A new student-designed mural depicting shark goddess Kaʻahupāhau, and her brother, Kahiʻukā greets students and visitors to ’s Learning Commons and Library. The installment, “Nā Kiaʻi o Puʻuloa (The Protectors of Puʻuloa),” was art student Taylor Wilson’s way of highlighting the guardians of the region.

Leeward CC’s Learning Commons and Library faculty and staff had requested a window covering that could reduce glare and filter light coming through the large mauka facing windows of the building.

“We determined right away that we wanted to use this as an opportunity to display some of our Hawaiian moʻolelo (stories)—our Hawaiian traditions,” said Annemarie Paikai, Leeward CCʻ�� �鶹��ý-Pacific resource librarian. She, along with library faculty and staff, and art faculty, Erika Molyneux, sought the counsel of Momi Kamahele, Leeward CC’s Native Hawaiian Center coordinator, for ways to uplift the stories of the region.

This resulted in a spring 2022 semester project that involved several art classes. Students had to design a multi-panel mural that would eventually be printed on perforated vinyl and installed on the windows. Paikai shared the history and moʻolelo of Puʻuloa with the students, who then conducted their own research, and presented their artwork to a selection committee before a final piece was chosen.

“I was amazed by the variety of responses we got,” recalled Molyneux. “I was really impressed with their use of ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, both in the designs and in their titles, and how thoughtful their designs and reflections were.”

Ultimately, art student Wilson’s design was chosen for the mural.

“As ʻaumakua of Puʻuloa, Kaʻahupāhau and Kahiʻukā defended the area from man-eating sharks and provided for the people that lived here,” said Wilson. Showing a harmonious relationship was important to her, knowing that this piece would greet people as they enter the main campus. “I chose to focus on portraying the sharks more simply in harmony with the ocean, the fish, and the area,” said Wilson.

Wilson’s colorful depiction of the story of Kaʻahupāhau was created with careful considerations regarding style and color palette, “I started to think about mosaic pieces and how there’s a stained glass effect inside of cathedrals and how it brings a sense of peace and lets light in,” she said. “That’s why I chose brighter colors…as well as that big sun (in between the sharks) showing that there’s a light that they bring.”

The mural was installed in late November of 2022. “I absolutely love it,” said Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza. “It’s a shining example of a cross-campus collaboration that honors our efforts to indigenize Leeward.”

Wilson, who is still trying to take everything in, said, “Itʻ�� very surreal. It still hasn’t fully hit me. Every time I come to campus or I see the photos I just stand there in awe.”

On January 4, 2023, Leeward CC held a small dedication ceremony for the mural. Faculty and staff gathered for a short program that included a traditional Hawaiian dedication and appearances by key individuals who were involved in the project.

Also in attendance were two special guests: Lonnie Briggs, whose donations support Leeward’s Enrichment Fund and the Kimo Farrish Memorial Scholarship, and Mike Lee, who honors the memory of his late wife, Karen Fujishima-Lee (a former math instructor at Leeward CC) through a memorial scholarship in her name and the Fujishima-Lee Emergency Student Support Fund. Lee has also supported Leeward’s Food Service Enhancement Fund.

Learn more about .

Longtime Kalaupapa resident Ambrose Kanewaliʻi Hutchison is the subject of a talk by author and historian Anwei Law on Thursday, January 23, 5–6 p.m. at Hale Laʻakea Library Learning Commons.

Hutchison was born on Maui, the son of a Native Hawaiian woman and a Scottish physician. He developed Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, in his youth and was sent to Kalaupapa in 1879 at the age of 20. He spent the next 53 years there and left an indelible mark on Kalaupapa’s history that has only begun to be acknowledged in recent years.

Hutchison worked closely with, and outlived, most of the major figures in Kalaupapa’s early history including Father Damien, Mother Marianne, Rudolph Meyer, Queen Kapiʻolani, Queen Liliʻuokalani and Joseph Dutton. He wrote and re-copied hundreds of pages of his recollections of a lifetime at Kalaupapa.

Law’s talk “Ambrose K. Hutchison: The Story that No One Else Could Tell” is supported by Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa, the �鶹��ý Council for the Humanities and the IDEA Center for the Voices of Humanity.

This presentation is part of a series of events in conjunction with A Source of Light, Constant and Never Fading exhibit about Kalaupapa in the Windward CC library. Events and the exhibit are free and open to the public. Access to the third floor is available by elevator.

