An ancient glass shard. A mural painted thousands of miles from home. A ceremonial headband passed through generations.

These objects tell stories that stretch across generations and oceans in , a new digital exhibition created through the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (CSEAS) and its (APME) program.

“The APME program was designed to introduce the cohort to museum experts based at cultural institutions in �鶹��ý as well as museum educators affiliated with the National Park Service,” said APME program director Teri Skillman. “A regional need exists both to upgrade the Asia-Pacific region’s national and provincial museums and to build a network across the Pacific.”

Stories that span oceans

Among the featured stories is a fragment of Egyptian Roman glass discovered in a burial site in Palau. Researchers traced it to an Egyptian workshop, revealing trade connections that linked distant cultures centuries before modern navigation.

Other stories focus on living traditions. Dissa Aruna Makalingga, collections manager at Museum Affandi in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, tells the story behind The Wisdom of the East, the only mural completed during the lifetime of celebrated Indonesian artist Affandi. As Affandi’s great-grandson, Makalingga traveled to �鶹��ý to see the mural for the first time at the ‘s Imin Center, joining only two other family members who have ever viewed it in person.

Building museum connections

Beyond creating the exhibition, participants exchanged ideas with museum experts in �鶹��ý, shared preservation strategies and built a network that continues long after the program ends. The Asia-Pacific is home to about 1,800 cultures that often face similar challenges preserving their heritage, including limited resources and climate impacts. By sharing knowledge and best practices, APME helps museum professionals protect and tell the stories of their communities.

Visitors can explore the exhibition through APME‘s new website, where each story reveals how history lives not only in museum collections, but also in the people and communities who continue to care for them.

APME provides professional development for early- and mid-career museum professionals from small and medium-sized museums and cultural centers across Island Southeast Asia and the western Pacific, helping them strengthen museum practices while building lasting partnerships across the region.

The APME Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Center in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and conducted through the �鶹��ý-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit CESU; TA# P24AC000688.

—by Julia Liu

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (CSEAS) celebrated a milestone this spring by recognizing the first recipients of its Southeast Asian Studies Medallion, an honor awarded to graduate students whose thesis or dissertation research advances understanding of Southeast Asia.

Presented for the first time during the 2026 UH ����ԴDz� Commencement Ceremony, the medallion recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages continued research on one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse regions. This year, 14 graduating master’s and doctoral students representing 11 disciplines across UH ����ԴDz� earned the distinction for their contributions to Southeast Asian studies.

“These students have dedicated years of study and research to deepening knowledge of Southeast Asia,” said Miriam Stark, CSEAS director. “The medallion is our way of honoring their achievements and recognizing the important contributions they have made to the field and to UH ����ԴDz�.”

Medallion awardees

Charles Ham, Small Island Planning for Equity and Resilience: Lessons from Creating the North Maluku Province and Sofifi Capital City in Indonesia, Urban and regional planning, PhD

Ahkmed Ahksan Harris, Sawah Gilirang Tenure In South Sulawesi, fIndonesia: Livelihood, Kinship, and Belonging, Anthropology, MA

Reza Maulana Hikam, The Jihad Archipelago: Towards a More Inclusive Reimagining of Religious Pluralism and Islamic “Terrorism” in Island Southeast Asia, History, MA

Kaelyn Howard, The Prevalence of the Kundiman: Expressions of Filipino Identity in Western Classical Music, Ethnomusicology, MA

Saung Yanant Pyae Kyaw, Digital Scam Syndicates in Southeast Asia, Especially in Myanmar, Asian international affairs, MA

Pindarica Malyrojsiri, From Liberation to Governance: Inclusive Political Participation in Post-Independence Contexts: The Cases of Timor-Leste and South Sudan, Political science, MA

Olivia Meyer, Plastic Panacea: Circular Economies and the Political Ecology of Plastic Waste in Thailand, Geography, PhD

Ben Moseley, Conversion and Power at the “Ends of the Earth”: Islam, Christianity, and Localization in Southeast Asia’s Eastern Archipelago, 1450–1650, History, PhD

Xiaoyun Neo, Revaluing Elephant Labor at Elephant Tourism Venues in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Geography, PhD

Tien Nguyen, Living Elsewhere: Expatriate lives and performances in Honolulu and Ho Chi Minh City, Theatre and dance, MA

Retno Kusuma Ningrum, Nesting Ecology of Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) on Buru Island, Maluku, Indonesia, Marine biology, MS

