After touring three University of Hawaiʻi community colleges last fall, “Activations of Ea”—interactive exhibits exploring sovereignty and life force—are expanding across UH libraries statewide this spring. Developed by Kanaeokana, a network of Hawaiian language, culture and ʻāina-based education organizations, the exhibits will rotate through UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, UH West Oʻahu, Kauaʻi CC and UH Maui College 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 ʻāina (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 UH 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 UH library had an opportunity to showcase the beautiful activations and educate our communities that the ea of this ʻāina still exists through our history, culture and language,” said Kawena Komeiji, Hawaiian initiatives librarian at UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library.
The exhibit, which toured Honolulu CC, Kapiʻolani CC and Windward CC in the fall, is made possible through partnerships with Kamehameha Schools Kealaiwikuamoʻo and Kanaeokana.
Exhibit dates and locations
Ka Lā Kealaiwikuamoʻo Ea and Ka Lā Kūʻokoʻa – A journey centered on Kamehameha III and his vision of an independent lāhui (group):
- January 12 – February 6: UH Mānoa Hamilton Library, UH West Oʻahu Campbell Library
- February 9 – March 6: Kauaʻi CC Library, UH Maui College, UH Hilo Moʻokini Library
Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele – Explores Lahaina’s sacred history and cultural resilience:
- February 9 – March 6: UH Mānoa Hamilton Library, UH West Oʻahu Campbell Library
- March 9 – April 3: Kauaʻi CC Library, UH Maui College
Ruth Keʻelikōlani – Honors Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani and her commitment to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), tradition and her people:
- January 12 – February 6: Kauaʻi CC Library, UH Maui College
- February 6 – March 6: UH Hilo Moʻokini Library
- March 9 – April 3: UH Mānoa Hamilton Library, UH West Oʻahu Campbell Library
