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 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 尝腻 Kealaiwikuamoʻo Ea and Ka 尝腻 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

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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It鈥檚 American Archives Month, and the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 is playing a key role in expanding public access to congressional history archives.

Hamilton Library received $200,000 in federal funding to help digitize the as part of the American Congress Digital Archives Portal (ACDAP)—the first-ever online platform to bring together congressional archives from across the country. Led by (WVU) Libraries, the project aims to make these important but scattered records freely accessible to the public while supporting civics and history education for K–12 classrooms.

Preserving Hawaiʻi鈥檚 congressional legacy

The funding will allow Hamilton Library to digitize thousands of Hawaiʻi-related congressional documents, including more than 800 photos from the papers of Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, speeches from Sens. Hiram L. Fong and Spark Matsunaga, and materials from Reps. Thomas P. Gill, K. Mark Takai, Neil Abercrombie, Pat Saiki and Kaialiʻi Kahele. The project is expected to be completed by December 2026.

“This project takes some of the most sought-after documents from our library鈥檚 congressional collections and makes them accessible to the world,” said Dawn Sueoka, congressional papers archivist at Hamilton Library鈥檚 . “It also helps researchers to understand the work of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 members of congress in the context of the archives of their colleagues, like former (House) Speaker Carl Albert and Sen. Bob Dole.”

Suyeoka and project partners were featured in a for educators produced by the Dirksen Congressional Center. She also plans to collaborate with the next summer to develop a high school curriculum based on Hamilton Library鈥檚 contributions to the portal.

Expanding national access to civic history

The ACDAP project helps remove long-standing barriers to accessing congressional materials, which—unlike presidential papers—are spread across many institutions. Danielle Emerling, associate director of WVU Libraries鈥� West Virginia & Regional History Center, said the effort helps people better understand Congress and makes more archives and civics education resources available.

Hamilton Library has participated in the ACDAP initiative since 2023, alongside other national partners.

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Powerful ea (sovereignty, life, breath) activations (interactive exhibits) honoring Hawaiian history, resilience and culture are transforming the libraries at Honolulu, Kapiʻolani and Windward Community Colleges this fall.

“The word ‘activations’ is deliberate, chosen as a call to activate鈥攖o activate ea, ʻike (knowledge), ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, community, consciousness, each other,” said Erica T. Dias, Kapiʻolani CC Hawaiʻi-Pacific resources librarian. “Rather than viewing as static displays, the ea activations are designed to stir reflection, dialogue and engagement.”

Cindy Texeira, Hawaiʻi specialist librarian at Windward CC, added, “By sharing these activations in our libraries, we hope to bring ʻŌiwi voices to the forefront while deepening the sense of place that guides our work.”

The series features three major works that rotate through the campuses:

Luka Keʻelikōlani

Honors Princess Ruth Keanolani Kan膩hoahoa Keʻelikōlani, who embodied unwavering commitment to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), tradition, and her people.

• Honolulu CC: September 15–October 10
• Windward CC: October 13–November 6

尝腻 Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Hawaiian Restoration Day)

A journey centered on Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli, and his vision of an independent l膩hui (nation).

• Kapiʻolani CC: September 15–October 10
• Honolulu CC: October 13–November 6

Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele

Explores Lahaina鈥檚 sacred history and cultural resilience.

• Windward CC: September 15–October 10
• Kapiʻolani CC: October 13–November 6

A ‘call to action’

“This is more than just a display with the powerful moʻolelo (stories) and imagery, it hit me as a call to action,” said Honolulu CC student Hanalei Chai. “Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani stood firm for our identity, and her courage awakened me to do the same.”

Manuwai Peters, facilitator of Kanaeokana, a network of more than 170 schools and organizations dedicated to excellence in Hawaiian education, said, “We echo our excitement with this new usage of the activations at our community college libraries.”

Windward CC Cohort & Online Programs Counselor M膩hiehie Garrett added, “In a time where being Hawaiian is being challenged (again), it is empowering to walk around campus and be engulfed in experiences where being Hawaiian is not only appreciated but celebrated. We cannot control how our students feel about themselves as Hawaiians off-campus, but we can ensure that the interactions they have on campus make them proud of who they are and of their l膩hui (people, nation).”

