WORDS & PICTURES: Laura Jean
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Upon entering Talk Story Bookstore, the smell of worn pages and the glow of warm, ambient light wraps bibliophiles into a stupor we’re all familiar with. It’s that buzzy, unfocused feeling of overwhelm when there simply are too many pages to be read and bindings to be sifted through. Inside Talk Story’s quirky Wild West-Esque exterior, readers quietly drift through the bookstore’s new and used books, comic books, vinyl records, and collectibles. It’s hard to imagine that so many treasures were sourced directly from the tiny Hawaiian garden isle of Kauai.
Those who love a good page-turner might find themselves in a pickle when searching for a beach read while visiting tropical Kauai. For almost ten years, Talk Story was the only bookstore on the island. Even today, it’s one of the very few indie bookstores in the Hawaiian islands.
With a strong focus on Hawaiiana, many of Talk Story Bookstore’s shelves are lined with books ranging from historical nonfiction documenting the Kingdom of Hawaii to ancient poetry, antiques, and rare titles that spotlight Hawaiian culture and history. Additionally, the bookstore’s name itself is a call to a Hawaiian pidgin phrase meaning “to chitchat.” The love and devotion to Hawaiiana and native literature emanate through each stacked aisle.
“Honestly, it amazes us what ends up here. Over the years we have come across some rather fascinating titles,” says Talk Story’s owner, Ed Justus. “On occasion, estates will contact us regarding the collections that they are parting with. Kindly, people want to make sure that their books find good homes with people who will appreciate their value… and they see that our store is the kind of venue for that.”
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As the westernmost bookstore in the US, Talk Story Bookstore has been a magnet for locals and tourists since it opened its doors in 2004. Ed’s humble beginnings make the business all the more charming; originally from Virginia, Ed visited Kauai just like any other tourist in 2002. It didn’t take long for him to realize the island would be his newfound home.
“The store began when a landlord couple offered me a retail space free for a month to start a business,” Ed explains. “At the time, I was reselling things on eBay for a living, so I moved all my inventory into the space. With a thousand used books and a variety of other eclectic vintage merchandise, it seemed only natural for the business to be a bookstore.”
Since that original leap of faith taken by the building’s landlords, the bookstore’s 18-year evolution has developed into a fully fledged bibliophile magnet for locals and travelers alike. With around 150,000 titles for sale and Celeste, the store’s world-beloved fluffy white “cat boss,” prowling its aisles… how could you not fall for Talk Story’s curious charm?
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Unless you’re familiar with Talk Story’s exterior, you might completely overlook it as a country-western general store. It’s a building that dates back to the 1930s, but recalls a different time of Americana. The eccentric Wild West, plantation-style architecture fits the bill for an old country film; an oddity for sure, but one that makes the character of the bookstore all the more quirky.
Nestled in the small town of Hanapepe, one of two towns on Kauai that were founded by entrepreneurs and not by sugar cane companies, Talk Story Bookstore is just one of many local small businesses that bejewel the streets with one-of-a-kind finds and local artistry. The “Old Town” of Hanapepe dates back to the early 1930s, and its country-western appearance captures the essence of Kauai’s old world, filled with historical character.
“In a way, that small business spirit has always been what helps to make Hanapepe the genuine place that it is,” says Ed. “The shops you find are uniquely their own thing, and [are] often operated by the owners themselves, or are directly involved in what you experience. It’s a cool place.”
For the bibliophile visiting the lush jungles and sandy shorelines of Kauai, Talk Story Bookstore is a mecca unlike anything else on the island. Consider this your sign to bookmark (pun intended) this hub of tomes and trinkets for your next tropical getaway to the islands of Hawaii.
