A $10,000 check and more than 300 books poured in over the weekend to help fill the shelves of Kalani High School's library.

Robert Arakawa, 81, of Mo'ili'ili, wrote the big check after reading about the library's sad state. He said he felt he should do something, even though he has no direct connection to the school.

"The children need books to do research," Arakawa said. "The schools need help. I like to share my good fortune with others to make everyone happy. I try to do whatever I can."

Meanwhile, phones rang off the hook and e-mails poured in. It's that kind of spirit that has school librarian Anne Torige overwhelmed by the community's good will.

The Kahala Shell gas station said it would buy a multiple-volume science series. Other businesses and individuals have made offers of computers and cash.

The library has been infused with new life.

"I'm so lucky," Torige said. "It's like the best Christmas I've ever had."

Kalani High School has a near-empty library, with most of its books published 30 years ago. This summer, the librarian weeded out nearly 3,000 books because they were obsolete or eaten by worms.

Given the condition of the school's library, Torige, with the help of the parent organization, Kalani High Association, held a Bucks for Books drive at the Kahala Barnes & Noble book store last weekend.

So many people came to help that the store could barely keep books on the table, Torige said. Ten boxes of donated books were delivered to the school yesterday, worth about $7,000. Barnes & Noble agreed to donate an additional $2,500 to provide more books, Torige said.

"The community response was heartwarming," said principal Randiann Porras-Tang. "The community really cares about Kalani High School."

What books weren't purchased at the store, Torige said, she will be able to purchase with the cash donations once she takes stock of what has come in.

Parent volunteer Pearl Whittaker said she stopped by the book drive Saturday morning and couldn't believe how many books people had bought for the school library.

"It was so moving," Whittaker said. "Complete strangers, who have no connection to the school, wanted to do something. Parents of children, a wide range of people kept on coming to pick up a book off the table to buy them for the school."

Torige is eager to start cataloging and shelving her new books. "The real work is ahead," she said, "but, hey, it will be worth it."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.