A rare century-old collection of South Asian lithographs and manuscripts is now available online to researchers and the public through the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , with the launch of its .

Created in 1903 by Atul K. Basu, the collection includes 35 lithographic prints and three typed manuscripts documenting Hindu mythology and religious narratives. Twenty-nine of the lithographs feature Bengali text with handwritten pencil transliterations, adding another layer of historical significance.

Collaboration, technological advances

The digitization project brought together librarians, archivists, technologists and students across Hamilton Library.

“Working on this project was my first experience contributing to the creation of a digital collection and a meaningful opportunity to apply metadata and collaboration in practice,” library and information science intern Munju Kim said.

Kim helped digitize the collection and developed its descriptive materials under the mentorship of IT Specialist Alisa Kwok, who led the digitization effort.

Metadata Librarian Stasha Gardasevic said the project also explored new technological approaches for digital collections.

“This project served as an excellent testbed for exploring the use of AI in supporting digital collections discovery with the transcription of non-Latin scripts,” Gardasevic said. “Gemini Pro did an excellent job interpreting Bengali script.”

Web Developer and Digital Collections Manager Daniel Ishimitsu helped publish the collection online, while Monica Ghosh, chair of the Asia Collection and South Asia Studies librarian, contributed language expertise and subject knowledge throughout the project.

The digital collection is expected to support future research in Hindu mythology, South Asian religious traditions, art history and visual culture.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 selected four graduate students as recipients of the , which support original research and creative projects using the library鈥檚 archival and special collections.

This year鈥檚 scholars represent the fields of linguistics, natural resources and environmental management and history. Their projects explore topics including Micronesian languages, trans-Pacific ethnobiological knowledge, public health in modern China and the early development of Japanese aviation.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

• Kelsey Bialo, a linguistics doctoral student, for the project “Exploring Minor Syllables and Sesquisyllabicity in Micronesian languages”
• Kelsie Kuniyoshi, a natural resources and environmental management doctoral student, for the project “Pilina Inoa: An Exploration of Trans-Pacific Ethnobiological Knowledge Through the Samuel Elbert Collection”
• SeungHyeon Pyo, a history doctoral student, for the project “Hijacking the Invisible Hand: The Language of Markets and Corporate Incubation of Early Japanese Aviation”
• Sijian Wang, a history doctoral student, for the project “Living with Toxicity: Chemical Disinfectants in China, 1910–1950”

Open to students from any discipline and level of study, the Library Treasures program encourages the use of archival materials, rare collections, maps, manuscripts, government documents, audiovisual resources and digital collections housed at Hamilton Library.

have examined topics connected to Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, Asia and global history and culture using collections such as the Hawaiʻi Sugar Plantation Archives, Tahitian newspapers and Okinawan magazines.

Scholarship recipients will present their work during a public event in the fall.

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Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, Jaydee Ah Sing’s decision to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo wasn’t just a choice—it was a calling. A proud graduate of 奥补颈腻办别补 High School, Ah Sing is deeply rooted in her community.

“I only applied to 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo,” she shared with a laugh. “I love it here in Hawaiʻi, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

This spring, Ah Sing crosses the stage as a Chancellor Scholar, graduating with a bachelor of arts in and an certificate. Her journey demonstrates the profound impact of 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo’s close-knit academic environment, where local students can flourish and give back to the very islands that raised them.

Turning point

Ah Sing’s path shifted from pediatric medicine to education after discovering she was uneasy around blood. Her mentors, professors Kerri Inglis and Michele Ebersole, helped guide her to her true passion. She ultimately pursued history, leaning into her deep love for the subject.

Her dedication has led to remarkable achievements. Ah Sing recently won the Best Undergraduate Paper Prize at the Phi Alpha Theta regional conference in Hawaiʻi. Her senior thesis challenged established narratives about the iconic Kalaupapa Lighthouse. After a profound field study experience in Kalaupapa with Inglis, Ah Sing discovered moʻolelo (stories) of 叠辞办颈办奴尘补苍辞尘补苍辞, a shape-shifting dog protector of the peninsula.

Meet more amazing 糖心Vlog官方 graduates

“There was this entire history that people of Molokaʻi seem to know about, but others don’t get to experience because it had been displaced by this western form of historiography, which is history written by historians,” explained Ah Sing, who went to Kalaupapa over Spring Break and discovered evidence of the remnants of a heiau honoring Boki.

