With recent acquisitions ranging from rare 19th-century lithographs to the archives of �鶹��ý artists and architects, at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� continues to strengthen its role as a hub for Pacific and �鶹��ý art research.

“These gifts enrich our collections and ensure that we are able to provide a rich tapestry of materials to support teaching, research and creative activity,” said University Librarian Clem Guthro. “As the library for �鶹��ý only research university, we depend on the generosity of donors to help us build world class collections.”

A set of 57 hand-colored lithographs by Louis Choris from the 19th-century books Voyage Pittoresque Autour du Monde (1822) and Vues et Paysages des Régions Équinoxiales (1826) was donated to the Pacific Collection, which already holds both books.

“These prints are among some of the earliest visual documentation we have of life in the Pacific, and as such are extremely valuable for researchers seeking information on island society, material culture and environments during the early period of contact between Pacific Islanders and Europeans,” said Stu Dawrs, senior librarian in the . He noted that the Pacific Collection is acknowledged as the world’s largest and most complete library of material relating to the Pacific Islands region.

The also received donations, prompting new collections and additions to existing ones. Art Archivist Malia Van Heukelem is establishing archives for UH ����ԴDz� Art Professors Charles Cohan, retiring in December, and Ronald Kowalke, who died in 2021. Both taught art studio classes for decades, earning respect from peers and leaving a lasting impact on students and the community.

The Cohan Papers include sketchbooks, instructional materials and exhibition ephemera from his career as a printmaker. The Kowalke Papers feature faculty papers, sketchbooks, photos and records of his works, including his at the �鶹��ý Convention Center.

Additional acquisitions were made to the and the . The Doi donation adds original works—watercolors, drawings, prints and two self-published books—building on correspondence previously donated. Architect Sidney Snyder, Vladimir Ossipoff’s business partner, donated professional photos, index cards and awards documenting their firm’s projects. Snyder died on September 21, 2025, and had previously donated materials in 2010.

Gabriella Wilson-Rytting, founder and creative director of , was chasing college credits before some of her Kapaʻa High School classmates were even thinking about higher education. While still in high school, she jumped at the opportunity to take dual credit courses, and earned her associate degree in liberal arts from Kauaʻi Community College by 2018.

“I remember how supported I felt by my professors and how much freedom I had to explore different areas of interest. The photography and illustration classes in particular lit something up in me—they made it clear that design was what I wanted to pursue,” Wilson-Rytting said. “I also appreciated the business class that opened my eyes to entrepreneurship, and the Hawaiian Studies program, which helped me reclaim and better understand the cultural context I grew up in. All of that shaped who I am today—not just as a designer, but as a business owner and storyteller.”

Her next educational chapter took her across the ocean to the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, a leap she felt ready for thanks to the foundation she built at Kauaʻi CC.

Community college = solid base

“My advice: trust your foundation. Community college gives you such a solid base,” Wilson-Rytting said. “Your experiences from a smaller campus are still incredibly valuable, and they give you an edge when navigating a bigger university setting.”

That solid base propelled her to earn two degrees from UH ����ԴDz�—a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design and a bachelor of arts in cultural studies. Today, she channels her creativity and cultural perspective into Essence Marketing & Design. The Oʻahu-based company specializes in branding, website design, content creation and digital strategies tailored to small businesses.

“Everything is custom and intentional—there’s no cookie-cutter work here,” she said. “As a Native Hawaiian woman and small business owner myself, I understand the importance of culture, depth and representation.”

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumnus Scott Norwood Fitzel, a renowned local sculpture artist, unveiled his latest sculpture, “Mānaiakalani,” at the Nānākuli Public Library on September 21. The freestanding stainless steel and cast glass sculpture was commissioned for the library by the .

Fitzel, who earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from UH ����ԴDz�’s , created “Mānaiakalani” as a tribute to his deep-rooted connection to Hawaiian culture and his love for natural elements.

The sculpture draws inspiration from the legendary fishhook of Māui, a Polynesian culture figure, and the golden stars of the Mānaiakalani constellation that adorn the night sky above Nānākuli. Lit from within, the glass illuminates day and night. The artwork reminds those who see it of the popular mythology of the creation of the Hawaiian Islands.

