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Council for Humanities to process the papers of the late professor who passed away in 2011.

The William S. Richardson School of Law Library has received a grant from the Hawaiʻi Council for Humanities to process the papers of late Professor of Law Jon Van Dyke, who passed away November 29, 2011.

The grant will focus on processing, indexing and making accessible the papers and research behind Van Dyke’s 13 books and textbooks and hundreds of articles.

The material covers his legal representation in cases involving Native Hawaiian, Ferdinand Marcos human rights victims and constitutional litigation with his wife and partner, attorney Sherry Broder, as well as his participation in various developments in Pacific Island nations and territories advocating for islander rights in ocean law, anti-nuclear issues and self-governance, among other issues.

“Jon Van Dyke was a phenomenon and we miss him immensely. His far-ranging intellect and his passion for justice benefitted not only our students and his colleagues, but also the entire community and many other people far beyond Hawaiʻi,” said law school Dean Avi Soifer. “It is impossible to understand how Jon did so much, but this archive will help enlighten those who want to know more and, we hope, some who want to follow his lead.”

Archives Manager Ellen-Rae Cachola will coordinate archival processing, under the supervision of Library Director Vicki Szymczak. The program will engage students to learn about Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island history through hands-on archival preservation experience.

Van Dyke was an internationally-renowned scholar and teacher of constitutional law, international law, international ocean law, rights of Native Hawaiians and indigenous peoples, human rights and environmental law.

He was named the ”Outstanding Professor” at the law school four times, and in 2006 and 2008 the graduating class selected him to give the faculty commencement address. In 2009 he received the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research. He was also a Carlsmith Ball Faculty Scholar.

A public event launching the Jon Van Dyke Collection will be held in February, 2018.

—By Beverly Creamer

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