Angel Sanchez, Documentary film on the Philippines. Communications, BA

Edgardo Diaz Vega, The Growth of Thailand’s Boys Love Industry in Southeast Asia and the Role of the Thai Government, Asian international affairs, MA

Haruka Waseda, Evolving Views towards Japan through the Lens of Philippine Nikkeijin from Baguio City, Asian international affairs, MA

—By Duong Troung

A new exhibit in the Bridge Gallery of Hamilton Library at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� invites the public to play instruments repurposed from ʻō�貹���� (trash). Bike brake cables, SPAM cans, rice bags, and driftwood are just a few of the materials that make up the exhibit’s instruments.

Available through August 10, the “” exhibit by ethnomusicology lecturer Benjamin Fairfield combines ecomusicology with place-based learning and encourages examination of consumptive habits.

“The idea of accepting a label of trash as worthless primes us to see things as having no further utility and value,” said Fairfield. “This project is getting us to challenge those labels and think, ‘Is it really worthless? Can’t it still have a voice, a utility, be part of our song and part of our creative process?’”

Crafted in the classroom

Many of the pieces were crafted in Fairfield’s class, a sustainability-focused course initially supported by the (CSEAS), where students repurpose found objects into Thai musical instruments. CSEAS has also supported outreach workshops for Kani ka ʻŌ�貹����.

“The class is important as a course that uses an Indigenous approach to sustainable music-making by recycling found objects and promotes craftsmanship grounded in Southeast Asian studies,” said Teri Skillman, CSEAS associate director.

“I was thinking, how can we connect community and music in a participatory way that is also sustainability-oriented? That’s where MUS311(M) brought all of these things together,” said Fairfield. “When students take the class, I wanted to make sure that music isn’t this scary thing that you’re not allowed to do.”

Rooted in tradition and ʻ�徱�Բ� (land)

Fairfield’s project is largely inspired by his research as a graduate student and his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he lived in a village with the Indigenous Karen (Pgaz k’Nyau) people.

“There were these musical traditions that were very interactive, and everyone had a role to play, whether it was dancing and clapping or joining along in some sort of singing capacity. Music wasn’t a presentational sort of thing—it was more participatory,” said Fairfield.

Currently serving as affiliate faculty at the and CSEAS, Fairfield brings a sense of inclusivity and creativity into his teaching.

“We’re going to celebrate sustainability and connection to the āina, and also repurpose these things as is done in the tradition,” said Fairfield, “Working with these materials is a way to connect people on a personal level to these objects that we otherwise don’t give a second thought to.”

‘Everyone’s welcome’

The exhibit highlights community involvement every step of the way, from collaborative works with local elementary schools to musings from local poets and professors.

“We explore musicality in a way that’s fun, engaging, sustainable, and hands-on,” said Fairfield.

Instruments featured also include those from a previous exhibit displayed in Capital Modern: The �鶹��ý State Art Museum as part of Fairfield’s selection for its . Fairfield’s illustrated children’s book, ties into the theme of the exhibit and is on display as well.

To learn more about the exhibit, visit the .

—By Josslyn Rose

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (CSEAS) brought history into sharp focus with a visit from Devaki Murch, a Vietnam War adoptee whose life now shapes how that history is remembered.

As a baby, Murch was part of Operation Babylift, a U.S.-led effort to evacuate children from Vietnam at the end of the war. The first flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Saigon on April 4, 1975. Of the 314 people aboard, 150 survived. Murch was one of them.

At UH ����ԴDz�, students, alumni and community members gathered on March 3 in Moore Hall to hear her story. But the talk went beyond survival. It asked a deeper question, who gets to tell history, and how?

Tien Nguyen, a master’s student in , said the lecture connected personal memory with lived experience.

“The fact that Devaki Murch boarded the first babylift flight and survived the fateful plane crash makes her journey even more magical,” Nguyen said. “One thing prevails, as we are all humans who have survived thus far despite the odds, we should feel empowered to do the things we love, regardless of our backgrounds.”

Active participation in the historical record

Murch drew from her work building the . She urged students to see themselves as active participants in shaping the historical record. Today’s research and digital footprints, she said, will become tomorrow’s archives, often without context or consent.

“Traditional archives ask people to trust systems that have already failed them,” Murch said. “Sealed records, classified documentation, institutional protection over individual truth. We needed a different approach.”