Fitzel is a Native Hawaiian artist who was raised in Huntington Beach, California. His journey as an artist began when he discovered glassblowing in community college. His love for surfing led him to �鶹��ý, where he continued to study glassblowing at UH ����ԴDz�. He honed his craft and developed his distinctive style that blends his love for natural elements reflecting his desire to use materials in non-traditional ways to evolve traditional ideas into new techniques.

has been recognized as one of the top 25 graphic design schools on the West Coast, according to . UH ����ԴDz� stood out among more than 50 higher education institutions considered for the ranking.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment and excited to see that we have been able to maintain and even improve upon the rankings for several years,” said Chae Ho Lee, a professor in the UH ����ԴDz� . “Our graphic design students not only gain a strong foundation in graphic design practice and theory but have moved on to successful careers in design and have become leaders in their community.”

The West Coast region ranking includes California, Oregon, Washington, �鶹��ý and Alaska.

Real-world impact

A key feature of the program is the Graphic Design Workshop, which gives students the opportunity to provide high-quality graphic design services to non-profit organizations across the state. This spring, students developed marketing materials and visual identity systems for Kūpuna Care, a state-funded program that supports elders in aging safely at home. They also created designs for the �鶹��ý Dementia Initiative, launched by the �鶹��ý State Executive Office on Aging to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Past clients have included a variety of organizations including on-campus groups such as the UH ����ԴDz� . The program’s work has received local recognition from AIGA �鶹��ý, the Pele Awards, and Honolulu Magazine, and national recognition from AIGA Los Angeles, the Adobe Design Achievement Awards, HOW magazine, and Print magazine.

Top-ranked program

About 86% of graduates from UH ����ԴDz�’s graphic design program are currently working in the design field, holding positions locally, nationally and internationally.

In 2022, UH ����ԴDz�’s graphic design program was ranked among the nation’s top 50 graphic design schools by Animation Career Review. It earned the number 12 spot out of the top 25 schools on the West Coast and is housed in the UH ����ԴDz� .

Kuchi-e prints are a distinctive genre of Japanese woodblock illustrations that were inserted inside of popular literary magazines during the Meiji and Taishō periods, reflecting the rich cultural landscape of late 19th and early 20th-century Japan. The has recently acquired a unique collection of more than 200 Kuchi-e prints, generously donated by Nanako Yamada, a scholar and collector based in Honolulu.

The Yamada Collection showcases works by renowned ukiyo-e artists such as Hanko Kajita and Toshikata Mizumo, who used traditional techniques to produce stunning frontispieces for early modern magazines, most notably Bungei Kurabu.

An avid collector, Yamada is the author of nine books on Kuchi-e, including Woodblock Kuchi-e Prints: Reflections of Meiji Culture.

Finding a new home

In addition to the woodblock prints, Yamada has also donated dozens of accompanying literary magazines, particularly issues of Bungei Kurabu. These magazines were designed to attract readers, especially women and young adults, with the Kuchi-e illustrations serving as a captivating intersection between visual art and modern Japanese literary history.

“The images by some of the most talented artists of the Meiji-Taishō period, representing iconic scenes in magazine-serialized novels, functioned to draw readers into the tales and fuel their imaginations,” explained Andre Haag, professor of Japanese literature at UH ����ԴDz�.

The Yamada Collection also highlights the meticulous technique of inserting frontispieces into each novella, which has broader implications for fields such as bookbinding and museum studies. Graduate students across the departments of the will be able to utilize the collection as a new resource for their research this fall.

After considering various possible homes for her rare and unique collection, Yamada chose UH ����ԴDz� Library due to the expertise and dedication of Mitsutaka “Mitsu” Nakamura, Japan studies librarian, and Sachiyo Kawaiʻaeʻa, Japanese cataloger.

“The research value of these prints is immense,” said John Szostak, professor and Japanese art historian at UH ����ԴDz�. “Ms. Yamada did an excellent job in gathering prints by prominent artists and kept them in wonderful condition.”

