Volcano Shelf Books

Volcano Shelf Books occupies a charming storefront on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo's bayfront district, where the sound of rain on the roof is as much a part of the atmosphere as the smell of books and Kona coffee. The store was founded in 2003 by a former park ranger at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the volcanology section remains the centerpiece of the collection, with titles ranging from accessible introductions to Kilauea's eruption history to dense scientific monographs on magma dynamics. The Hawaiian mythology section explores the stories of Pele, Hi'iaka, and the other deities whose presence is felt so powerfully on the Big Island. The astronomy shelf reflects Hilo's proximity to the observatories atop Mauna Kea, offering books on both the science and the cultural significance of the mountain. The tropical botany and local agriculture sections celebrate the extraordinary fertility of the Hilo coast, where everything from orchids to macadamia nuts flourishes in the abundant rainfall. A cozy cafe in the back serves locally grown coffee and fresh fruit smoothies, and the store hosts regular talks by volcanologists, astronomers, and cultural practitioners.