The initiative began at a (culture-based professional development) training, where Windward CC librarians reflected on ways to indigenize library spaces. Guidance from Kanaeokana facilitator Makana Garma helped shape the direction of the ea activations, which are scheduled to proceed to additional 糖心Vlog官方 campuses in spring 2026.

The welcomed 185 archivists and cultural heritage professionals from 35 countries September 8–11 for the first Hawaiʻi-based joint conference of the and the , held at the East-West Center.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Global conference to tackle climate change, media preservation, February 11, 2025

Centered on the theme “A Loss of Place,” the gathering examined how climate change transforms landscapes, challenges cultural identities, and impacts media preservation, with international partners including UNESCO, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and national archives and libraries worldwide.

糖心Vlog官方 President Wendy Hensel opened the conference at the Imin International Conference Center. “In Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific, we know that there are significant challenges with climate change, the fight for cultural identity, and amplifying voices that, too often, go unheard,” she said. “The work that you do in preserving those voices, protecting and sharing these stories, ensures that memory endures and that wisdom is not lost.”

糖心Vlog官方 leadership, systemwide support

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Library and Information Sciences program and the were among the conference鈥檚 financial sponsors. and faculty played key roles in planning, and presenters and volunteers came from across the 糖心Vlog官方 System and Hawaiʻi.

Participants took part in a workshop at the at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu, toured , and explored Hamilton Library鈥檚 Asia, Hawaiian, Pacific, and University Archives collections. They also visited key cultural sites, including Bishop Museum, the Jaku鈥檃n Japanese Tea House at the East-West Center, and the .

“I thought it was a great opportunity to bring people here to showcase the library and our collections, and also focus on Hawaiʻi and the Pacific,” said David Rowntree, digital preservation librarian at Hamilton Library and local organizing chair.

University Librarian Clem Guthro added: “We are a major research university, and we鈥檙e doing work that isn鈥檛 being done elsewhere in the world. Having conference attendees experience 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and Hawaiʻi allows our work to be known and our reputation enhanced.”

This article by Windward CC specialist librarian Cindy Texeira and her daughters, Kainani and ʻAulani Wagner, students in 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 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 l膩hui. It highlights true historical accounts of his leadership and includes perspectives from both K膩naka and non-kanaka allies.

Next, “Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele,” explores Lahaina鈥檚 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 Kan膩hoahoa 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 k奴puna and other Native Hawaiian storytellers.

Windward CC students can borrow cultural resources, including ʻukulele, ʻohe kāpala (kapa-making stamps), and traditional games like k艒nane and h奴. We are also in the planning stages of a lumi 驶ohana, a space for parents and their keiki to read, study, and play together in a culturally grounded environment.

The University of Hawaiʻi has received a $150,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation鈥檚 Public Knowledge program to plan for a social media archive that preserves 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 digital history and centers on Native Hawaiian voices.

The project, Kaʻohipōhaku (gathering rocks or stones), is a collaboration between the 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu James & Abigail Campbell Library, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College library and 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

“Kaʻohipōhaku will bring together Native Hawaiian activists and web/social media archivists to start the discussion on what a social media archive, rooted in ʻāina (land) and guided by the l膩hui Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Nation), could look like,” said principal investigator Kawena Komeiji, Hawaiian Initiatives librarian at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Hamilton Library and the former Hawaiian Pacific resources librarian at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu.

Komeiji said the effort rebalances how history is preserved, and is significant to 糖心Vlog官方 and the broader Hawaiʻi community.

“It aims to put mana (power, authority, privilege) and ea (sovereignty, independence) back into the hands of the Native Hawaiian community. In the past, collections in libraries and archives were created with our ʻike(knowledge) but without our consent or approval; and Kaʻohipōhaku aims to flip that narrative by including K膩naka (Native Hawaiian) voices in the design process,” she said.

With Mellon support, the team will consult with community leaders and web archiving experts, test preservation tools, and establish sustainable, culturally relevant practices for digital archiving.

