‘Activations of Ea’ interactive exhibit coming to a University of Hawaiʻi library near you

After already touring three University of Hawaiʻi community colleges last fall, “Activations of Ea” — featuring interactive displays exploring sovereignty and life force — is coming to a University of Hawaiʻi library near you.

“Activations of Ea” is expanding to a statewide tour this spring, including exhibition dates at Kauaʻi Community College.

It centers on Hawaiian history while inviting communities to actively engage with ea — life, air, breath, sovereignty, rural, independence.

The activation created by Ruth Keʻelikōlani — honoring Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani and her commitment to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), tradition and her people, is on display now in Kauaʻi Community College Library.

Keʻelikōlani’s piece will be on display through Feb. 6 on the Garden Isle.

“Activations of Ea” — which includes displays developed by Hawaiian language, culture and ʻāina-based education organizations network Kanaeokana — will rotate through University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu, Kauaʻi Community College and University of Hawaiʻi-Maui College through early April.

This semester marks the first time the activations will rotate simultaneously throughout multiple islands, amplifying messages of ea and aloha ʻāina — or love of the land — while uplifting Hawaiian history, culture and language.

The initiative began during a Kūkalahale E Hoʻi Nā Wai culture-based professional development training, where Windward Community College librarians explored ways to indigenize library spaces.

It quickly spread throughout the University of Hawaiʻi system, evolving into a coordinated, multi-campus effort.

“I was so inspired by the campus libraries tour last semester that I wanted to make sure that every [University of Hawaiʻi] library had an opportunity to showcase the beautiful activations and educate our communities that the ea of this ʻāina still exists through our history, culture and language,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library Hawaiian Initiatives Librarian Kawena Komeiji in an announcement about the exhibit’s tour.

The exhibit — which toured Honolulu Community College, Kapiʻolani Community College and Windward College last fall — is made possible through partnerships with Kamehameha Schools Kealaiwikuamoʻo and Kanaeokana.

Exhibit dates and locations

Ka Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea and Ka Lā Kūʻokoʻa — A journey centered on Kamehameha III and his vision of an independent lāhui (group):

• Through Feb. 6: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library, University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu Campbell Library.
• Feb. 9-March 6: Kauaʻi Community College Library, University of Hawaiʻi-Maui College, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Moʻokini Library.

Ka Malu ʻUlu o Lele — Explores Lahaina’s sacred history and cultural resilience:

• Feb. 9-March 6: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library, University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu Campbell Library.
• March 9-April 3: Kauaʻi Community College Library, University of Hawaiʻi-Maui College.

Ruth Keʻelikōlani — Honors Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani and her commitment to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), tradition and her people:

• Through Feb. 6: Kauaʻi Community College Library, University of Hawaiʻi-Maui College.
• Feb. 6-March 6: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Moʻokini Library.
• March 9-April 3: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library, University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu Campbell Library.