Raised in �鶹��ý, Murch’s story resonated locally. Her lecture tied global conflict to familiar questions about memory, military presence and accountability.

A globally respected historian from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has earned one of the highest honors in her field, recognizing decades of scholarship that reshaped how the world understands Southeast Asia.

Professor emerita Barbara Watson Andaya received the from the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), a leading international organization dedicated to advancing research and teaching on Asia.

Andaya is widely known for her work on early modern Southeast Asia. Over the course of her career, her research has significantly influenced how historians interpret the region’s history and cultural development.

“Professor Barbara Andaya has been a true academic treasure to UH ����ԴDz� during her career, and we are absolutely delighted to see her hard work and devotion recognized by our international association,” said Miriam Stark, director of the UH ����ԴDz� .

Early Path

Known to many as “Barb,” Andaya grew up in Sydney, Australia. With parents involved in science and academia, she developed an early interest in education and research. She earned degrees in history and education from the University of Sydney and began her professional career as a high school teacher.

A shift in curriculum eventually brought her to UH ����ԴDz�, where she completed her master’s degree in Southeast Asian history as an East-West Center fellow. She later joined the faculty and was promoted to full professor in 1996.

Research Impact

Her scholarly expertise centers on the Malay-Indonesian world. Since 2014, she has published more than 30 works, including , which was recognized as an outstanding academic title. She also served as director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies from 2000 to 2006.

UH Press Honors

The recognition comes alongside additional accolades tied to UH. Two titles from the books, and , received 2026 Association for Asian Studies prizes.

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� students played a central role in a landmark Southeast Asian film project now completed after years of collaboration. Through a partnership led by the (CSEAS) and the Vietnam Film Institute in Hanoi, more than 70 classic Vietnamese feature films have been digitized and subtitled in English.

The work began in the classroom. In 2007, CSEAS launched a film translation and subtitling course that trained UH ����ԴDz� students with advanced Southeast Asian language skills. Students translated dialogue, timed subtitles and helped prepare films for international viewing. Their work laid the foundation for a long-term effort focused on Vietnamese cinema. Former CSEAS associate director Paul Rausch created the course which was taught by John McGlynn.

Over time, the project grew into one of the program’s most active collaborations. The resulting catalog spans films released between 1959 and 2010.

The films are formatted for streaming on laptops, desktop computers and handheld devices. They are intended for libraries and classrooms, not large theaters or festivals. To support viewers who are hearing impaired, captioning was added alongside English subtitles.

Foundational support for this project was provided through CSEAS‘s designation as a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center.

For more on the catalog email vietnamcinemalibrary@gmail.com. Go to the for the full story.

—By Motoki Saito Yamamori

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� hosted the 2025 Southeast Asian Language Council (SEALC) Symposium on September 26 and 27, welcoming more than 100 educators and researchers from across the globe, both in person and online. The two-day gathering showcased innovative research and teaching practices in Southeast Asian language education.

“Our university’s longstanding commitment to Southeast Asian language instruction and the expertise of our faculty and staff made our university an excellent venue for this workshop,” Miriam Stark, director of UH ����ԴDz�’s (CSEAS). “We were honored to host our SEALC colleagues at the event, and look forward to extending the collaborations that it launched.”

Shared expertise

More than 30 paper and panel presentations explored a wide range of topics, from proficiency-based reading and listening assessments to project-based learning and curriculum innovations. Participants represented leading institutions such as UCLA, Harvard, and universities from across Southeast Asia.

Since its founding, SEALC has been instrumental in strengthening Southeast Asian language teaching in the U.S. and abroad through professional development workshops, materials design, and assessment innovation.

This year’s symposium was supported by funds from a Henry Luce Foundation grant awarded to CSEAS. The event was organized by Jayson Parba and Precious Arao (UH ����ԴDz� ), in collaboration with Erlin Barnard of the SEALC Steering Committee and UW–Madison. Additional support was provided by Peter Arnade, dean of the , the SEALC Steering Committee and a dedicated team of volunteers.

—Jayson Parba and Precious Arao

For more than two weeks this summer, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� welcomed 13 museum and heritage professionals from across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands to share knowledge, sharpen skills and reflect on shared challenges. CSEAS hosted the inaugural Face2Face Workshop of the Asia-Pacific Museum Exchange (APME)–at UH ����ԴDz�, July 15–30.