Web pages, posts are vanishing

“Kaʻohipōhaku is about giving social media creators, audiences and communities agency, especially around these major events in Hawaiʻi,” said Alphie Garcia, information resources and collection management librarian at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu. “Hawaiians and people living in Hawai鈥榠 are having these conversations in social media spaces about the Lahaina wildfires and the Kū Kiaʻi Mauna movement, but these conversations are fragile.”

Garcia said research shows that nearly four in 10 web pages vanish within a decade, and one in five Twitter/X posts can disappear within months, similar to content on other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

“Without active preservation, that history is gone,” Garcia added. “My role is to test tools and identify infrastructure that can help safeguard this digital heritage while working with a team of advisors on ways to accomplish this goal that are sustainable, ethical, trustworthy and community driven.”

The Mellon Foundation also awarded 糖心Vlog官方 $3.22 million to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo for Kahoʻiwai: Reclaiming Hawaiian Knowledge Sovereignty, a related project running from 2024 to 2027.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

This article by 糖心Vlog官方 Kanaka ʻ艑颈飞颈 (Native Hawaiian) librarians Kawena Komeiji, Shavonn Matsuda and Kapena Shim was first published in Ka Wai Ola on .

As we celebrate 尝腻 Hoʻihoʻi Ea this month, K膩naka ʻ艑颈飞颈 librarians in the University of Hawai驶i (糖心Vlog官方) System have been working towards restoring Hawaiian knowledge sovereignty to the l膩hui Hawaiʻi, with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

A new initiative launched this past December, Kahoʻiwai: Reclaiming Hawaiian Knowledge Sovereignty, focuses on improving access to Hawaiian resources in libraries and archives. The project will integrate ʻ艒濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi and kuanaʻike Hawaiʻi into the ways we categorize, organize, and search for information in libraries.

Part of a collaborative effort by three 糖心Vlog官方 campuses, Kahoʻiwai is led by K膩naka librarians at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo. This work builds upon previous groundbreaking work of the Ka Wai H膩pai project, which set the foundation and methodology for development of a Hawaiian Knowledge Organization System (HKOS) intended for implementation across libraries and archives with responsibilities for the preservation of Hawaiian knowledge.

Expanding on this work, Kahoʻiwai will also partner with Hawaiian language experts and scholars to create a Hawaiian language newspaper index from community-indexed information found in n奴pepa, enhance 7,500 library catalog records with table of contents and descriptions, and revise incomplete and/or harmful descriptions in archival finding aids to provide better, Hawaiʻi-centered context, to Hawaiian collections at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

As testament to the work of K膩naka librarians, K膩naka scholars and allies, particularly in recent years, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Hamilton Library has created two dedicated tenure-track faculty librarian positions to bolster Hawaiian knowledge sovereignty and ensure the long-term sustainability of this initiative.

Similarly, librarians at the 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu, 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, and 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 have been building a social media archive rooted in community and ʻ腻颈苍补.

碍补ʻ辞丑颈辫艒丑补办耻 will consult with K膩naka activists and web archiving experts to identify tools and priorities for archiving social media content and to help establish culturally relevant practices for Hawaiʻi, culminating in a report that will be available to the public.

By shifting autonomy of collection development back into the hands of our people, we will empower the people of today to preserve their leo for the generations to come, much like our k奴puna did in the Hawaiian language newspapers.

Both the Kahoʻiwai and 碍补ʻ辞丑颈辫艒丑补办耻 projects are supported and strengthened by funding from the Mellon Foundation鈥檚 Public Knowledge Program. Kahoʻiwai was awarded $3.22 million over three years (2024-2027) and 碍补ʻ辞丑颈辫艒丑补办耻 was awarded $150,000 as part of a 1-year planning grant.

Libraries and archives are critical spaces for our l膩hui to connect to and engage with. Through these efforts, we seek to center Hawaiʻi and improve libraries and archives in meaningful ways so that K膩naka feel welcomed and empowered to research, learn, and engage in these spaces and with the waiwai housed within these institutions.

While libraries are not commonly considered in the movement for ea, these efforts highlight our role as just one of the many pathways in furthering ea for the l膩hui Hawaiʻi.