Service driven

Ah Sing’s passion for Hawaiian history and education translates directly into her career goals. Since high school, she has worked as a paraprofessional tutor at Keaʻau Elementary School, serving underprivileged students.

“I want to be the kind of teacher who goes above and beyond for my students,” she said.

She won’t have to wait long to achieve that dream. This July, Ah Sing will begin the at 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo.

For more, go to .

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (CSEAS) brought history into sharp focus with a visit from Devaki Murch, a Vietnam War adoptee whose life now shapes how that history is remembered.

As a baby, Murch was part of Operation Babylift, a U.S.-led effort to evacuate children from Vietnam at the end of the war. The first flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Saigon on April 4, 1975. Of the 314 people aboard, 150 survived. Murch was one of them.

At 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, students, alumni and community members gathered on March 3 in Moore Hall to hear her story. But the talk went beyond survival. It asked a deeper question, who gets to tell history, and how?

Tien Nguyen, a master鈥檚 student in , said the lecture connected personal memory with lived experience.

“The fact that Devaki Murch boarded the first babylift flight and survived the fateful plane crash makes her journey even more magical,” Nguyen said. “One thing prevails, as we are all humans who have survived thus far despite the odds, we should feel empowered to do the things we love, regardless of our backgrounds.”

Active participation in the historical record

Murch drew from her work building the . She urged students to see themselves as active participants in shaping the historical record. Today鈥檚 research and digital footprints, she said, will become tomorrow鈥檚 archives, often without context or consent.

“Traditional archives ask people to trust systems that have already failed them,” Murch said. “Sealed records, classified documentation, institutional protection over individual truth. We needed a different approach.”

Raised in Hawaiʻi, Murch鈥檚 story resonated locally. Her lecture tied global conflict to familiar questions about memory, military presence and accountability.

A recent public talk at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 shed light on the decades-long fight for justice by Filipino veterans of World War II and the role of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye in advocating for their rights.

On February 27, Colin Moore, associate professor in the College of Social Sciences, presented “Soldiers of a Forgotten Empire: Filipino Veterans and the Politics of Denial,” exploring how more than 200,000 Filipino veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces were denied promised benefits under the Rescission Act of 1946.

His talk examined the plight of Filipino veterans within the broader context of U.S. imperialism and the Cold War, while tracing Inouye’s decades-long efforts to secure justice. Letters written by veterans to Inouye reveal their frustration, anger and disappointment.

Moore’s work draws from extensive archival research, including visits to the National Archives and Records Administration, the Clinton Presidential Library, and the Daniel K. Inouye Papers housed in Hamilton Library’s .

The presentation was followed by a discussion among in-person and Zoom attendees, many of whom had personal connections to Filipino veterans who struggled to access promised benefits.

Neil Abercrombie, 糖心Vlog官方 Regent and former governor, shared his perspective on advocating for Inouye’s redress legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. are also available to researchers at Hamilton Library.

The hybrid event was organized by the and co-sponsored by 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and the Daniel K. Inouye Institute (DKI). Moore’s research is part of the , supported by the Inouye Institute.

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A globally respected historian from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has earned one of the highest honors in her field, recognizing decades of scholarship that reshaped how the world understands Southeast Asia.

Professor emerita Barbara Watson Andaya received the from the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), a leading international organization dedicated to advancing research and teaching on Asia.

Andaya is widely known for her work on early modern Southeast Asia. Over the course of her career, her research has significantly influenced how historians interpret the region鈥檚 history and cultural development.

“Professor Barbara Andaya has been a true academic treasure to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 during her career, and we are absolutely delighted to see her hard work and devotion recognized by our international association,” said Miriam Stark, director of the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 .

Early Path

Known to many as “Barb,” Andaya grew up in Sydney, Australia. With parents involved in science and academia, she developed an early interest in education and research. She earned degrees in history and education from the University of Sydney and began her professional career as a high school teacher.

A shift in curriculum eventually brought her to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, where she completed her master鈥檚 degree in Southeast Asian history as an East-West Center fellow. She later joined the faculty and was promoted to full professor in 1996.

Research Impact

Her scholarly expertise centers on the Malay-Indonesian world. Since 2014, she has published more than 30 works, including , which was recognized as an outstanding academic title. She also served as director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies from 2000 to 2006.

糖心Vlog官方 Press Honors

The recognition comes alongside additional accolades tied to 糖心Vlog官方. Two titles from the books, and , received 2026 Association for Asian Studies prizes.

