Davianna ±Ê¨³¾²¹¾±°ì²¹ʻ¾± McGregor, professor and founding member of the in the at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹, has been named director for the . Established in 1976 by the Â鶹´«Ã½ State Legislature, the center produces oral histories and interpretive historical materials about lifeways, key historic events, social movements and Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s role in the globalizing world through the collection, documentation and preservation of the recollections of Native Hawaiians and the multi-ethnic peoples of Â鶹´«Ã½.
“By documenting the life stories of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s multi-ethnic k¨±puna, the Center for Oral History provides a valuable resource that highlights the rich historic legacy of our multi-ethnic communities and contributes to a greater understanding, respect, appreciation and sense of identity among multi-generational and recently arrived members of our island society,” said McGregor.
“I¡¯m excited that Dr. McGregor is revitalizing the Center for Oral History through new educational programs, visiting scholars and fresh vision,” said , dean of the College of Social Sciences. “Her understanding of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s peoples and communities will assure we are capturing significant and meaningful stories in perpetuity.”
About Davianna ±Ê¨³¾²¹¾±°ì²¹ʻ¾± McGregor
McGregor is a graduate of UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹, where she earned her bachelor¡¯s degrees in Asian/Pacific and , a master¡¯s degree in , and doctorate in Hawaiian/Pacific History.
Her ongoing research, which includes oral history interviews, focuses on the persistence of traditional Hawaiian cultural customs, beliefs, and practices in rural Hawaiian communities on the main Hawaiian islands. This work is featured in her 2007 UH Press book, , which won the Kenneth W. Balridge Prize for best book in any field of history written by a resident of Â鶹´«Ã½ 2005–2007.