Alphie Garcia, information resources and collection management librarian at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, was selected as one of 25 archivists nationwide for the (ALI).

Held June 8–14 at the University of Virginia Library, the week-long institute brought together mid-career archivists to develop leadership skills and deepen their impact within the profession. Quarterly virtual sessions will continue throughout the year.

Garcia was chosen through a competitive process recognizing his professional commitment, leadership potential, and dedication to diversity and innovation in the archival field.

“Alphie is the sole professional responsible for archival work at the 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Library, so this opportunity will enable him to bring back new and innovative ideas that will inform the library鈥檚 ongoing and future archival projects,” said Carina Chernisky, public services librarian at the .

‘Steward of cultural memories’

Garcia called the experience an honor and professional highlight, which gave him a rare opportunity to share a space and engage with a national group of archivists and information professionals.

“ALI created space to step back and reflect on the archival profession and my own role here at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu as a steward of cultural memories,” Garcia said. “The experience has deepened my sense of purpose and commitment to the values we hold at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu, and in the library and archival profession to uplift underrepresented voices and preserve local knowledge.”

Garcia is collaborating with fellow cohort members on a project that explores how recent federal actions have affected diversity initiatives in the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) fields. He said the sense of community and support at ALI was powerful.

“The week as a whole reminded me that archival leadership is not just about creating policies or the minutiae of preservation, but about staying true to the values that matter,” Garcia said.

For more visit .
—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

More than 200 people gathered at Windward Community College鈥檚 Hale Laʻakea Library on June 7, for Keiki Summer Reading Day 2025—a vibrant celebration of Hawaiian language, culture and community that drew nearly double the expected turnout.

Children and their ʻohana (family) explored the library through a scavenger hunt, listened to moʻolelo (stories) from k奴puna (elders), and learned about the library鈥檚 Hawaiʻi Collection. Each keiki also received bilingual Hawaiian-English books to take home.

The free community event, made possible with a Harold K.L. Castle Foundation grant, promoted family literacy and cultural learning through hands-on, place-based activities.

“As one of the keiki book readers, it was especially moving to see their excitement when receiving books of their own,” said Hauʻolihiwahiwa Moniz, Hawaiian-Pacific resources librarian at Leeward CC and N膩 Mea Hawaiʻi committee chair for the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club.

Moniz co-led the event鈥檚 planning with Cindy Texeira, Hawaiʻi specialist librarian at Windward CC.

“We wanted this day to celebrate ʻ艒濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and moʻolelo, and to make ʻohana feel at home in the library,” Moniz added.

The event also included arts and crafts inspired by native birds and a complimentary lunch. For many families, it was their first visit to the Windward CC library.

“It was wonderful to see the library so full of life and laughter,” said Sarah Sur, head librarian at Windward CC. “We鈥檙e proud to be a space where our community can gather to celebrate reading, culture and connection.”

Texeira, who also serves as corresponding secretary for the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, said, “This event reminded us of the power of community and the importance of sharing spaces and stories. It was a joy to help create something rooted in aloha ʻ腻颈苍补 (love and care for the land) and designed especially for our keiki and ʻohana.”

Keiki Summer Reading Day 2025 was a collaboration between the Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Windward CC library, and the Koʻolau Foundation.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 has acquired a remarkable piece of history, one of the .

The map comes from a rare Rome edition of Cosmographia by Claudius Ptolemy, a geographer from ancient Alexandria whose ideas shaped how the world was visualized for centuries. This version is special for an additional reason. It was printed by Konrad Sweynheim, a 15th century German printer and engraver who pioneered copperplate printing in Italy.

The map was purchased by the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa and gifted to the library.

“The Center for Southeast Asian Studies is proud to support the Maps and Southeast Asia Collection in Hamilton Library through funding from the National Resource Center grant from the International Foreign Language and Area Studies Program in the U.S. Department of Education,” said Teri Skillman, associate director of CSEAS.

Hamilton Library helped bring the map to life through high-resolution imaging that will allow students and researchers to study it in detail without touching the fragile original.

“This is the oldest map in Hamilton Library and it enhances the already world-class Southeast Asia collection,” said Ted Kwok a geospatial librarian at Hamilton Library.