Each day focused on a theme, from disaster planning and object-based storytelling to digital preservation and curating exhibitions. Sessions were led by local experts and held at institutions such as , , , and . The group also visited UH ����ԴDz� resources such as the Hawaiian Pacific Collection, the Center for Oral History and the Campus Arboretum.

Hands-on activities were central. Participants crafted exhibit narratives from their own museum collections and also practiced digital storytelling. Talk story sessions with �鶹��ý-based professionals, including those with Native Hawaiian heritage, sparked deep conversations on cultural resources, community engagement and digital access.

“This workshop brought together incredible regional expertise and local knowledge,” said Teri Skillman, associate director of CSEAS. “We were honored to host these professionals in �鶹��ý and to witness the depth of mutual learning and collaboration that emerged. Our goal is to build a network across islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific that supports specialists in cultural and heritage institutions.”

Participants came from Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Palau, Solomon Islands, American Samoa, Saipan and Vanuatu. Their expertise ranged from collections care and exhibition design to cultural education, digital archives, and preservation of Indigenous knowledge.

Platform for collaboration, professional growth, peer support

The 16-day workshop was the first major in-person event since the program launched this spring with a virtual webinar series by the National Park Service’s Museum Management Program. Together, they form a growing platform for collaboration, professional growth and peer support.

APME is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Heritage Exchange Initiative–a series of cultural heritage focused programs to strengthen ties between the United States and Pacific Island and Southeast Asian nations and build professional networks across the ocean we share. With support from the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the U.S. National Park Service’s Museum Management Program and CSEAS developed and implemented APME via the �鶹��ý-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU; Task Agreement P24AC00688).

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s has acquired a remarkable piece of history, one of the .

The map comes from a rare Rome edition of Cosmographia by Claudius Ptolemy, a geographer from ancient Alexandria whose ideas shaped how the world was visualized for centuries. This version is special for an additional reason. It was printed by Konrad Sweynheim, a 15th century German printer and engraver who pioneered copperplate printing in Italy.

The map was purchased by the UH Mānoa and gifted to the library.

“The Center for Southeast Asian Studies is proud to support the Maps and Southeast Asia Collection in Hamilton Library through funding from the National Resource Center grant from the International Foreign Language and Area Studies Program in the U.S. Department of Education,” said Teri Skillman, associate director of CSEAS.

Hamilton Library helped bring the map to life through high-resolution imaging that will allow students and researchers to study it in detail without touching the fragile original.

“This is the oldest map in Hamilton Library and it enhances the already world-class Southeast Asia collection,” said Ted Kwok a geospatial librarian at Hamilton Library.

Rome’s finest maps

Sweynheim began work on the maps in 1474 and trained mathematicians to engrave copper plates, a process that would dominate Italian mapmaking for more than 100 years. Although he died before the atlas was published, his legacy lives on. The plates were completed by his colleague Arnold Buckinck, also known as Pannartz.

Many historians consider the Rome edition to be the finest set of Ptolemaic maps produced before the rise of Gerard Mercator’s world atlas in 1578.

The map will be part of the library’s or MAGIS collection, expanding UH Mānoa’s holdings in global historical geography.

graduate student at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� will officially premiere a new short documentary on campus this month spotlighting systemic oppression facing a Pakistani woman. PhD student, Haider Rifaat directed, wrote, narrated and produced In Shackles, which will be screened on Friday, January 24, at 1 p.m. in , Room 306.

The short documentary chronicles the life of Shamim, a 34-year-old Pakistani woman navigating the harsh realities of a patriarchal society in a village in Islamabad. Her story focuses on forced marriage and sexual violence, which are connected to more complex societal problems facing Pakistanis, including religious hypocrisy, impact of family conditioning on children and the culture of silence surrounding violence.

“The film’s title In Shackles is a metaphor to describe helplessness of a woman experiencing personal and professional problems that are connected to broader, more complex societal issues in Pakistan,” said Rifaat.

At only 29 years, Rifaat, who produced the film under his production label Haider Rifaat (HR) Films, is not only a filmmaker but an accomplished journalist and an actor. Through In Shackles, he critiques Pakistan’s legal system, particularly the Child Marriage Restraint Act, which sets the minimum marriage age for girls at 16.

