This article by Windward CC specialist librarian Cindy Texeira and her daughters, Kainani and ʻAulani Wagner, students in 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补’s Library and Information Science program, was first published in .
Academic libraries have long reflected Western models of knowledge and order through their values, systems, and structures. They can be sterile and intimidating places, especially for those whose histories and voices have been marginalized.
At Hale Laʻakea library at Windward Community College in ahupuaʻa Kāneʻohe, our goal is to create a space where Native Hawaiian students feel a sense of belonging—a place rooted in aloha ʻāina, ʻike kūpuna, and ea (sovereignty).
Decolonizing the library means acknowledging and undoing the colonial structures embedded in how we organize information, provide services, and occupy space. It is an ongoing process that requires us to question what voices are prioritized, who feels welcome in our spaces, and what cultural values are reflected or erased.
This fall, Hale Laʻakea will host a series of powerful activations (interactive exhibits) from Kanaeokana that invite patrons to connect, reflect, and engage in spaces of ea.
The first, “Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea,” is a digital journey through primary texts, visuals and audio centered on Kamehameha III and his vision of an independent lāhui. It highlights true historical accounts of his leadership and includes perspectives from both Kānaka and non-kanaka allies.
Next, “Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele,” explores Lahaina’s sacred history and cultural resilience. Learners will journey through moʻolelo and mele rooted in the legacy of Kihawahine, the shade of the ʻulu groves, and the call to restore wai and ea to Lele.
The final activation, “Luka Keʻelikōlani,” invites visitors into the world of Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani, also known as Luka or Ruta, an aliʻi wahine who embodied unwavering commitment to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, tradition, and her people.
Though she was trained in Western ways, she chose to speak only Hawaiian as an act of resistance and required those around her to do the same. This activation mirrors her firm stance. All content is presented in Hawaiian, with English translations available by QR code. The space invites us to ask, “He aha ka hana a Ruta? What would Ruth do?”
From August through November, these activations will rotate between the Windward CC, Honolulu Community College, and Kapiʻolani Community College libraries, allowing the broader community to engage in meaningful moments of learning and intention-setting. Contact each library for more information about dates/times.
Hale Laʻakea continues to evolve. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi was added to print and digital signage, art pieces throughout the library reflect Native Hawaiian voices, service-learning opportunities are offered through archival translation work and cultural exhibit development, and we hosted a Keiki Reading Day, welcoming ʻohana from our community to listen to moʻolelo from kūpuna and other Native Hawaiian storytellers.
Windward CC students can borrow cultural resources, including ʻukulele, ʻohe kāpala (kapa-making stamps), and traditional games like kōnane and hū. We are also in the planning stages of a lumi ?ohana, a space for parents and their keiki to read, study, and play together in a culturally grounded environment.