Rome鈥檚 finest maps

Sweynheim began work on the maps in 1474 and trained mathematicians to engrave copper plates, a process that would dominate Italian mapmaking for more than 100 years. Although he died before the atlas was published, his legacy lives on. The plates were completed by his colleague Arnold Buckinck, also known as Pannartz.

Many historians consider the Rome edition to be the finest set of Ptolemaic maps produced before the rise of Gerard Mercator鈥檚 world atlas in 1578.

The map will be part of the library鈥檚 or MAGIS collection, expanding 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 holdings in global historical geography.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 will become a hub for international experts as it hosts the September 8鈥�11, 2025, at the Imin Conference Center. IASA is a leading international organization dedicated to safeguarding recorded sound and audiovisual materials.

This year鈥檚 theme, “A Loss of Place: Preserving Climate Narratives, Cultural Identity, and Marginalized Voices through Audiovisual Media,” underscores the urgent need to document communities facing climate displacement and highlights the role of audiovisual archives in preserving cultural resilience.

The conference was brought to Hawaiʻi by David Rowntree, Hamilton Library鈥檚 digital preservation librarian, part of the local planning committee with librarians and archivists from Hamilton Library, Bishop Museum, and at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu.

“Our team鈥檚 collective enthusiasm reflects just how significant this event is,” said Rowntree. “Bringing global perspectives to Hawai驶i鈥檚 doorstep is an incredible opportunity, and we鈥檙e excited to be part of this important conversation.”

Call for submissions

through April 14, 2025, for contributions exploring the preservation of climate-impacted media, including film, sound, audiovisual records, drone footage and underwater recordings. The conference aims to spark meaningful discussions at the intersection of climate change, cultural identity, marginalized communities, and Indigenous knowledge systems.

“IASA is thrilled to join the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 for this year’s conference,” noted IASA President, Patrick Midtlyng. “As a global organization, our executive board recognized the importance and value of re-engaging with the Pacific region and expressed a strong commitment to making this a priority.”

The is continuing to make strides toward becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning with the support of a $3.22 million grant from the , the largest supporter of the arts and humanities in the U.S., dedicated to advancing social justice and fostering cultural knowledge.

This funding will help the university integrate Native Hawaiian knowledge into its library collections by developing a Hawaiian Knowledge Organization System (HKOS) and a Hawaiian language newspaper index. 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 is among the first institutions in the country to incorporate Indigenous knowledge practices into its academic resources, creating new opportunities to preserve and share Hawaiian cultural knowledge within the academic community.

“It is my expectation that this work will be transformative not only for the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Library and the 糖心Vlog官方 System libraries, but also for the Native Hawaiian community, who will see their traditional knowledge system reflected in how we describe and categorize library collections,” said University Librarian Clem Guthro.

The initiative, known as Kahoʻiwai: Reclaiming Hawaiian Knowledge Sovereignty, builds upon several successful pilot projects, including Ka Wai H膩pai: Co-Creating Controlled Vocabularies for Social Justice. The three-year project will be led by Native Hawaiian librarians Shavonn Matsuda (), Kapena Shim (糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补), Annemarie Paikai (), and Keahiahi Long (Library and Information Science Program, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补). Housed within 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Library Services, it aims to develop a Hawaiian-language-controlled vocabulary system that will be used to organize and describe library collections using traditional Hawaiian practices.

Creating Hawaiian language catalog system

A key component of the project is the co-creation of a Hawaiian language newspaper index, or N奴pepa Index, designed to improve access to community-indexed information found in Hawaiian-language newspapers. The HKOS will also be applied to catalog the John Charlot Papers, an invaluable archive containing works by the influential scholar of Hawaiian religion and culture. This initiative will integrate traditional Hawaiian knowledge into the way these materials are described and made accessible to the public.

The project will also fund three new librarian faculty positions to support the development of the HKOS, further strengthening the university鈥檚 commitment to Native Hawaiian knowledge sovereignty.

“By incorporating traditional Hawaiian knowledge systems, we are not just cataloging materials鈥攚e are reclaiming and honoring our cultural heritage in a meaningful way,” said Matsuda, project director and head librarian at 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College.