“Although the short documentary supports women’s rights, it also centers on complex sociopolitical and legalistic problems that prevent women from progressing. Just like the controversial zina (illicit sexual intercourse) ordinances incarcerated female rape victims under Zia ul Haq’s controversial regime, laws surrounding child marriages aren’t accomplishing anything better for girls either. Setting the legal age of marriage for girls to 16 years may give families an opportunity to have their daughters marry without consent, which falls under forced marriage,” Rifaat added.

Rifaat’s film will also be released simultaneously on YouTube under following the premiere event.

The premiere is sponsored by the UH ����ԴDz� , , and , a policy think tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

A newly awarded grant aims to reconnect Filipino youth with their heritage, thanks to an ongoing cultural education project spearheaded by the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (CSEAS). The center has been awarded a $64,648 National Resource Center grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will support the expansion of the .

Led by UH ����ԴDz� Professor Pia Arboleda, who teaches Filipino language and culture at UH ����ԴDz�, the workshops are geared toward fostering a sense of belonging and pride among Filipino youth, many of whom are second or third-generation immigrants. First piloted in 2019 at Saint Louis School, Pamana ng Lahi, which means “heritage of the people” in Tagalog, started off as a three-week, intensive course that introduced the �鶹��ý high schoolers to both the Tagalog-based Filipino language, Philippine geography, food, and other aspects of Filipino culture.

“Pamana ng Lahi speaks of the things that our ancestors bequeathed to us—their language, ancient knowledge, and cultural traditions,” said Arboleda. “The lessons learned go beyond the classroom—they are lessons of identity, heritage, and pride that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

Baybayin, folklore, and food

Since its inception, the program has expanded into even more high schools and has reached more than 200 students across �鶹��ý and the continental U.S. In the islands, schools like Waipahu, Farrington, Maryknoll, Punahou, and Maui High have hosted workshops featuring lessons in baybayin (ancient Philippine script), food, folklore and mythology, with more tailored programming planned under the new funding.

A Maui High student described that the workshop helped them discover a part of themselves that they didn’t realize was missing.

Pamana ng Lahi continues to broaden its reach. On September 30, Arboleda presented a special talk titled which focused on the food culture of the central Philippines.

Editor’s note: The federal government withdrew grant funding for this research in 2025.

A groundbreaking project by University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� researchers to document the cultural heritage of Cambodia’s Kuy communities has been supported by a new three-year, $126,265 grant from the .

Professor and Director Miriam Stark and National Chengchi University Associate Professor Courtney Work (also a UH ����ԴDz� graduate affiliate faculty member in anthropology) are co-directing the project “Of Water, Crocodiles, and Kings: Co-producing Kuy history in the Prey Lang Forest, Cambodia.” Responding to the Kuy communities’ request, the project will train local community residents in documenting culturally important sites. This collaborative approach seeks to decolonize knowledge production by ensuring Kuy perspectives shape the research process.

The Kuy people have maintained their cultural practices through significant historical periods, including the Khmer Empire, French colonialism, and the Khmer Rouge era. However, they now face challenges from rapid economic development and deforestation.

“This project resonates with �鶹��ý’s efforts to preserve Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, highlighting the University of �鶹��ý’s commitment to supporting Indigenous communities locally and globally,” Stark said.

Starting January 2025, the team will conduct ethnographic and archaeological fieldwork in five Kuy communities. The project brings together specialists from multiple fields to help preserve oral traditions and sacred places, largely under Work’s direction. Stark will lead the archaeological documentation and training program component.

By combining Indigenous and academic skills and knowledge, the initiative aims to provide new insights into how oral traditions, documented histories, and pre-Angkorian material remains interact in living landscapes. The findings will contribute to K–12 history lessons and provincial museum exhibits, supporting local knowledge production and grassroots historical perspectives.

The Department of Anthropology is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is housed in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� is expanding its (CAPA) initiative this fall, providing students with valuable skills and knowledge to pursue careers in government, education, business, and the nonprofit sector related to the Asia-Pacific region. Launched in October 2023 by the (SPAS), CAPA aims to bolster career readiness and professional development opportunities for UH ����ԴDz� students.

• Related UH News story: New Asia-Pacific affairs career initiative in motion, October 10, 2023

This semester, CAPA is rolling out a new webinar speaker series, beginning with “International Education Careers: Nothing Adventured, Nothing Attained” on September 18 at 3 p.m. via Zoom. ()

“Our first CAPA talk of the fall series will feature UH ����ԴDz� alumni who have teaching careers overseas,” said Teri Skillman, associate director at UH ����ԴDz� (CSEAS). “They will speak about their process of obtaining a job, the value of the UH degree, and the importance of their language skills in their education career.”