Deep cultural ties between Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia were highlighted during French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson鈥檚 visit to the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 on February 25.

While in Honolulu for , hosted by the East-West Center, Brotherson made time to connect with 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, including a visit to the library鈥檚 internationally recognized collections.

Pacific Collection librarians Eleanor Kleiber and Stu Dawrs, along with Hawaiian Collection Librarian and department chair Jodie Mattos, showcased rare and historic materials related to French Polynesia. Items included: 18th-century works from Captain Cook鈥檚 voyages, 1844 correspondence from the Queen of Tahiti to King Kamehameha III, signed editions of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 Story by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and two editions of Brotherson鈥檚 own novel, Le Roi absent (The Missing King).

“It was an honor to welcome President Brotherson, and a joy for us to share items from our collections that highlight the historical and cultural connections between Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia,” said Kleiber. “He seemed to appreciate seeing these items our library has curated to represent the strong connections between our islands.”

University Librarian Clem Guthro added, “Our collections are vast, global and contain a multitude of treasures that support research, scholarship and teaching. Welcoming visitors from abroad to our collections extends their global reach. 糖心Vlog官方ors like President Brotherson become our ambassadors; sharing their experiences with our library when they return home, and knowing we are a resource to them.”

Brotherson has served as president since 2023 and is known for promoting sustainable development, cultural preservation and regional cooperation across the Pacific.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 celebrated the legacy of renowned alumna Alice Augusta Ball at the annual recognition ceremony on February 26. This year鈥檚 event was especially meaningful, as her discovery dubbed the “Ball Method” treatment for Hansen鈥檚 disease has been designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Spearheaded by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of the President and the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Office of the Provost with support from various campus and community partners, the ceremony invited the campus community to the chaulmoogra tree on the ma uka side of Bachman Hall, where a plaque honors Ball鈥檚 legacy.

The event began with an oli led by the Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience鈥檚 Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Coordinator.

Emcee LaJoya Shelly, a lecturer in ethnic studies and educational administration, led the event. 糖心Vlog官方 President Wendy Hensel was among several distinguished speakers who commemorated Ball.

“She鈥檚 a true role model for all of us,” said Hensel, “Every year is exciting because she鈥檚 such an incredible trailblazer, and to be able to recognize her repeatedly for those contributions is always really special.”

Hensel also read Gov. Josh Green鈥檚 official proclamation declaring February 28, 2026, as Alice Augusta Ball Day.

Long-awaited official recognition

Katrina-Ann Kap膩 Oliveira, Interim Vice Provost for Student Success, presented the National Historic Chemical Landmark Designation on behalf of ACS President Rigoberto Hernandez.

“This landmark dedication reflects ACS‘s commitment to honoring chemists like Ball whose discoveries have improved countless lives,” read Oliveira. “The National Historic Chemical Landmarks program preserves and promotes these histories so that present and future generations can understand the transformative power of chemistry.”

In 2024, the American Chemical Society approved the nomination—submitted by David Lassner, 糖心Vlog官方 president emeritus, and Paul Wermager, retired department head of science and technology at Hamilton Library—to award the National Historic Chemical Landmark designation to Ball for her technique of isolating ethyl esterification from the fatty acids of chaulmoogra oil so it could be effectively administered to Hansen鈥檚 disease patients by injection.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Sculpture honors pioneering scientist Alice Ball

This isolation technique, later called the “Ball Method,” was the first successful treatment for Hansen鈥檚 disease that was used on thousands of patients around the world until the introduction of sulfone drugs in the mid-1940s.

The Ball Method was used to treat patients in Kalaupapa, permitting them to return to their families after being banished to isolation facilities on the remote Molokaʻi peninsula. This treatment was the difference between a life of discomfort and isolation, and a life of fulfillment and connection with family and community.

Inspiring future generations of scientists

Ball was the first woman and first African-American to graduate from the College of Hawaiʻi—now known as the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补—with a master鈥檚 degree in chemistry. Ball had also become the first African American female chemistry instructor and department head.

“What inspires me really, especially during Black History Month, is her being a black woman in STEM,” said Raven Kelley, the student speaker for the Black Student Association, “When we look at U.S. history, women in STEM, in general, rarely ever get the recognition that they truly deserve.”

Ball died on December 31, 1916, at the age of 24, before publishing her groundbreaking work. More than a century later, the university remains committed to honoring her legacy.

“As a black woman in STEM myself, it gives me a sense of pride and honor to see her truly recognized for her work,” said Kelley.

