After touring three University of Hawaiʻi community colleges last fall, —interactive exhibits exploring sovereignty and life force—are expanding across 东精影业 libraries statewide this spring. Developed by , a network of Hawaiian language, culture and ʻā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 ʻā颈苍补 (love of the land) while uplifting Hawaiian history, culture and language.
The initiative began during a Kūkalahale E Hoʻi Nā Wai culture-based professional development training, where Windward CC librarians explored ways to indigenize library spaces. The idea quickly spread across the 东精影业 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 东精影业 library had an opportunity to showcase the beautiful activations and educate our communities that the ea of this ʻā颈苍补 still exists through our history, culture and language,” said Kawena Komeiji, Hawaiian initiatives librarian at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补’s Hamilton Library.
The exhibit, which toured , and in the fall, is made possible through partnerships with and Kanaeokana.
Exhibit dates and locations
Ka Lā Kealaiwikuamoʻo Ea and Ka Lā 碍ūʻ辞办辞ʻ补 – A journey centered on Kamehameha III and his vision of an independent lāhui (group):
- January 12 – February 6: 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 Hamilton Library, 东精影业 West Oʻahu Campbell Library
- February 9 – March 6: Kauaʻi CC Library, 东精影业 Maui College, 东精影业 Hilo Moʻokini Library
Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele – Explores Lahaina’s sacred history and cultural resilience:
- February 9 – March 6: 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 Hamilton Library, 东精影业 West Oʻahu Campbell Library
- March 9 – April 3: Kauaʻi CC Library, 东精影业 Maui College
Ruth 碍别ʻ别濒颈办ō濒补苍颈 – Honors Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa 碍别ʻ别濒颈办ō濒补苍颈 and her commitment to ʻō濒别濒辞 Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), tradition and her people:
- January 12 – February 6: Kauaʻi CC Library, 东精影业 Maui College
- February 6 – March 6: 东精影业 Hilo Moʻokini Library
- March 9 – April 3: 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 Hamilton Library, 东精影业 West Oʻahu Campbell Library