Strategic grant funding

The CAPA initiative complements the Indo-Pacific Affairs Initiative in SPAS, supported by Congressionally-directed funding from 2022–25, which aims to strengthen UH ����ԴDz�’s expertise in Asia and the Pacific Islands. This funding supports various components, including the newly established Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, paid internships, visiting experts, and enhanced educational and professional development opportunities.

A key component of CAPA is a $1.13 million grant from the International Foreign Language and Area Studies Office of the U.S. Department of Education, which designates CSEAS as a National Resource Center (NRC). This funding aims to enhance career readiness using Southeast Asian languages and area studies expertise.

“The absolute priorities for the grant align with the UH system career readiness priorities and with the state’s ,” said Miriam Stark, director at CSEAS. “This is an effort to enhance career readiness using Southeast Asian languages and area studies expertise to succeed in the workplace and meet national needs.”

Inaugural course

This fall, CAPA also introduced its first course, ASAN 305: Career Pathways in Asian Studies, which explores various careers related to and helps students develop the skills needed to translate academic success into meaningful careers.

“It’s a hands-on course that draws on our recent research on Asia-related workforce needs and alumni placements, putting those research results to practical use for our students,” said Cathryn Clayton, an associate professor and chair of Asian studies who developed and teaches the course.

CAPA’s upcoming events include workshops on civic engagement, funding opportunities, and publication writing, providing students with comprehensive resources to navigate Asia-Pacific related careers.

Faculty in the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (DURP), conducted a summer course in Indonesia designed to enable students to appreciate challenges of urbanization, climate change and resilience in the Global South. This is the third year UH ����ԴDz� has offered a two-week immersive program in partnership with the urban and regional planning department at Diponegoro University (UNDIP) in Semarang.

“The courses offered faculty and students from both universities an opportunity to share their knowledge and creativity in responding to urban environmental problems,” said Priyam Das, an associate professor in DURP who co-designed the co-led joint course in Indonesia. “UH ����ԴDz� students learned about resilience and informality—of settlements, services and solutions—by engaging with local communities in Semarang.”

Neighborhood visits

During the course, students attended lectures, conducted field research, and visited local neighborhoods facing unique and significant challenges. Studio-style group work enabled students to collaboratively analyze problems and propose potential solutions. They shared their findings and ideas at public presentations that concluded the program.

“Immersive and collaborative international learning experiences are essential to equip future professionals with the skills and sensitivity needed to tackle the urban challenges of a globalized world,” said Ashok Das, an associate professor in DURP, who conceived the collaborative program and led its design.

Critical learning

UH ����ԴDz� graduate student Lahela Mattos took her first trip outside the U.S. to Indonesia. The kānaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) scholar is part of the program at DURP. She aspires to become a professional planner and create spaces that allow Indigenous peoples to reclaim and flourish their cultural identities.

“Being able to see the effects of SLR [sea level rise] really helped me to understand what we will be facing as urban planners…we realized that planning interventions are limited for places that have already been inundated,” Mattos said.

These courses have been partly supported by the LuceSEA Transitions: Environment, Society and Change grant awarded to UH ����ԴDz�’s and .

DURP is housed in the UH ����ԴDz� .

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (CSEAS) hopes to empower museum and heritage professionals who are at the forefront of preserving the culture, collections, and traditions across the Asia-Pacific Region thanks to a $429,872 grant. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Cultural Heritage Center (CHC), the award will support a two-year Asia-Pacific Museum Exchange Program.

“We hope this project can draw on local knowledge to forge closer linkages between Asia-Pacific neighbors that creates new synergies and strengthens museums and heritage organizations,” said Miriam Stark, director at CSEAS.

The program will provide professional development for mid-career professionals working in small to medium-size museums and cultural centers in islands of Southeast Asia and western Pacific islands.

CSEAS aims to guide participants to explore Indigenous knowledge in conservation, utilize digital tools to engage communities, and master advanced techniques in collections management. Applications for the program will be open November 4–22.

Virtual and in-person training

The training will begin in spring 2025 with a series of virtual workshops, followed by two intensive, in-person workshops in Honolulu, scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026. The workshops will provide hands-on experience, direct interaction with experts, and the chance to build lasting professional connections.

CSEAS is seeking applicants from across the Asia-Pacific, including the islands of Southeast Asia nations and Pacific Island territories such as the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Guam.

