Hawaiʻi State Archives donates 2 significant collections to America250

Hawaiʻi State Archives, a division of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services, made two contributions to America250, this year’s nationwide initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The first is a copy of the Turner Letters, a rare collection of World War II correspondence written to Lt. Col. Farrant L. Turner.

Turner was the first commanding officer of U.S. Army 100th Infantry Battalion — the historic unit he formed and led, originally composed of almost entirely Hawaiʻi-born second-generation Japanese American men. The letters are from officers and enlisted men of the battalion.

There are 111 Turner Letters written between 1944 and 1945. The digitized letters are available to read at the state digital archives website.

The second contribution is the latest Hawaiʻi State Archives acquisition — a collection of 28 civil rights photographs memorializing Hawaiʻi’s role in the famous 1965 Selma to Montgomery March led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

They are now on display in the Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor’s Ceremonial Room on the fifth floor at the state Capitol in Honolulu. The exhibit will remain open during regular business hours through July 7 to the public.

More than half of the photographs — donated by Jeannine Herron, widow of Matt Herron, the photographer who captured the images during the historic march — were never before seen until the exhibit was unveiled June 30.

This collection highlights the journey of a five-member Hawaiʻi delegation and one Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter who traveled to Selma, Ala., to join the thousands of Americans advocating for voting rights and racial equality.

Hawaiʻi participants were:

• Nona (Springel) Ferdon.
• Glenn Izutsu.
• Robert Browne.
• Charles Campbell.
• Linus Pauling Jr.
• Tomi (Kaizawa) Knaefler, reporter on assignment, who is the only surviving Hawaiʻi participant.

“Both of these [contributions] are a powerful reminder that history is not only recorded in official documents and military records, but also in the personal stories of ordinary citizens,” said Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green in a release announcing the state’s America250 contributions.

The donation supports the nationwide initiative’s mission to inspire remembrance, service and civic engagement by highlighting stories that connect people of the United States throughout generations.

Themes of duty, resilience and community, which continue to resonate today, are illustrated by the Turner Letters while the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Selma to Montgomery March photos recall King’s fight for freedom, dignity and equal opportunities for all people.

“By sharing these collections with America250, we are helping ensure these voices become part of the broader national narrative as the country reflects on 250 years of American history,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services Director, State Comptroller and Acting HHawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Keith Regan in the release.

Selected letters or photographs from the collections could be featured in America250 educational programs, exhibitions and digital initiatives, providing students, researchers and the public access to authentic historical perspectives.

“The personal experiences that are documented help bring history to life,” said State Archivist Adam Jansen in the release. “We are honored to share these collections with audiences across the nation during the America250 commemoration.”

Exhibition of these images is an official Hawaiʻi America250 event, and Hawaiʻi State Archives is now listed as a Hawaiʻi America250 Commemoration Partner.