The Library was named for Edwin H. Mookini, professor of mathematics at UH-Manoa and Chancellor of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo from 1975-1978. 

According to the Board of Regents' Committee on Physical Facilities and Planning, Dr. Mookini observed a "lack of an adequate library facility and equally inadequate library collections" when he arrived on the campus in 1975. He immediately remedied the situation by obtaining funds for additional volumes for the library in order to build its collections to a level that was acceptable to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Later, he obtained Capital Improvement Plan funds for a new library building. 

Dr. Mookini's efforts on building the library that now bears his name are appreciated each and every day by the faculty, students, and staff of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and Hawai'i Community College.