For more information about the exhibit and upcoming related events, and the �鶹��ý Collection Room at Hale Laʻakea, please contact Cindy Texeira at (808) 235-7340 or ctex@hawaii.edu.

—By Bonnie Beatson

and open A Source of Light, Constant and Never Fading, a historical exhibit about the strong relationship between the Royal Family of �鶹��ý and the people of Kalaupapa, along with other often forgotten chapters of the history of Kalaupapa.

The exhibit will launch on November 6 at Hale Laʻakea Library Learning Commons on the Windward CC campus and will run through late February.

A Source of Light, Constant and Never Fading uses 12 double-sided panels to feature historical and modern photographs, letters from the early residents of Kalaupapa, quotes from the aliʻi and the people of Kalaupapa, mele and other historical events often left out of traditional histories.

Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa is a nonprofit organization founded by the residents of Kalaupapa, their family members/descendants and friends of the community. The ʻohana is dedicated to honoring and remembering each of the nearly 8,000 people who were taken from their families and isolated on the Kalaupapa peninsula due to government policies regarding leprosy.

Exhibit events information

November 6, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Valerie Monson from Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa will introduce the exhibit at the opening reception, share the Ka ʻOhana mission and its current projects and give a walking tour of the exhibit. Relatives of Kalaupapa residents have been invited. The reception is free and the public is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

December 2, 5–6 p.m.

Colette Higgins, dean of academic affairs at Windward CC, will deliver a public presentation in the library titled “Three Queens & the People of Kalaupapa” about how three queens of �鶹��ý helped those who were sent to Kalaupapa.

For more information about the exhibit and upcoming related events, and the �鶹��ý Collection Room at Hale Laʻakea, please contact Cindy Texeira at (808) 235-7430 or ctex@hawaii.edu.

Out Loud in the Library! at presents award-winning authors Christy Passion and Donald Carreira Ching on October 27, 5:30–7 p.m. at Hale Laʻakea Library Learning Commons Atrium.

Out Loud in the Library! is a literary and music event celebrating the rich intersection of words and music by local artists, and is meant to inspire and encourage students to find their own creative voice through writing, reading, poetry, music and spoken word.

More about the featured artists

Donald Carreira Ching was born and raised in Kahaluʻu. He graduated with his master’s degree in creative writing from the , where he also received the Myrle Clark Award with distinction and the Sumie Saiki Award for Fiction. His short stories have appeared in Bamboo Ridge, �鶹��ý Review, Rio Grande Review, and on the radio program Aloha Shorts. In 2012, he was selected as the runner-up in the Honolulu Weekly fiction competition, winner in Honolulu Star Advertiser’s Halloween fiction contest and voted Best Writer in Pidgin in Honolulu Weekly’s Best of Honolulu. In 2014, he won the Ian MacMillan Fiction Competition. He currently lives and teaches on Oʻahu.

Christy Passion is a critical care nurse and poet whose works have appeared in local, mainland and international journals and anthologies, including Crab Creek Review, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, Blue Collar Review and Mauri Ola. She received the James A. Vaughn Award for Poetry, the Atlanta Review International Merit Award and the Academy of American Poetry Award. She co-authored , a collaboration of linked poetry. She works and resides in Honolulu.

For more information, contact English Instructor and Out Loud in the Library! Coordinator at (808) 236-9226 or susankcl@hawaii.edu.

—By Bonnie Beatson

Windward Community College’s received the at the 2013 Design Awards’ Shaping �鶹��ý Through Design Excellence gala and celebration on Wednesday, July 24.

The AIA Honolulu People’s Choice Award gives the public an opportunity to view AIA distinguished entrants and determine a winner by popular choice.

Architects �鶹��ý, principal Terry McFarland, accepted the award. “We used an integrated design process in which students, teachers and administrators were involved to help establish a design program and design direction,” said McFarland.

As the first green library in �鶹��ý, Library Learning Commons is an example of how architecture can contribute to the advancement of education and technology in the 21st century.

The Library Learning Commons features elements beyond a regular library including a media center, classrooms and a coffee shop. Open common areas, including the three-story atrium, bring in natural daylight creating a collaborative and efficient learning environment. As a focal point within the Windward campus, the library maintains the campus aesthetic of Spanish Mission Revival Architecture.

Along with state-of-the-art technology, unique features include its furniture made of recycled materials from the previously demolished building. The library is in the process of receiving the LEED Silver Certification.