Plans for digitization, public display

Plans to digitize the Kuchi-e collection are currently being explored through grant opportunities aiming to make the collection accessible to a wider audience. Nakamura was recently awarded the 2024 Karl Lo Award and will receive $7,000 from the to assist with the digitization project.

In the near future, the collection will also be exhibited in the library’s galleries for the public to visit.

The Yamada Collection is housed in Hamilton Library’s Asia Collection. to view the collection.

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumna Donna Hayashi Smith was appointed as the ninth Curator of the U.S. White House, where President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden live and work. Hayashi Smith is the first Asian-American to hold the position and oversees the stewardship and care of approximately 60,000 objects, ranging from fine art to furniture to china.

She is responsible for working with the President and First Lady’s staff to select furnishings and decorative artworks for display in the iconic rooms at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Serving as Curator of the White House is an honor and privilege that I have always considered an ultimate career achievement,” Hayashi Smith said. “After almost 30 years [at the White House], I am excited for the opportunity to lead the talented Curator’s Office team to accomplish new and different goals while serving presidents and their families.”

Guardian of heritage

Hayashi Smith has worked at the White House since 1995 starting as an administrative/collections assistant under the President Bill Clinton administration.

“Donna Hayashi Smith brings years of experience to this position, along with unique perspectives from serving under five administrations. She understands the history and legacy of the White House, as well as the intricate innerworkings of the building itself,” said First Lady Jill Biden.

In her new role as Curator, Hayashi Smith will oversee the acquisition, documentation, research, and interpretation of the White House’s extensive collection. Among the notable pieces her team oversees are the revered paintings of American presidents, such as the stoic portrayal of George Washington and the renowned downward gaze portrait of John F. Kennedy. Also, among the treasures is Georgia O’Keeffe’s Mountain at Bear Lake – Taos oil painting.

“We want everyone who visits the White House to feel a connection to the President’s House while learning about its history, great collection of fine and decorative arts, and the presidents and families who have lived there,” Hayashi Smith said.

Life-changing journey

Hayashi Smith grew up in Wahiawā and graduated from Leilehua High School before earning her BA in at UH ����ԴDz� in 1990. Hayashi Smith recalls a life-changing moment on the ����ԴDz� campus when she stumbled upon a flyer about a study abroad program in London. The overseas experience in 1988 propelled Hayashi Smith to form a deep appreciation for museums, history and culture.

After returning to �鶹��ý, she relished her time at UH ����ԴDz� studying under art professors like Tom Klobe, who still mentors her today. Hayashi Smith said Klobe had a profound impact on her career.

“Just his passion about his work really inspired me,” Hayashi Smith explained. “I didn’t know what my passion was. Just being surrounded by people like him who work so hard, he really stuck with what he really enjoyed and what made him happy. I feel like that’s what I’m doing today.”

When she told Klobe about her new appointment at the White House, he cried.

“For me, what is exciting is to see how she has grown,” said Klobe, a UH ����ԴDz� professor emeritus of art and founding director of the UH art gallery. “One of the things for me that is most important as a teacher is when I’m teaching I try to get the students to realize who they are and to build on their abilities and their interests, their own personal experience.”

Senator’s guidance

Her roots in the nation’s capitol were first planted in the early 90s. Prior to graduation, Hayashi Smith contacted Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office about job opportunities at museums on the U.S. continent. The office advised her to apply for an internship at the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program. She landed a three-month minority fellowship and eventually secured a museum aide position at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American Art and worked in the Registrar’s Office for four years.

A privilege

As she begins this exciting chapter in the nation’s capital, Hayashi Smith considers it an honor to continue the work of preserving the treasures and stories of the White House.

“A relative asked what I would ever do with an art history degree. I replied that I was not sure but that I really enjoyed studying it, and felt it was the right choice for me. I am thankful I followed my interests and pursued a career that continues to bring me happiness,” Hayashi Smith said.

Art energized by rich wisdom and layers of ʻike �鶹��ý (Hawaiian knowledge) drawn from kūpuna (ancestors) will fill the at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa starting November 19. The free exhibit, , will showcase works through February 2024 created by nine kānaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) artists inspired by intergenerational knowledge.