Other program speakers included Phillip Williams, interim dean and professor of chemistry at the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 College of Natural Sciences; Diana Felton, chief of the Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division at the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health; and DeGray Vanderbilt of Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa.

The ceremony was followed by the annual Alice Augusta Ball Remembrance Walk, led by Sister Circle at 惭腻苍辞补 and Native Hawaiian Student Services, which included a trip to Hamilton Library to see the life-sized bronze bust of Alice Ball. The walk ended at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services for a screening of The Ball Method film.

鈥攂y Josslyn Rose

Nearly 90 years after it was first built, is undergoing renovations transforming the historic University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 campus landmark to update its aging infrastructure, while preserving its historical significance.

Current renovations include updating all bathrooms, the addition of lactation rooms and exterior courtyard repairs.

“It was always our priority to keep the building open,” said Eddie Robles, the director of Student Life Business Services at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. “Especially since it鈥檚 made to be a place to support students, we didn鈥檛 want to completely close Hemenway for a year or more.”

Because it was a priority for the building to remain open during construction, renovations are being completed in phases to minimize disruptions. Portable restrooms have also been installed to allow contractors to renovate all restroom facilities simultaneously, a move intended to speed up overall completion.

The renovation also includes energy-efficient upgrades with the installation of LED lights and updated water fixtures. Nearly all windows are being replaced, though several historically significant windows will be restored.

Because Hemenway Hall is part of the , funding for the renovation comes entirely from student fees allocated through the Campus Center Board.

“This is a major reinvestment by the Campus Center Board to upgrade and improve student life here on campus,” Robles said.

The history behind the hall

Named after 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents Chair Charles Reed Hemenway, who was known for being a strong student advocate, the building was designed as the campus鈥� student union building and intended to promote student voices and engagement.

Built in 1938, Hemenway Hall also played a role in national history. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the building was designated as an evacuation center. During World War II, it was also used by the U.S. Armed Forces Institute, highlighting its place in the wartime transformation of the campus.

Today, the hall continues to serve its original purpose as a hub of student life. It houses KT糖心Vlog官方, the university鈥檚 student-led radio station; Ka Leo, the campus newspaper; 糖心Vlog官方 Productions; Hawaiʻi Review; the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 dental hygiene clinic; and the Graduate Student Organization.

“Even today, so many decades after Hemenway was opened, we try to honor its original purpose of serving students,” said Mandy Westfall-Senda, the director of the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Office of Student Life and Development.

As renovations continue to update interior and exterior spaces, Hemenway Hall continues to uphold its original mission as a center for student life, amplifying student voices.

—By Grant Nakasone

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu visited the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 on January 23, for an official tour of the library鈥檚 , offering a close look at rare materials that illuminate centuries of Philippine history and global connections.

Led by Philippine Consul General Arman Talbo, who took office in March 2025, the delegation of 17 consulate staff members was guided by Philippine Studies Librarian Elena Clariza through selections from the Philippine Rare Collections. Highlights included rare maps of the Philippines dating from the 1500s to the 1700s, Philippine Revolutionary Papers from the Spanish colonial period in the 1800s, and a U.S. military photo album documenting Samar Island in the 1940s.

The Samar album is a joint acquisition of Hamilton Library鈥檚 Russian Collection and Philippine Collection. It documents daily life on the island and U.S. naval operations during World War II, while also reflecting Samar鈥檚 unexpected global ties. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the island later became a refuge for an estimated 6,000 White Russians—the deposed czar鈥檚 supporters who opposed the Red Soviets and fled Russia after World War II.

Talbo described the visit as “calm, inspiring, and quietly powerful,” noting the personal resonance of the materials. He shared that he may have identified a long-lost ancestor while viewing photographs in the Samar album.

The visit highlighted the international significance of Hamilton Library鈥檚 Philippine Collection and its role in preserving and providing access to historical materials that deepen understanding of Philippine history and its global intersections.

Read more at .

After touring three University of Hawaiʻi community colleges last fall, —interactive exhibits exploring sovereignty and life force—are expanding across 糖心Vlog官方 libraries statewide this spring. Developed by , a network of Hawaiian language, culture and ʻ腻颈苍补-based education organizations, the exhibits will rotate through , , , and from January through early April.

The exhibits center on Hawaiian history, while inviting communities to actively engage with ea (life, air, breath, sovereignty, rural, independence). This semester marks the first time the activations will rotate simultaneously across multiple islands, amplifying messages of ea and aloha ʻ腻颈苍补 (love of the land) while uplifting Hawaiian history, culture and language.

