{"id":79387,"date":"2018-05-08T16:37:27","date_gmt":"2018-05-09T02:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=79387"},"modified":"2020-08-07T11:35:15","modified_gmt":"2020-08-07T21:35:15","slug":"students-record-memories-to-preserve-waialuas-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2018\/05\/08\/students-record-memories-to-preserve-waialuas-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Students record memories to preserve Waialua\u2019s past"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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North Shore Field School narrators: (back, left to right) Keith Awai, Gay Bisch-Timon, Herbert Chun; (front, left to right) Kanani Awai, Emmaline Causey, George Kekuawela ʻ\u0100ʻ\u012b<\/span>, Mary Chun. Photo: Makoa Freitas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The past can only be preserved in the present, and in spring 2018, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa North Shore Field School<\/a> guided students in the recording of oral history to preserve the experiences of k\u016bpuna in Waialua.<\/p>\n

The field school, in a partnership with Kamehameha Schools, started in 2013 as an archaeology\/anthropology program where students learned techniques in low impact archaeology at culturally significant sites on the North Shore of Oʻahu<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In spring 2018, the focus shifted to ethnography and the research of life stories, rather than artifacts. The first oral history ethnographic field school ran jointly through the departments of anthropology<\/a> and ethnic studies<\/a>, and worked with the Waialua Hawaiian Civic Club to connect k\u016bpuna with students for the project. Malia Evans<\/strong>, who holds a master\u2019s in applied archaeology from UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa, acted as co-instructor of the class, and Kaumakaman\u014dkalanip\u014d Anae<\/strong> served as graduate assistant.<\/p>\n

The class of 16 was a mix of undergraduate and graduate students representing majors in anthropology, ethnic studies, Hawaiian studies and English. The k\u016bpuna, who were called “narrators,” shared experiences in Waialua ranging from music to genealogy to ranching.<\/p>\n

A sense of place and responsibility<\/h2>\n
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Keith and Kanani Awai speaking with students during a recording session. Photo: Jesse Stephen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As part of the research process, the students took field trips around Waialua and worked with Kepa Maly, ethnographer and executive director of the L\u0101naʻi<\/span> Culture and Heritage Center, who shared ideas on responsible oral history work.<\/p>\n

“We wanted to make sure the students had the history of Waialua, to touch base with the historical sites,” said Associate Professor Ty Tengan<\/strong>, director of the field school.<\/p>\n

“The approach we used placed importance on our narrators\u2019 comfort and ease with the whole process, not just our own goals or interest,” said Kuʻulei<\/span> Freed<\/strong>, an anthropology major graduating in spring 2018. “Because of that, the whole process and outcome was enjoyable for everyone.”<\/p>\n

Freed served as the the field school\u2019s undergraduate assistant and team leader for the group that interviewed Keith Awai and his mother Kanani who shared their memories of plantation life, the closeness of the community and their love of music.<\/p>\n

“What was good was that it was new to them too,” said Keith Awai. “They were doing it for the first time, and we were being interviewed for the first time, so we just went with the flow.”<\/p>\n

Narration, transcription and connection<\/h2>\n
\"Kupuna<\/a>
Kanani Awai at the h\u014dʻike<\/span>. Photo: Makoa Freitas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the interviews, the students transcribed the recordings, worked through the editorial process and sought guidance from their narrators and each other as they compiled their research into Story Maps under the tutelage of archaeologist Jesse Stephen.<\/p>\n

While the goal of the project was to record the stories to preserve the past, the students and narrators appreciated the opportunity to foster connections with each other in the present.<\/p>\n

“Even though it was just for a few meetings, we became really close,” said Awai. “That was really nice.”<\/p>\n

At the final h\u014dʻike<\/span> the students shared their Story Maps with their narrators, families and Waialua community. About 100 people attended the event, and students had the opportunity to thank the narrators and share a final meal with them.<\/p>\n

Many of the students, and some of the narrators, plan to continue recording oral history and stay in touch with each other.<\/p>\n

Said Freed, “we will still be keeping up with these k\u016bpuna even after the class has officially ended.”<\/p>\n

See the Story Maps<\/h2>\n

Story maps are best viewed on desktop or laptop computer.<\/p>\n