The core of the exhibit will feature pieces produced by two former UH faculty and revered �鶹��ý artisans; retired UH Mānoa and art Professor Ivy Hāliʻimaile Andrade and Sean Kekamakupaʻaikapono Kaonohiokalani Lee Loy Browne, a sculpture lecturer who taught at UH Mānoa and Kapiʻolani Community College.

“Both artists were key figures of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1980s,” said Debra Drexler, a painting professor at UH Mānoa and acting gallery director. “Both are internationally recognized artists, who have spread understanding of the Hawaiian culture to venues around the world. These artists are treasures of our community and we are fortunate to see their work in conversation with each other and a younger generation of artists.”

holds its opening reception on Sunday, November 19, 2—4 p.m. at the UH Mānoa Art Gallery.

Beyond view

In the gallery, Browne’s 15-foot diameter basalt rock circle, Ka Piko (The Navel) will be displayed at the base fronting ���Ի�������’s 14-foot kapa (barkcloth) and handmade paper installation, Ascending, which honors ancestors who have ascended.

“The two pieces really play well together,” said Andrade. “I’m hoping when people enter the gallery…that they’re drawn in towards that space.”

Andrade draws from cultural practices in fiber arts to make contemporary sculptures and installations. While putting her piece together, Andrade thought about loved ones lost and wanted to exude the feeling of souls lifting.

Ancient art

Browne explores traditional and contemporary approaches to form through bringing a kānaka (Hawaiian) aesthetic to materials such as bronze, limestone, basalt and even styrofoam. A native of Keaukaha on �鶹��ý Island, Browne recalls gazing at petroglyphs at Puʻuloa in Puna as a young boy and later learning about how Hawaiians of old carved crevices in lava rock to place piko (umbilical chords) in after childbirth. He kneaded those elements of inspirational ʻike into his Ka Piko basalt rock work.

“So it’s kind of like a thread that can connect us both to our roots, our past and to our future,” Browne said. “It connects not just me to my parents… but everybody else that came before them. And then it can look forward to where we are today and into the future.”

The seasoned artists included several other kānaka ʻōiwi artists that they mentored and developed pilina (relationships) with to also feature pieces at the exhibit: Puni Jackson (MFA, UH Mānoa ), Charlton Kūpaʻa Hee (master of environmental management, UH Mānoa ), Kawika Lum-Nelmida (BA, UH Mānoa Hawaiian studies), Marques Hanalei Marzan (BFA, UH Mānoa art and art History), Abigail Kahilikia Romanchak (MFA, UH Mānoa art and art history), Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum (BA, UH Mānoa Hawaiian studies) and Maikaʻi Tubbs (BFA, UH Mānoa art and art history).

For more information visit .

Individual artworks created by two alumni and a student from the at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� have been acquired for public viewing. In September, the �鶹��ý State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) purchased an oil painting that depicts the controversial sport of sabong or cockfighting, and sculptures made out of glass and nylon-laced ceramic for a public art collection that is displayed in hundreds of state government sites across �鶹��ý, such as schools, libraries and Capitol Modern (formerly �鶹��ý State Art Museum).

Artists featured in the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection include UH ����ԴDz� alumni Eduardo Joaquin (BFA, UH ����ԴDz� art and art history and AA, Kapiʻolani Community College), Jenna Macy (MFA, UH ����ԴDz� art and art history) and student Enrico Battan (MFA, UH ����ԴDz� art and art history).

Battan is on track to graduate this fall and aspires to show his creations at contemporary galleries around the world. His recently purchased sculpture, ‘Collapse,’ is made from recycled tinted industrial window glass and was cooked in a kiln at more than 1,300 degrees. The Michigan native poured his heart to the piece after experiencing loss and an immense range of emotions.

“Hard times generate great work, the most difficult of things bring the greatest rewards, even when we cannot see how because we are living in the moment, and things seem too difficult to work though, don’t give up,” Battan said. “See things through, never give up.”

This November, Battan will showcase more of his work at the Artists of �鶹��ý 2023 exhibition at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu.

All three artworks were nominated by Acquisition Award Selection Committees during exhibit visits and were approved for purchase by the SFCA Board of Commissioners on September 20.