The initiative began during a K奴kalahale E Hoʻi N膩 Wai culture-based professional development training, where Windward CC librarians explored ways to indigenize library spaces. The idea quickly spread across the 糖心Vlog官方 system, evolving into a coordinated, multi-campus effort.

“I was so inspired by the campus libraries tour last semester that I wanted to make sure that every 糖心Vlog官方 library had an opportunity to showcase the beautiful activations and educate our communities that the ea of this ʻ腻颈苍补 still exists through our history, culture and language,” said Kawena Komeiji, Hawaiian initiatives librarian at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Hamilton Library.

The exhibit, which toured , and in the fall, is made possible through partnerships with and Kanaeokana.

Exhibit dates and locations

Ka L膩 Kealaiwikuamoʻo Ea and Ka L膩 碍奴ʻ辞办辞ʻ补 – A journey centered on Kamehameha III and his vision of an independent l膩hui (group):

• January 12 – February 6: 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Hamilton Library, 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Campbell Library
• February 9 – March 6: Kauaʻi CC Library, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Moʻokini Library

Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele – Explores Lahaina鈥檚 sacred history and cultural resilience:

• February 9 – March 6: 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Hamilton Library, 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Campbell Library
• March 9 – April 3: Kauaʻi CC Library, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College

Ruth 碍别ʻ别濒颈办艒濒补苍颈 – Honors Princess Ruth Keanolani Kan膩hoahoa 碍别ʻ别濒颈办艒濒补苍颈 and her commitment to ʻ艒濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), tradition and her people:

• January 12 – February 6: Kauaʻi CC Library, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College
• February 6 – March 6: 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo Moʻokini Library
• March 9 – April 3: 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Hamilton Library, 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Campbell Library

Seven University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (ROTC) cadets from World War II were posthumously commissioned as second lieutenants on January 26, honoring their leadership, courage and sacrifice during a ceremony at Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial State Park. The event, led by the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and supported by the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation, formally recognized the cadets contributions more than 80 years after their service.

The cadets honored were Staff Sgt. Grover Nagiji; Sgt. Howard Urabe; Sgt. Robert Murata; Sgt. Jenhatsu Chinen; Sgt. Daniel Betsui; Pfc. Hiroichi Tomita; and Pvt. Akio Nishikawa. Lt. Col. Jerrod Melander, who formerly led 糖心Vlog官方驶蝉 ROTC program, began the long-awaited commissioning effort in 2023, with the cadets promotions finalized in 2025.

The cadets paths to commissioning were delayed following the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Determined to serve, they volunteered for service in the U.S. Army 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), one of the most decorated units in U.S. Army history. All seven were killed in action in Europe.

“Today at this ceremony, we honor legacy,” said Gen. Ronald P. Clark, commanding general of USARPAC. “These soldiers upheld Army values under extraordinary circumstances, and todays commissioning honors their service and preserves their legacy for future generations.”

A lasting legacy at 糖心Vlog官方

Laura Lyons, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 interim vice provost for academic excellence, attended the ceremony on behalf of the university.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Fallen warriors awarded posthumous degrees

“The posthumous commissioning of these ROTC cadets is the last piece in fully acknowledging and honoring their service and ultimately the sacrifice of life that they each made on the European battlefield during World War II. It is humbling at this moment to consider how their beliefs in the ideal of freedom proved greater than their experience of institutional discrimination,” she said.

Family members and community representatives also attended. “Here it is over 80 years later, and to see my uncle get recognized, I am very proud of him,” said Clifford Urabe, nephew of Lt. Howard Urabe.

In 2012, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 awarded the cadets posthumous bachelors degrees, and their commissioning now formally honors their legacy.

Read more from the website.

More than 12,000 people attended The Wall That Heals traveling exhibit during its display at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Great Lawn in January. The three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., along with a mobile education center, served as a powerful gathering space for the community to learn, remember and share.

The Wall That Heals, a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), honors the more than three million Americans who served in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Ken Inouye, assistant to the vice chancellor for administration at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu, was part of the team that helped bring the exhibit to campus and found the experience deeply moving. He noted that unlike the quiet, often solitary nature of the D.C. memorial, the atmosphere at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu fostered spontaneous connection and sharing.