This program is made possible through the �鶹��ý-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, a partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s CHC, National Park Service and UH ����ԴDz� CSEAS.

“Having this opportunity to work with the State Department and Park Service to enhance Asia-Pacific Museum networks is a real honor for our university and center, and we look forward to linking together colleagues across the region through these events,.” said Miriam Stark, director of CSEAS.

For more information, contact Teri Skillman at skillman@hawaii.edu or visit the .

Loved ones, colleagues, and students gathered at the University of �鶹��ý College Hill president’s house on May 3 to celebrate the retirement of Barbara and Leonard Andaya, two esteemed and professors at �鶹��ý����ԴDz�. Known for their exemplary research, the couple has been a powerhouse in Southeast Asian studies, writing extensively on the history of Indonesia and Malaysia for many decades. Leonard started his career at UH ����ԴDz� in 1993, and Barbara followed in 1994.

“A lifetime of scholarship and dedication to educating students have been Barbara and Leonard Andaya’s gifts to Southeast Asian studies,” said Miriam Stark, director of the UH (CSEAS). “Our friends and colleagues will also miss their passion for their fields and enthusiasm for people, which enriched our university and helped us all become better people.”

A scholarly odyssey

Barbara Watson Andaya, affectionately known as “Barb,” hails from Sydney, Australia. With an academic father and a microbiologist mother, she was inspired to pursue education early on. She earned a BA and a Diploma of Education in history and English from the University of Sydney, then taught high school social studies. A curriculum change led her to UH ����ԴDz�, where she completed her MA in Southeast Asian history as an East-West Center fellow. She joined the faculty at UH ����ԴDz� as an associate professor in Asian studies. In 1996, she became a professor and also served as editor for the UH Press until 1999. Her area of expertise is the western Malay-Indonesian Archipelago. Since 2014, she has authored no fewer than 34 publications, including The Flaming Womb, recognized as an outstanding academic book. Professor Andaya also directed the UH CSEAS from 2000 to 2006.

From Maui to global influence

Born and raised on Maui to Ilocano-speaking immigrant parents, Leonard Andaya was naturally drawn to Southeast Asia. He studied at Yale University and, inspired by his professors, pursued Southeast Asian studies. He continued his studies in the Netherlands and at Cornell University, then planted his roots at UH ����ԴDz�. During his career at the university, he published influential books such as Leaves of the Same Tree and A History of Early Modern Southeast Asia, co-authored with Barbara. Leonard directed the UH CSEAS for six years in the 90s.

The symposium honoring their enduring legacy was jointly organized by the Department of History, Department of Asian Studies and Center for Southeast Asian Studies at UH ����ԴDz�.

This spring, the welcomed three revered Buddhist monks who have dedicated their lives to teaching peace, love and compassion. Venerable Kou Sopheap and Venerable Hak Sienghai traveled from Cambodia, joined by Venerable Sok Theavy, a resident monk on �鶹��ý Island toured the Mānoa campus and delivered a webinar for both in-person and virtual audiences.

Hosted by the UH Mānoa (CSEAS), the hybrid webinar at explored Buddhism’s role in Cambodia’s recovery from conflict, reflecting on its absence during the Khmer Rouge regime and the subsequent peace efforts since 1992. They shared the importance of non-violence, and problem-solving in an effort to demonstrate how ancient wisdom can address modern challenges.

“I believe these conversations about mindfulness and peace need to be more prevalent on campus,” said Sothy Eng, a UH Mānoa associate professor in . “Raising awareness through such discussions is important for our campus community.”

The monks also met with leaders from the (EWC). They learned about the center’s various programs that engage Cambodian students, scholars, researchers. EWC also offers graduate fellowships for study at UH Mānoa and leadership programs such as the .

CSEAS, and EWC collaborated to host this event, which aligns with UH’s commitment to fostering cultural understanding and global dialogue.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa hosted a special delegation led by Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dzung from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. On May 22, the delegation, hailing from Washington D.C., engaged with UH Mānoa faculty and students, fostering dialogue and collaboration.

“UH Mānoa has long been regarded as a world leader in Southeast Asian studies. We hope this visit encourages our university to support more efforts to partner with Vietnamese universities that celebrate Vietnamese culture and language in Vietnam and across its diaspora, including �鶹��ý,” said Miriam Stark, director of the UH .

