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| David Reed | |
David Reed, publisher and co-owner of Petroglyph Press and Basically Books bookstore, Hilo, Hawaii, died August 2. He was 74. Born in Pennsylvania, Reed "grew up in a home where reading was valued," West Hawaii Today reported. His parents moved to Hilo in 1958 when Reed was a preteen. He eventually pursued his college education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Reed's mother, who had been a librarian in Pennsylvania, became the children's librarian at Hilo Public Library and founded Petroglyph Press in 1962.
Reed's wife and business partner, Christine Reed, posted on Facebook: "We had a great partnership for over 51 years in business, life, and love. His passion was the creation and publication of books about Hawaii, after he took over Petroglyph Press from his parents in 1974. He loved every aspect of the publishing process, from creation to manufacture, and was a true craftsman. Together we founded Basically Books in 1985."
Word of Reed's death "spread quickly, especially through the literary and arts communities, through both word of mouth and social media," West Hawaii Today noted.
"He was a longtime friend, a delightful fellow to hang out with, and an important figure in the literary life of Hilo," said Hal Glatzer, an author, musician, actor, playwright, and theatrical director.
Morgen Bahurinsky, a retired executive director of the Palace Theater who works at Basically Books, said Reed "was such an important person in the community..... It will be hard to be there knowing he'll never come walking in again."
Author Tom Peek told the Tribune-Herald that Reed will be "sorely missed by many, including me, each and every time I walk into Basically Books.... David Reed was a fixture in Hilo, not only as the owner of one of Hawaii's oldest publishing houses and independent bookstores, but as a welcome presence at countless community events for decades. David and his family have kept authentic island narratives--and the true spirit of Hawaii--alive and well for three generations, a contribution that cannot be overstated."
Kris Arnett, owner of Hilo Books, said, "I cannot express how much David and his wife perpetuated Hawaiian culture & publishing on the islands. Hilo is home to the world's largest Hula Festival, the Merrie Monarch. Every year, Basically Books hosted many events during that time as well. David's passing is a great loss to the book community in Hawaii."