Place of healing

“Seeing the effect it has had within our community has been humbling, and the way people just spontaneously shared their stories with me and others was clearly healing,” Inouye said. “People who came to visit The Wall That Heals immediately sensed that everyone there was of the same community.”

Inouye is the son of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, who served in the U.S. Army鈥檚 442nd Regimental Combat Team, one of the most decorated military units in U.S. history.

“A woman and her husband approached me to ask for directions and then started talking to me about the Wall,” he said. “After about five minutes of us talking about family members who had served in the military, she realized that her uncle and my father had served together in World War II.”

Nearly 400 volunteers and more than 20 community partners contributed to the event. The display at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu was the first stop of the VVMF鈥檚 2026 The Wall That Heals . The exhibit will visit a total of 31 communities in 2026.

For more visit .
—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 will receive the collections of the Hawai驶i Tenri Library—one of North America鈥檚 largest Japanese-language community libraries—after its closure on December 13, 2025 after more than four decades of serving Hawaiʻi鈥檚 Japanese-language readers. The collections will be processed and made available for research and learning.

Japan studies librarian, Mitsutaka Nakamura, was invited to speak at the closing ceremony, reflecting on the library鈥檚 legacy and its continued impact through preservation and access.

“I have lived in the United States for the past 20 years—on the East Coast, the West Coast, and in the Midwest. Yet I have seldom seen a library serving the local community so dedicated to Japanese-language resources,” Nakamura said. “While it is painful to see the library close, I am confident these materials will continue to serve 糖心Vlog官方 and our community for many years.”

A legacy of Japanese-language collections

When the library opened in 1980 on Nu驶uanu Avenue, it welcomed about 100 guests, including the Consul General of Japan and 糖心Vlog官方 faculty specializing in Japanese literature. Over time, its holdings expanded to nearly 50,000 volumes, with monthly patron visits peaking at around 700. An extended closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with demographic shifts and a declining number of Japanese-language readers, ultimately led to the decision to close.

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The mobile exhibit, , which features a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is coming to Oʻahu. It will be on display January 14–19 at the Great Lawn of the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu in Kapolei. The exhibit, which also includes a mobile Education Center, honors the more than 3 million Americans who served and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day until it is dismantled on January 19.

“After 30 years displaying in communities throughout the United States, few communities have worked as hard as Kapolei to host The Wall That Heals,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the nonprofit that founded The Wall. “Our events in Hilo and Maui were incredible, and we鈥檙e excited to bring the exhibit to Oʻahu.”

Community impact

Local efforts were championed by Vietnam veteran Eddie Freeman, co-chair of The Wall That Heals 鈥� Oʻahu. He noted that his past experience on other islands “deepened my resolve to bring this powerful memorial to Oʻahu. The selection of Kapolei, Hawaiʻi, by VVMF stands as one of the most significant events for the community in 2026.”

A related showing of “Ah Quon McElrath: The Struggle Never Ends” will be held 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on January 16, at the ʻUluʻulu film screening room in the James & Abigail Campbell Library. Presented by the Center for Labor Education and Research, the event will include comments from filmmakers Chris Conybeare and Joy Chong-Stannard on the film’s connection to the Vietnam War and today, along with a historical exhibit.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is giving readers and researchers a window into Hawaiʻi鈥檚 Nisei experience by acquiring the archives of Milton Murayama (1923–2016). Murayama, a Maui-born Nisei author, playwright and MIS veteran, captured the struggles and triumphs of Japanese American families through his novels and plays.

, available in the library and online, includes drafts of novels, short stories and plays, unpublished works, correspondence, photos and other materials.

Murayama is best known for his novel tetralogy All I Asking for Is My Body (1975), Five Years on a Rock (1994), Plantation Boy (1998) and Dying in a Strange Land (2008), which fictionalize his family鈥檚 emigration from Japan and life on a Maui sugar plantation.

“We were honored to partner with Dawn Murayama [the author鈥檚 wife] in preserving Milton Murayama鈥檚 tremendous legacy, which will enrich the social, intellectual and cultural fabric of our community for generations to come,” said Leilani Dawson, manuscript collections archivist.

Dawn Murayama donated his papers along with a gift to support the archive鈥檚 work.

“My late aunt dedicated her life to her husband鈥檚 work. She wanted to be sure it was preserved and made accessible to future writers and researchers,” said grand-nephew David Wakukawa. “It鈥檚 important because it brings to life the Japanese American immigration experience of coming to Hawaiʻi.”