Ambassador Dzung stressed the importance of educational ties between Vietnam and the U.S. focusing on trade, investment, technological innovation and reconciliation efforts. He praised the success of the at the , which has seen more than 1,000 graduates. Through VEMBA, the business school partners with Van Lang University in Vietnam to train, guide and prepare Vietnam’s top executives who want to elevate their management skills.

The delegation was welcomed by Stark, Spencer Kimura (director of in the and Vance Roley, dean at Shidler. Nori Tarui, an professor and research fellow at the , moderated discussions.

A quest to redefine Southeast Asian studies is underway at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�. In spring 2024, the (CSEAS) embarked on a transformative mission, aiming to diversify voices and perspectives within academia.

The majority of influential Southeast Asian literature is authored by Western scholars, with comparatively fewer contributions from Southeast Asian and other non-Western intellectuals. In collaboration with Michigan State University’s (MSU) Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Sopheak Chann, a CSEAS’s faculty fellow at MSU, helped conceive and organize the LuceSEA webinar series on decolonizing Southeast Asia.

“To decolonize literature is to recondition the processes of knowledge production,” said Chann. “We invited speakers from diverse backgrounds and geographies to discuss decolonizing Southeast Asia Studies by exploring four conditions in which Southeast Asia literature is produced: learning, teaching, researching and writing.”

In-depth discussion

The , a virtual platform named in honor of the Henry Luce Foundation, a key supporter of CSEAS at UH ����ԴDz�, divided the series into four sessions: Relearning Southeast Asia, Reteaching Southeast Asia, Researching Southeast Asia and Rewriting Southeast Asia. Organizers invite educators to incorporate the video series as a resource into their syllabi and curriculum.

In the webinar, , graduate students from various regions in Southeast Asia; Sara Loh (Malaysia), Dalilah Laidin (Brunei) and Ariel Mota Alves (Timor-Leste) shared their educational experiences. Moderated by Ehito Kimura, an associate professor in at UH ����ԴDz�, the session prompted students to reflect on their field school experiences and their impact on understanding Southeast Asia.

delved into urban planning and policy issues. Led by Miriam Stark, director of CSEAS, and featuring UH ����ԴDz� Professors Ashok and Priyam Das from the , the session re-examined colonial legacies and their influence on urban landscapes.

highlighted the importance of flexible research methodologies. From Cambodia to Thailand, panelists shared their academic journeys, offering insights into colonial histories and enriching scholarly discourse.

showcased the complexities of data analysis and publication challenges. Panelists from different disciplines and nationalities delved into the intricacies of scholarly production in Southeast Asia.

Funding for the series came from the Henry Luce Foundation Southeast Asia Initiative, which is part of the five-year grant to CSEAS.

A University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� expert in Cambodian anthropology and archaeology has earned a Fulbright fellowship to use her decades of research to provide academic and research assistance for the Southeast Asian nation.

Professor and Director Miriam Stark will spend two weeks from late April to mid May 2024 at the Royal University of Phnom Penh to complete an academic capacity-building and program evaluation project for the faculty of social sciences and humanities. Stark will provide professional development workshops for early career faculty who are on track for a PhD, as well as review the Khmer studies (Cambodian studies) MA and PhD programs and curriculum that are offered at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Her project builds on previous collaborations with the university, and meets the Fulbright mission to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities both in the U.S. and overseas.

“My goal is to help give back to Cambodia,” Stark said. “I’ve had the honor of working in Cambodia since 1996 as one of a small handful of U.S.-based faculty who perform research in Cambodia. I have worked since 1996 with Royal University of Fine Arts, and am supporting the Royal University of Phnom Penh as part of my directorship of the UH ����ԴDz� Center for Southeast Asian Studies, which is a Federal Title VI National Resource Center.”

Stark joined UH ����ԴDz� in 1995 as a Southeast Asian archaeologist. She specializes in Southeast Asian archaeology, particularly Cambodia’s deep history, to explore questions surrounding the emergence of cities, the role of religion in state formation, and points of fragility and resilience in long-term histories.

She has garnered numerous teaching awards and professional accolades, including service on national professional boards, a 2011 Fulbright award to Taiwan and an appointment by President Joe Biden to serve in one of the three archaeologist positions on the 11-member U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee in the U.S. Department of State.

Stark will join more than 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the each year. Recipients of these awards are selected based on her academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

The Department of Anthropology is housed in the and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies is housed in the .