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More on the Library Learning Commons

Other Library Learning Commons awards

• Building Industry Association, Renaissance Overall Grand Award for New Commercial project–2013
• Building Industry Association, Renaissance Grand Award, �鶹��ý Built Green Division, National Green Standard Commercial project–2013
• American School and University Educational Interiors Showcase, Outstanding Designs and Citation Winner–2013
• Masonry Institute of �鶹��ý, Project of the Year–2011

Videos featuring the Library Learning Commons

Additional UH AIA People’s Choice entries

Four UH facilities were up for this year’s AIA Honolulu People’s Choice Awards—Windward CC’s Library Learning Commons, UH Maui College’s ʻIke Leʻa Science Building, UH West Oʻahu and the UH Cancer Center.

presents the 3rd Annual Palikū Arts Festival, an interactive arts experience on Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. in and around the grounds of Palikū Theatre and the new Library Learning Commons on the Windward campus. A family friendly event, the Palikū Arts Festival will include free performances at Palikū Theatre, a free show at the , and fun hands-on opportunities to get involved in art, music, literature, theatre and movement. The festival is free to the public and open to all ages.

The festival’s emphasis is on “doing” art. Windward art professors, instructors and their students will be on hand—with supplies provided—to assist those who want to express their creativity in a variety of ways from painting, drawing, and sculpting to moving, acting or making music, prints, masks, poetry and prose.

Attendees are encouraged to come in costume or festive clothing. ʻOno food will be available.

• Music workshops with Sojin Kimura
• Gymnastics with Sarah Hadmack
• Garage Band with Renee Arakaki—making music on your computer
• Pottery wheel for kids with Paul Nash
• Camera obscura with Mark Hamasaki
• Open drawing studio with Norm Graffam—draw or have your portrait drawn
• Poetry with Janine Oshiro
• Woodcarving with Jordan Souza
• Hawaiian fiber art with Lufi Luteru
• Clay sculpture with Bryce Meyers
• Stage combat with Nick Logue
• Mask making with Yukie Shiroma
• Screen printing with Rob Molyneux—bring your own shirt to be printed or buy one
• Styrofoam printing with Christina Weisner
• Printmaking with the Honolulu Printmakers
• Acting with Taurie Kinoshita
• Screenwriting and fiction writing workshops with Chris McKinney and Desiree Poteet
• Kanikapila with Kaʻala Carmack and Kamuela Kimokeo—bring your instrument or voice
• Raku firing demonstrations

Palikū Theatre

The will feature free performances of music and drama throughout the day.

Hōkūlani Imaginarium

The will be showing Secrets of the Dragon, a family-friendly fulldome show for a nominal fee of $3. There will also be a free special event presentation of Music of the Spheres, a 20-minute contemporary visual and musical art show produced by Ebb and Flo Arts on Maui.

Gallery ʻIolani

The new exhibit Interior features installations by artists Mark Chai, Maura Fujihira, Keiko Hatano, Sally Lundburg, Mary Mitsuda, Chusak Majarone, Deanna Itano and Kamaile Puaoi.

Library Learning Commons

The new will be open for self-guided tours 10–2 p.m.

Music

Performances include The Royal Hawaiian Band, The 111th �鶹��ý Army National Guard Band, The Robert Joyce Experience, rock band Alice Neel featuring Dieter Runge, UH Saxophone Choir, Kailua High School Ban, and other Windward musical and stage talent.

—A

Out Loud in the Library at presents a reading, music and book signing of We Go Jam on Thursday, February 21, 6–8 p.m.

The newly released book, , is a collection of stories about �鶹��ý’s rich and diverse musical heritage published by the . Contributing authors Puakea Nogelmeier, Jerry Santos, Calvin Hoe, Thelma Chang, Aiko Yamashiro, and editor Susan Yim will be in attendance.

Out Loud in the Library is coordinated by Windward CC English instructor and award-winning poet Janine Oshiro. The event is sponsored by the �鶹��ý Council for the Humanities and Windward CC. It is free and open to the public.

“Nothing brings us together quite so wholeheartedly as does music, connecting us to a place and telling stories about ourselves and the world around us. We Go Jam is a pure humanities project and we are happy to join Windward Community College in celebrating the music of Kāneʻohe and Windward Oʻahu,” said HCH Executive Director Bob Buss.

Music, reading and book signing

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. at the breezeway entrance to Windward CC’s new Library Learning Commons. The college’s TRiO students will perform and refreshments will be provided.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m., activities move to the library atrium on the first floor with a special reading and more music.