Project archivist Tiffany Zarriello spent months processing, digitizing and organizing the collection. “Throughout this project, it has been an absolute joy and privilege to get to know Milton Murayama through the documents he鈥檚 left behind,” she said. (.)

The collection is now available online, with some materials requiring library access. Contact archives@hawaii.edu for details.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 joined a global network of leading research libraries with the opening of its Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies (TRCCS) on November 17. As the 55th overseas partner in Taiwan鈥檚 National Central Library (NCL) TRCCS program, Hamilton Library expands its international collaborations and access to resources supporting China and Taiwan studies.

Through the partnership, NCL provides Taiwan-published monographs, digital archives, bibliographic databases and other scholarly resources. Hamilton Library has already added nearly 400 titles to its collections and now offers full access to NCL鈥檚 electronic resources.

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos highlighted the significance of the partnership during the opening ceremony event. “This collaboration will foster new opportunities for dialogue, scholarship and exchange for years to come,” he said.

NCL Director-General Han-Ching Wang, who traveled from Taipei for the ceremony, emphasized the shared role of Taiwan and Hawaiʻi in the Pacific. “We aim to build upon this TRCCS to strengthen the academic connection between Taiwan and Hawaiʻi,” she said.

The opening also builds on a relationship that stretches back to the 1960s, when early East–West Center exchanges helped shape Hamilton鈥檚 China Collection. Recent discussions led to formal invitations in 2024 and this fall鈥檚 launch.

A delegation from NCL toured Hamilton鈥檚 collections, which included a plaque unveiling, signing of partnership agreements and exchange of gifts.

“The TRCCS aligns with our mission to foster international scholarship and build meaningful collaborations that benefit our students and faculty,” said University Librarian Clem Guthro.

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The ancestor spirit represents my deep appreciation to my ancestors, who I feel are always guiding me in life.
—King James Mangoba ()

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Hamilton Library鈥檚 and the Center for Philippine Studies at the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 opened , an exhibition linking 1500s colonial maps with tattoos as living archives of Filipino cultural memory, on view through February 2026.

Opening events, held October 15–17, drew more than 100 participants for workshops, talks and live tattoo demonstrations. Attendees explored how Filipinos have used body art and the written word to resist erasure—from rare 16th-century maps and letters from the Philippine Revolution to underground newspapers from the Marcos era, all part of Hamilton鈥檚 Philippine Collection.

Mapping identity through body and archive

Philippine Studies Librarian Elena Clariza opened the program with a presentation on early colonial maps, connecting “fragile maps on paper with living maps of the body—tattoos as archives of ancestral knowledge and cultural memory.”

Guest artists from California鈥檚 Spiritual Journey Tattoo Shop and members of Tatak ng Apat na Alon (Mark of the Four Waves) demonstrated traditional hand poke and tapping tattoo techniques, sharing their nearly 30-year effort to revive Indigenous Filipino tattoo practices.

“In the beginning it was just for us to find our identity, to represent the culture in some way,” said Elle Festin, tattoo artist at Spiritual Journey and a Datu (chief) of the Mark of the Four Waves tribe. “It鈥檚 important to get the tattoos to show the resistance and to revolt against the systematic colonial mentality.”

糖心Vlog官方 community connects to heritage

For King James Mangoba, a 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 double major in communication & marketing and Hamilton Library social media content creator, the event was a personal and cultural milestone.

“The rice symbolizes my family鈥檚 livelihood of rice farming back in the Philippines. The ancestor spirit represents my deep appreciation to my ancestors, who I feel are always guiding me in life,” he said. “This tattoo is a permanent reminder of where I came from and my appreciation to my ancestors who came before me.”

Doctoral candidate Matthew Melendez, from the , participated in the tattoo sessions. “Receiving knowledge from the Tatak ng Apat na Alon tribe through our cultural portal of batok (tattooing) has profoundly transformed me from within,” he said.

The event was co-sponsored by 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Center for Southeast Asian Studies and Center for Philippine Studies, and Spiritual Journey Tattoo Shop. To support programs like this at Hamilton Library, visit the .

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Mark of the Four Waves members visit the Philippine Studies section at Hamilton Library.The post Exhibit links Filipino tattoos, maps across centuries first appeared on University of Hawai驶i System News.]]> 225411 /news/2025/11/10/fulbright-scholars-bridge-cultures-through-research-teaching/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:18:03 +0000 /news/?p=225144 Nakota DiFonzo and Kaia Colborne share how their Fulbright U.S. Student Awards have expanded their academic and cultural horizons across the globe.

