Center for Oral History at UH Mānoa

Today! 4:30-6:30pm, George 212 and Zoom.

Join us for a screening of “Local People,”a dramatic stage production in 1981-1982 based on the oral history interviews conducted by COH and produced by former COH Director Chad Taniguchi. Playwright and director Tremaine Tamayose went through 252 oral history interviews to create a script that went on to be performed by kūpuna and Farrington High School students.

The show traveled the paeʻāina, with twelve performances held on Oʻahu, three on Hawaiʻi Island, three on Kauaʻi, and two on Maui for a total of 20 performances reaching nearly 10,000 audience members. The production was later video-taped by Hawaiʻi Public Television and aired in 1983, with copies made available to schools and community groups.

We are excited to share this piece of history from our archive and engage in meaningful dialogue about the value of oral history and what it means to activate these interviews in meaningful and respectful ways.

RSVP at the link in our bio.

Local People Screening & Talk Story with former COH Director Chad Taniguchi

February 26, 4:30-6:30pm
George Hall 212, UH Mānoa & Zoom

Join us to watch Local People, a dramatic stage production in 1981-1982 based on the oral history interviews conducted by COH and produced by former COH Director Chad Taniguchi.

In the program for Local People, Chad wrote: “For the actors, directors, and support staff this has been a productive learning experience-about Hawaii’s rich history and about some of the challenges of theatre. The students and seniors have developed more self-confidence, an understanding and appreciation of each other, and a spirit of camaraderie.
We hope LOCAL PEOPLE will contribute to your knowledge and understanding of Hawaii’s people and their history. We also encourage more discussion and reflective interaction between grandchildren, parents, and grandparents. There is much to be learned from each other.”

Playwright and director Tremaine Tamayose went through 252 oral history interviews to create a script that went on to be performed by kūpuna and Farrington High School students. The show traveled the paeʻāina, with twelve performances held on Oʻahu, three on Hawaiʻi Island, three on Kauaʻi, and two on Maui for a total of 20 performances reaching nearly 10,000 audience members. The production was later video-taped by Hawaiʻi Public Television and aired in 1983, with copies made available to schools and community groups.

We are excited to share this piece of history from our archive and engage in meaningful dialogue about the value of oral history and what it means to activate these interviews in meaningful and respectful ways.

RSVP at the link in our bio.

Local People Screening & Talk Story with former COH Director Chad Taniguchi

February 26, 4:30-6:30pm
George Hall 212, UH Mānoa OR Zoom

Join us to watch Local People, a dramatic stage production in 1981-1982 based on the oral history interviews conducted by COH and produced by former COH Director Chad Taniguchi. Playwright and director Tremaine Tamayose went through 252 oral history interviews to create a script that went on to be performed by kūpuna and Farrington High School students. The show traveled the paeʻāina, with twelve performances held on Oʻahu, three on Hawaiʻi Island, three on Kauaʻi, and two on Maui for a total of 20 performances reaching nearly 10,000 audience members. The production was later video-taped by Hawaiʻi Public Television and aired in 1983, with copies made available to schools and community groups.

🌟

Here’s a few reviews students from Waimea, Kauaʻi wrote to Chad Taniguchi in April 1985:

“I thought “Local People” was great because I learned a lot about my own heritage. And I didnʻt know that some people whipped someone for not working fast enough. itʻs a good thing that I donʻt get whipped for not working fast.
Sincerely, Walton.”

🌟

“I enjoyed your show on “Local People.” Now I kind of got the idea how they lived way back before. How hard it was for the Filipinos to get a job to earn money. Everybody was afraid of them. Iʻm glad those days are gone because Iʻm a Filipino. Your show was great!
Love, Cheryl”

🌟

“I really liked your show, “Local People.” Since the people acting in the show talked mostly Pidgin, it was easier for me to understand.
I learned a lot. I didnʻt know that my Japanese culture went that way back. I never knew about picture brides. I bet you learned a lot too—unless you already knew about all of the cultures before.
Anyway, Iʻve got to go now. Hope you enjoyed reading my letter.
Sincerely yours, Kara”

🌟

We are excited to share this piece of history from our archive and engage in meaningful dialogue about the value of oral history and what it means to activate these interviews in meaningful and respectful ways.

RSVP at the link in our bio.

Aloha!

We are pleased to announce that a new scholarspace collection is launched.

"Lahainaluna Native Hawaiian Boarding Students Oral History Project"

Date: 📆 April 17, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm- 6:30 pm
Location: Zoom

Register with the QR code or through our bio linktree!

Between 2022-2024, the Center for Oral History (COH) conducted a mo‘o‘ōlelo (oral history) project focused on the memories of Native Hawaiian Lahainaluna boarding students from approximately 1950-1999. Led by Dr. Ty Kāwika Tengan and Graduate Research Assistant Wailana Medeiros with support from COH Associate Director Micah Mizukami and former Director and Professor Emerita Davianna Pōmaikaʻi McGregor, more than twenty interviews were conducted across the Paeʻāina (Hawaiian Islands) and nineteen were made available to publish. This project was generously funded by the HK West Maui Fund and would not have been possible without the support of the Lahainaluna Boarders Association and the Lahainaluna Library and Archives.

Congratulations to our Center for Oral History ‘ohana graduates! Your dedication to preserving history has made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for all you've done. Wishing you joy, resilience, and success on your next journey!

📢 Job Opportunity: The Center for Oral History is hiring for (2) positions.
▪️1 Graduate Research Assistant (Center for Oral History, UH Mānoa)
▪️1 Undergraduate Research Assistant (Center for Oral History, UH Mānoa)

▫️GA Position
The Center for Oral History is hiring a Graduate Research Assistant to contribute to a special project documenting the experiences of Korean POWs in Hawai‘i during WWII.

📝 Desirable:
- Korean language proficiency
- Oral history experience

◽️Undergraduate Research Assistant
We're looking for a full-time UH Mānoa student with experience in conducting and transcribing interviews regarding Lahaina Jodo Mission.

📝 Desirable:
- Familiarity with Hawaiʻi Creole English (Pidgin)

Please see the links in our bio for detailed information, or scan QR codes.

Lahaina Obon Ceremony honors wildfire victims, celebrates resilience | University of Hawaiʻi System News The ceremony, which took place at Lahaina Cannery Mall, featured traditional dancing, food vendors and a sense of community healing.

Island Connections: COH, Creative Audio Visual ES, & Riding in Cars with Professors Having Coffee Recorded on April 14, 2023Host(s): • Ethan Caldwell, Assistant Professor, Department of Ethnic Studies - UH Mānoa• Roderick Labrador - Associate Professor an...

Please join us for an event in partnership with the UH Center for Oral History as we feature interviews from Limu Hui members being released on UH Mānoa's ScholarSpace. These interviews were recorded at the 2018 Limu Hui Gathering at Kalaemanō on Hawaiʻi Island.

Interviewees are Wally Ito, Alyson Nāpua Barrows, Benjamin Villiarimo, Lily Filomino, and Vivian "Vani" Ainoa. We will be showcasing portions of the interviews and hear from Limu Hui members present at the event.

Wednesday, September 20th
Kapiʻolani Community College
STEM Center Kokiʻo 202
5:00 - 7:00 PM

Light refreshments will be served
This event is sponsored by UH Mānoa Center for Oral History at UH Mānoa Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo & Mālama Maunalua Malama Maunalua

A statement from our Director and Associate Director regarding the situation on Maui.