ʻUluʻulu: The Henry Kuʻualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawaiʻi at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu launched a new and . ʻUluʻulu has more than 4,000 searchable titles with video clips available for viewing.

“The new online platforms are our first website and catalog refresh since 2012 and provide a powerful new way to search and view archival footage from our collections,” said Janel Quirante, head archivist at ʻUluʻulu, Hawaiʻi鈥檚 official state archive for moving images.

With September being Hawaiian History Month, ʻUluʻulu welcomes visitors and recommends these videotapes and motion picture film reels accessible via the new site:

New content management system

The website contains information about ʻUluʻulu‘s programs and services, and provides a searchable gateway to its new catalog and content management system Recollect, ʻUluʻulu‘s online access point to all of its collections and digital videos. ʻUluʻulu worked with 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Communications for graphics and user experience (UX) design, and with 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Information Technology to develop the site and integration with Recollect.

For more information about ʻUluʻulu: The Henry Kuʻualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawaiʻi, email uluulu@hawaii.edu or call (808) 689-2740.

For more visit .

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

ʻAlal膩 are the only survivors of five crow species that evolved in the Hawaiian Islands, according to the ʻAlal膩 Project, which aims to restore the native bird to the wild. Reading and artwork focused on the ʻalal膩 will be presented at 驶s Out Loud in the Library! on Wednesday, September 25, 10–11 a.m. The free event will take place in the Hale Laʻakea Library.

Melanie Dorado Wilson will read from her Hawaiian Studies research Ka ʻAlal膩, ʻAumakua in Transition: A Multimedia Exploration of the Science, Politics, Law, Culture, and Spirituality Surrounding the Hawaiian Crow. A display of artwork she completed for the class will be available for viewing.

Wilson, Windward CC鈥檚 interim vice chancellor for academic affairs recently completed her associate鈥檚 degree in Hawaiian Studies. Originally from Wahiaw膩, she returned to Hawaiʻi from living overseas in 2017. She fell in love with the ʻalal膩, which became the subject of her artistic and academic focus.

Out Loud in the Library! is celebrating its 10th anniversary of literary and music events by local artists, and is meant to inspire and encourage students to find their own creative voice through writing, reading, poetry, music, spoken word and the visual arts.

For more information, contact Susan Lee St. John, associate professor of language arts and Out Loud in the Library! coordinator, at (808) 236-9226 or susankcl@hawaii.edu.

In recognition of their efforts in aiding collections caretakers and residents amidst the aftermath of the devastating August 2023 wildfires in Maui, Liane Naʻauao and Malia Van Heukelem of the , have been recognized as recipients of the President’s Award by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).

Naʻauao, a paper conservator, and Van Heukelem, an archivist, librarian and collections manager, were integral members of the National Heritage Responders who swiftly mobilized to provide assistance to Lahaina museums, cultural centers, libraries, and schools in salvaging fire-damaged artifacts and documents.

“We are deeply honored to receive the President’s Award,” said Naʻauao and Van Heukelem. “This recognition is not just for us, but for the entire community of responders and partners who worked tirelessly to provide assistance during such a challenging time. Every individual and organization involved played a crucial role in the recovery efforts, and we are grateful for their dedication and support.”

Making help accessible

Following the wildfires, Naʻauao and Van Heukelem utilized their expertise to help develop a series of webinar presentations, accessible online through the AIC, and focused on aiding Lahaina’s cultural and heritage institutions. These webinars, while initially targeted at professionals, also proved valuable for Maui residents seeking guidance in salvaging personal belongings.

Our goal is to remain actively engaged in providing assistance and resources to ensure the preservation of Maui’s rich cultural heritage.
—Malia Van Heukelem

With a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Naʻauao and Van Heukelem will continue to provide on-site assistance as recovery efforts persist.

Van Heukelem added, “While we are proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, we understand that the recovery process will take time and sustained effort. Our goal is to remain actively engaged in providing assistance and resources to ensure the preservation of Maui’s rich cultural heritage.”

They are taking part in National Preservation Week initiatives, raising awareness about fire disaster planning and management in collaboration with organizations like ARMA Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi Library Association.