Reading time: 2 minutes

As the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 celebrates International Education Week from November 17 to 21, a current 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 student and alumna are reflecting on how their have expanded their academic and cultural horizons across the globe.

Exploring Taiwan鈥檚 archives, culture

For PhD candidate Nakota DiFonzo, the Fulbright experience has taken him to Taiwan, where he鈥檚 conducting archival research for his dissertation on the history of American education in late Qing and Republican-era China. Based at Academia Sinica in Taipei, one of East Asia鈥檚 leading research centers, DiFonzo said the experience has been both academically productive and personally enriching.

“My experience in Taiwan has been great so far,” DiFonzo said. “I am in the company of a great cohort whose research ranges from history to furniture design to medicine. Everyone is supportive of one another, and I have made valuable connections with leaders and rising stars in various fields.”

Beyond research, DiFonzo has embraced local culture by joining a language exchange club in Taipei. Weekend potlucks and casual gatherings, he said, have helped him improve his Chinese language skills and better understand Taiwanese perspectives. He鈥檚 also started producing street interview videos to further engage with the community and refine his speaking skills.

Empowering Colombian students through English teaching

Recent 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 history graduate Kaia Colborne spent the past year in Bogot谩, Colombia, as a Fulbright English teaching assistant (ETA). Her work focused on teaching English to university students and leading conversation clubs to build confidence and fluency.

“Living in Bogot谩 has been a huge highlight,” Colborne said. “It鈥檚 a wonderful city with so much to explore, and having other ETAs here has created a great support network. I found meaning and growth in my time in Colombia.”

Colborne said her time in Colombia deepened her appreciation for international education and reaffirmed her desire to help students experience transformative learning abroad.

“The experience has strengthened my commitment to working in the international sphere (ideally in international higher ed) and helped me have a better insight into cross-cultural exchange,” she added.

Both scholars credit 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Fulbright Program Adviser Kristen Connors for her guidance during the application process—a common thread in their journeys toward global engagement.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program will host an information session for students interested in the program on November 17 at 11 a.m. HST. . The webinar will be followed by a brief breakout session by campus where Connors will review steps for applying through 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and how to start planning.

The post Fulbright scholars from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 bridge cultures through research, teaching first appeared on University of Hawai驶i System News.]]>

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (WCDI) has released new online tools uncovering Japanese war crimes in Asia and the Pacific during World War II.

Launched in 2019, WCDI is housed in and led by historians, librarians and Geographic Information System specialists. Using digital humanities–computational analysis of the humanities–they map, contextualize and analyze data on Japanese military operations and war crimes. The initiative鈥檚 research draws from more than 2,240 Allied war crimes trials conducted across 51 locations in Asia and the Pacific between 1945 and 1952, with the goal of making complex historical evidence accessible to students, scholars, and the public.

“WCDI鈥檚 projects illuminate the scale and patterns of WWII Japanese war crimes in Asia and the Pacific,” said Theodore Kwok, geospatial librarian in Hamilton Library鈥檚 Government Documents and Maps department. “They expose students and researchers to primary sources, information and data otherwise hidden or difficult to discover.”

The new resources include:

Interactive ArcGIS map, War Crimes against Ethnic Chinese: A Case Study of Group-Selective Violence by the Japanese during the War in the Pacific, 1941–1945, visualizes postwar Allied trials involving crimes against ethnic Chinese communities. It shows how Japan鈥檚 war with China (1931–1945) spread into the Pacific, revealing patterns of targeted violence and intimidation.

Text-searchable archive, Imamura Statements: The 8th Area Army Commander鈥檚 Apologia for Japanese War Crimes at Fortress Rabaul, digitized using Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) standards, offers access to two statements from General Imamura Hitoshi鈥檚 1947 trial in Australia. His testimony sheds light on prisoner abuse around Rabaul and his perspective on the postwar Allied war crimes trials.

StoryMap exhibit (coming soon), The Sook Ching Massacre: Promises and Limitations of a British Singapore War Crimes Trial, March 10–April 2, 1947, explores one of the most infamous massacres of ethnic Chinese civilians and how Allied trials sought—often with mixed results—to deliver justice.

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 history professor Yuma Totani, who leads WCDI, praised the collaboration with Hamilton Library. “WCDI has a terrific team of librarians whose expertise in digital technologies, knowledge in the humanities, and commitment to collaborative work have been invaluable,” she said.

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