Master's Reading Room
		In the early 1830’s the captains had a meeting room in which there were publications, newspapers and writing materials. The exact location is not certain. Later the missionaries set up a temporary reading room, the successor of which caused them to resolve to build reading rooms for officers and for seamen. This resolution was passed in June of 1833 at a general meeting of the mission. The mission agreed to contribute $200 and then asked the public for additional support. Also, a written request, co-signed by missionaries Richards and Spaulding, was presented to the captains asking for gifts of any kind to further the endeavor. The response was heart warming. Some of the captains gave money, but gifts were interesting and varied such as: a looking glass, a pitcher, chairs, planks, a box of soap and a spy glass. However, the major and most lucrative gifts were bolts of cloth and barrels of whale oil. The oil was sold to light the lamps of Lahaina, and the missionary depository in Honolulu. Cloth was used to pay for labor. These two commodities alone contributed $534.50 with a piece of cloth (30 yards) figured at $7.50 and a barrel of whale oil at $15. With the $200 pledged by the mission the total cost of $709.20 was covered. Lava rock, coral to be cut into bricks, lime and sand were obtained locally. Some material for construction was imported and some was obtained from the Hana area. Hawaiians collected the lava rock and coral and did the masonry work. By May 27, 1834 the Master’s Reading Room was completed. The lower level was a storeroom; the upper level was exclusively for the comfort of masters and officers. At one side was an observatory from which they could observe the activities of the harbor. By 1835 a separate building had been completed for the sailors. These rooms were large and cool and visited at all hours of the day. The Master’s Reading Room, having been restored by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, is used for Board of Directors and appropriate community meetings.