Hawai'i Council for the Humanities

08/19/2026

08/07/2026

Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate Lee A. Tonouchi (also known as “Da Pidgin Guerilla”) wen go lose his mom in one tragic car accident when he was 2.

He remembahs his family nevah really talked about her death. Everybody just held in their grief and carried on. Later on in life, Lee discovered that writing about da people you lose can actually be cathartic, healing, and help make it OK for oddah people to share their stories.

In dis workshop, Lee going share more about his personal writing journey. An’den, using his technique of “talk story poetry,” he going encourage workshop attendees for write their own pieces honoring those dey wen lose. We welcome attendees from age 14+ to join us in creating a safe space for writing, reflection, and sharing.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events at librarieshawaii.org/events.

06/16/2026

To celebrate Cathy Gorn’s last year as executive director of National History Day, Hawai’i History Day program director Devin Makizuru and HHD program and curriculum specialist Dorie Langi presented her with an origami money lei at the annual Coordinators Dinner. A money lei is often given at life changes like graduation or retirement as a symbol of love, celebration, and honor. The lei included brief messages on paper flowers written by students and teachers at the HHD State Fair in April. Mahalo nui for your vision, passion, and leadership all these years, Cathy!

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06/16/2026

Kumu Māhealani Lono and the students of Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo PCS participated in a showcase of their ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi History Day projects at the University of Maryland's Adele H. Stamp Union Center for Student Life today. They had an opportunity to display and share their documentaries and exhibit boards with UMD students and others passing through, including fellow National History Day participants. Wonderful to see this research, creativity, and storytelling be shared with other young people!

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06/15/2026

Opening Ceremony at National History Day at the University of Maryland -- Woo hoo! The Hawaiʻi Delegation was also greeted by NHD Executive Director, Cathy Gorn. A beautiful day to celebrate coming together with student historians from around the nation and other countries -- 56 NHD affiliates in all.

Later in the day, the Hawaiʻi Delegation relaxed and got to know each other through group games and ice cream.

We are excited for all our team during the competitions and showcases in the days ahead!

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06/13/2026

Hawaiʻi History Day Program Director Devin Makizuru and HHD Program & Curriculum Specialist Dorie Langi just arrived in Baltimore for the National History Day competition and showcases. After fueling up at the Silver Diner, they journeyed to the University of Maryland to prepare for the arrival of our Hawai’i Team – over 100 students, teachers, chaperones, and others!

Best wishes to every one of you at the competitions and showcases! We know you will represent us with excellence and heart!

06/09/2026

Congratulations to Professor Ryan Koo, one of Hawaiʻi History Day’s Lead Historian Consultants, on receiving Windward Community College’s 2026 Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award!

Mahalo for sharing this joy-filled photo, !

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06/09/2026

Congratulations to Janyce Omura of Maui High School and Jaimy Valerio of Kalākaua Middle School on being nominated for the 2026 National History Day Teacher of the Year Award!

In addition to celebrating outstanding history scholarship and innovative classroom instruction, the 2026 Teachers of the Year will each receive a $5,000 cash prize. Each of the 78 nominees in the senior (high school) and junior (middle school) divisions is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.

We are so proud of you, Janyce and Jaimy, for this nomination in recognition of your love for your students and for history, and for your years of dedication, hard work, and vision! Mahalo nui for being a part of mālama our history, mālama each other!

Read a feature story story on Janyce’s nomination in The Maui News:
tinyurl.com/2026NHDteacherOmura

Read more about the 2026 NHD Teacher of the Year Award:
https://tinyurl.com/2026NHDteacheraward

The Awards Ceremony will be livestreamed on June 18 at around 9 am EDT (3 am in Hawaiʻi ☹️) at
https://nhd.org/awards-ceremony .

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06/07/2026

The Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities is seeking our next Executive Director. Work with our inspiring staff, board, and partners across the state and beyond to help shape HCH’s next chapter – strengthening our role within the broader humanities ecosystem of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, ensuring effective operations, deepening impact, and supporting our long-term sustainability.

This full-time position is based primarily on Oʻahu, at a salary range of $90,000 - $120,000 with generous benefits.

📅 Apply by June 15 (Mon)

🔗 For more information and how to apply, go to tinyurl.com/EDPosition26

06/06/2026

How do we preserve the memories of our ʻohana? The stories of the places we come from?

Join UH Mānoa’s Center for Oral History, Ka Ipu Makani Cultural Heritage Center, and HCH for a family friendly workshop on how to do oral history on Friday, June 19th, from 8 a.m. at Molokai Public Library on Molokaʻi.
This Partnership activity is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

Register by June 10 (Wed) at
tinyurl.com/ohana-oral-workshop