The welcomed scholars from around the world this summer for an international gathering on the future of the humanities.
From June 25 to 27, the annual New Directions in the Humanities conference was held in Hawaiʻi for the first time.
东精影业 贬颈濒辞’蝉 event carried the theme “Oceanic Journeys: Multicultural Approaches in the Humanities.” More than 300 participants from 25 countries joined in person and online, including 31 东精影业 faculty members and 24 Emerging Scholars, students awarded grants to attend, present, and build professional connections.
“Everyone was saying what an exceptional conference it was, not just feeding the mind, but the soul, heart and spirit by showcasing our 东精影业 Hilo ʻohana, Hawaiʻi Island community and Native Hawaiian culture,” said Patsy Iwasaki, a 东精影业 Hilo associate professor of English who served as conference chair.
Kīpaepae welcome
The event opened with a kīpaepae ceremony. Kīpaepae translates to “stepping stones” and are traditional Native Hawaiian ceremonies of welcome. Led by Hawaiian studies lecturer Dane “Malu” Dudoit, traditional chants, pahu drums and pū (conch shells) set the tone of aloha ʻā颈苍补—respect for the land and people of Hawaiʻi.
Workshops invited participants to engage directly with Native Hawaiian cultural practices, while an alohawear exhibition at 东精影业 贬颈濒辞’蝉 highlighted the history of fashion in Hawaiʻi.
“We are thrilled to be able to showcase vintage Hawaiʻi fashion as part of the conference,” said English professor and member of the conference planning committee Leanne Day. “I am excited how the exhibit indexes Hawaiʻi’s history and helps center how fashion is a critical site of reckoning with settler colonialism, immigration and tourism.“
The four plenary speakers at the conference were all connected to the 东精影业 Hilo ʻohana: Manu Meyer, former 东精影业 Hilo education professor and now director of at 东精影业 West Oʻahu; Marianne Takamiya, a professor; Jacquelyn Pualani Johnson, emeritus professor of ; and Clint Anderson, assistant professor of .
professor Colby Miyose mentored Emerging Scholars, who gained professional development by moderating panels, engaging with experts, and connecting with international scholars.
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—By Susan Enright