“Through our small part, we hope to inspire action to preserve these precious collections,” said Naʻauao.

Since its inception in 1974, the AIC has recognized outstanding contributions to the field of conservation. Naʻauao and Van Heukelem will be honored at the institute’s annual meeting on May 21.

A digital archive highlighting the distinguished career of U.S. Sen. Spark M. Matsunaga, a pivotal figure in Hawaiʻi‘s political landscape, was released by the in February. A collaboration between the and the , the collection includes 10.5 hours of footage highlighting Matsunaga鈥檚 significant contributions to civil rights, Japanese American reparations, space exploration, renewable energy and peace efforts.

Matsunaga was a member of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion and represented Hawaiʻi in the U.S. Congress from 1963 until his death in 1990.

The collection offers , with complete recordings available upon request. Notable clips include Matsunaga’s 1959 campaign ad for lieutenant governor and recordings discussing elections and industrial development in Hawaiʻi. Also featured is the 1988 Senate debate on redress for Japanese Americans interned during World War II.

Post-statehood congressional archives

The footage is the inaugural release by the Hawaiʻi Congressional Media collection, an online archive featuring digitized moving images from Hawaiʻi‘s post-statehood congressional members. , this collaboration between at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu and the at the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Library ensures the preservation and sharing of Hawaiʻi‘s political history.

“The images and voices from this collection that have been newly revealed through digitization provide an invaluable glimpse into our state鈥檚 rich political past,” said Janel Quirante, 糖心Vlog官方 West HOʻahu ʻUluʻulu head archivist “I鈥檓 so grateful for the partnership with 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Library and thrilled that researchers and students can now view this amazing historical footage online.”

“Working with ʻUluʻulu leverages the strengths and expertise of both of our organizations to share these important moments in history with the public” said Dawn Sueoka, 糖心Vlog官方 Manoa Congressional Papers archivist.

Upcoming digitization plans

Later this year, ʻUluʻulu aims to digitize an additional 250 reels from various Hawaiʻi congressional members, including Sen. Hiram Fong, Sen. Daniel Akaka, Rep. Tom Gill, Rep. Pat Saiki, Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Rep. Ed Case. ʻUluʻuluu also preserves the moving image archives of .

Students at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 are now enjoying a cutting-edge addition to their study spaces at with the introduction of . These soundproof phone booths are modern study pods that have become a popular choice for students seeking a quiet and focused environment with all of them frequently filled.

“It鈥檚 more comfortable than studying outside, mostly because I don鈥檛 like the idea of plugging in earphones all the time, so I can just listen directly,” said Gaurav “Grey” Kodeyogesh, a sophomore psychology major.

Installed in the summer of 2023, the 11 Pillar Booths are located on the first floor of Hamilton Library.

In addition to its sound-muffling capabilities, the booths feature LED lighting, fans for air circulation that automatically activate upon entry, height adjustable desks for sitting or standing, and versatile connectivity options such as USB A+C ports, outlets and an ethernet port.

Sydney Hirayama, a biology and Chinese language student said, “I can really focus on what I鈥檓 doing and not have the distractions of the outside. I like that it鈥檚 soundproof and that there鈥檚 charging ports. I enjoy it!”

University Librarian Clem Guthro initiated the idea to introduce Pillar Booths, responding to the growing demand for private Zoom spaces on campus. Jan Gouveia, 糖心Vlog官方 vice president for administration, approved funding of approximately $80,000 to acquire these innovative booths.

Unlike other reservable spaces in the library, the Pillar Booths operate on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing the library to gauge their use before implementing a reservation system.

Additional study areas available

The Pillar Booths join a series of recent upgrades to the library’s study spaces.

Seating currently includes large booths and study tables, and lounge seating for the first floor, made available in summer 2021. In addition, furniture from Sinclair Library was transferred to Hamilton Library, which included individual study pods and larger tables.

“The variety of different study spaces has been great for the students,” said Vicky Lebbin, interim associate university librarian. “There鈥檚 something that caters to each of their needs to help them enhance their academic experience and be successful.”

, and sort by features (comfy seating, quiet zone, reservable, group study, etc).