Not Jersey and I flew to Maui for a long weekend. After securing our rental car, I asked Not Jersey if he wanted to check out a used book store near the airport. He agreed.
Our destination was MFOL (Maui Friends of the Library) Used Bookstore in Puunene. I asked Google Maps for directions and began navigation. This bookstore is only a few minutes from the airport, but it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. We drove down empty roads and past abandoned buildings.
For me, phone navigation is never more confusing than when I am 300 ft from a corner. As we drew closer to the MFOL Used Bookstore, we saw the Puunene School, but not a book store. The end dot looked close by, but it wasn’t on a discernible road. My heart raced. I felt a sinking feeling of shame that I had just led Not Jersey on a wild-goose-chase to find books ... on Maui. But when I looked up from my phone, I saw a sign that said books with an arrow. "Follow the sign," I said.
Not Jersey navigated the Lincoln down the red dirt roads past many abandoned buildings. Luckily, the signs for books continued to point the way. After a few moments, we arrived at our destination.
Let me tell you, this used book store did not disappoint. It was clean and organized and full of books. Most of the books were a quarter. Some of the newer titles were $3-6.
The bookstore was staffed by polite volunteers. Although, they seemed a bit overwhelmed by the volume of donations. I overheard one volunteer saying she was taking a wagon load of books to 'the warehouse."
Tempted as I was to fill my carry on bag full of $0.25 books, this was our first stop on the trip, and I didn't want to limit what I could buy at other stores. I purchased two books and a Harry Potter journal for a grand total of $0.75. Not Jersey purchased a few books too.
The MFOL had other stores on the island. We missed the one in Lahaina. We did visit the Kahului store was in a shopping mall and, although they had a $1 rack, their prices were a bit higher $3 and up. $3 for a used book, is better than Big Island prices.
Friday night we met up with Not Jersey's friend "Maui O'Brien" who was also a huge fan of the MFOL. O'Brien said the Puunene location was the best. He had volunteered for the MFOL's as a teen, and was adamant that the MFOL needed a website with an inventory.
If you love books and you visit Maui, you should definitely visit one or all of the MFOL locations. If you want a gentrified experience, go to the Kahului location. If you want the wild-wild-west experience, visit the Puunene location. Just be sure you leave plenty of room in your suitcase to bring home all your new books!
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