The book will be on sale for a special price of $10 during the evening. Ten books will also be given away in a Write to Win contest. Participants can write 100 words or less about what a song, or music, means to them and bring it to the event or be inspired at the event.

For more information, contact Windward CC Marketing Director Bonnie Beatson at (808) 235-7374 or beatson@hawaii.edu.

Six “aunties” who performed at the historic Hawaiian Room will appear in-person on Thursday, December 6, 2 p.m. at ’s new Library Learning Commons in conjunction with a unique exhibit—The Hawaiian Room, Dine, Dance, Romance, The Lexington—marking the popular New York City attraction’s 75th anniversary. From 1937 to 1966, the Hawaiian Room at the Hotel Lexington in New York City featured prominent Hawaiian musicians and hula performers.

and the Hula Preservation Society are celebrating the anniversary with a multi-media exhibit, The Hawaiian Room, Dine, Dance, Romance, The Lexington, featuring photographs, newspaper clippings and oral history segments from the archives of the musicians and hula practitioners who made New York City their home while performing at the Hotel Lexington. Over the course of its 30-year run, The Hawaiian Room productions received rave reviews as an off-Broadway show.

Led by TeMoana Makolo, the aunties will share personal stories, their favorite hula and answer questions about their experiences as young people in New York City sharing the meaning of aloha to millions on the East Coast.

Exhibit on display at Hale Laʻakea

The Hawaiian Room, Dine, Dance, Romance, The Lexington will display at Hale Laʻakea (Library Learning Commons) lower level until December 17. The exhibit can be viewed Monday–Thursday, 7:45 a.m.–10 p.m. and Friday, 7:45 a.m.–4 p.m.

For more information, please contact Bonnie Beatson or call (808) 235-7374.

A time capsule dedication took place during the on August 29, 2012. The time capsule was sealed in a vault—complete with porthole and light for viewing—under the library’s grand stairway.

Students (some from the first graduating class of 1974), current college faculty and staff, and retirees provided items for the time capsule.

The vault and time capsule will remain sealed for 20 years and will be opened in 2032.

The library grand opening was part of Windward Community College’s 40th anniversary celebration.

or read the for more on Windward’s Library Learning Commons.

has a new heart. It’s a place for students to gather, collaborate, study and learn. A three story, 69-thousand square foot named Hale ����ʻ����� or Hall of Enlightment.

“I love it,” said Windward student Gianna Malia Maugeri. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’m stoked on it,” agreed fellow student Dallas Morgan. “It’s a really good experience.”

“It means a lot because now I have an actual place to study because our old library was so small and it just didn’t feel right,” said Windward student Kayleen Sur.

“When students walk in here, they’ve got that look of wonderment and amazement and just the sheer delight of knowing that we are really in college now,” said Windward Chancellor Doug Dykstra.

Construction started in 2010 and Hale ����ʻ����� was opened at the start of the 2012 fall semester. A blessing and grand opening was held to mark the completion of the 22 million dollar project, which replaced an 80-year old structure. Now the college’s library, computing services, media center and student services and labs that used to be scattered across the campus are all in one, very impressive building.

“A lot of us put a lot of hard work, our energy and we built this beautiful structure and we have a place for students to learn and study,” said Windward Head Librarian Nancy Heu.

The project was a decades old dream first conceived when libraries were quiet, strict places. Hale ����ʻ����� is a contemporary learning environment with it’s own coffee shop.

“It’s amazing. I actually got a caramel frappe today and it just feels way better,” said Morgan. “You know the library before was nice but it was really tiny and there is so much room here so it feels great.”

“Now we have this place where we could focus more, we have a bunch of computers, the printer is all set for us and the coffee shop so it’s pretty great,” agreed Sur.

The library also has longer hours now and is the first green library in the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ�� System with photovoltaic panels, a design that uses the natural light and much, much more. 80 percent of the building it replaced was recycled and much of it was reused in Hale ����ʻ�����.

“The benches are recycled. and everything is recycled and I see recycling upstairs, it’s awesome,” said Maugeri.

Administrators say this is just a beginning. The college hopes that the Hale ����ʻ����� is a magnet that brings the community to the campus as Windward looks to continue to expand it programs and facilities for things like Hawaiian Studies and biotechnology.

“We also want to get in on the ground floor on sustainable agriculture, aquaponics,” said Dykstra.

Another dream that will one day become a reality…like Hale ����ʻ�����.