Noelle Kahanu, faculty specialist in the Department of American Studies, attended a January 14 White House signing ceremony designating two new national monuments in California. In his speech, President Biden reflected upon his support of Native American and environmental issues, and made reference to the recent Presidential Message that posthumously honored “the service and sacrifice of the courageous members of Hui Panalāʻau.” The Hui Panalāʻau were 135 men, mostly of Native Hawaiian origin, sent by the U.S. government to occupy the remote Pacific islands of Howland, Jarvis, Baker, Canton and Enderbury from 1935-1942.
Noelleʻs grandfather was one of the colonists, and she told this little known story of the Hui Panalāʻau in a documentary titled Under the Jarvis Moon. Of critical importance is that the Biden administration requested that the National Archives and Records Administration verify the participant roster. In doing so, they also digitized records from the Office of Territories: Central Classified Records Relating to the Equatorial Islands, which are now available in the National Archives Catalog.
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2025 Living Treasure of Hawai’i
George Tanabe, Jr.
Dr. George Tanabe, Jr., Professor Emeritus and former chair of the Department of Religions and Ancient Civilizations, was recognized as a 2025 Living Treasure of Hawaiʻi honoree. He contributed to the department’s national and international reputation as the only place in the U.S. where religious studies focus almost exclusively on Asia and the Pacific. Insightful publications by Tanabe furthered this reputation and include:
Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan
Buddhist Missionaries in the Era of Globalization (“Grafting Identity: The Hawaiian Branches of the Bodhi Tree” chapter)
Tanabe also co-authored two books, The Lotus Sutra in Japanese Culture and Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawai‘i: An Illustrated Guide, with his wife, Willa Jane Tanabe.
The Living Treasures of Hawai‘i™ is a prestigious recognition program celebrating individuals whose exceptional achievements, profound social and cultural contributions, and professional dedication embody the cherished values of our rich and diverse island community.
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CKS Director Bae Uncovers Possible New Ancient Human Species
Christopher J. Bae, director of the Center for Korean Studies and professor in the Department of Anthropology, has been studying human ancestors across Asia for more than 30 years. His recent research, published in Nature Communications, helps clear up some of the confusion about the different types of ancient human-like species that co-existed in the region during the late Middle and early Late Pleistocene, a period roughly 300,000 to 50,000 years ago. Bae says he may have found a new human species called Homo juluensis, which includes mysterious groups like the Denisovans—ancient human relatives whose histories are still being uncovered. [UH News]
Afro-ballet showcases graduate students’ commitment to Black culture
The Department of Theatre & Dance brought a powerful exploration of Black heritage and identity to the stage with Beige: An Afro Ballet, an interdisciplinary collaboration by graduate students Jonathan Clarke Sypert and Marcus Moore. The performance, which featured an all-black cast of 14 dancers, debuted during Black History Month at the MFA/BFA Dance Concert.
The performance, which represents a milestone as one of the first known productions of its kind at UH Mānoa, marks the culmination of Sypert’s MFA in dance choreography and Moore’s MM in composition. Beige blends modern dance with Moore’s orchestral score, which draws inspiration from Black diasporic music.
[UH News]
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2025 John Young Scholarship Recipients
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Undergraduate Student: Nanea Ah You (Cinematic Arts) Art received $5,000
Graduate Students: Angie Cruz-Guzmán (English), Ashley Collins (Art), Paul Cosme (Music), Emmanuele Mante (Theatre & Dance), Robert Morris, III (Theatre), Anna Quijano (Theatre & Dance), Teagan Staskawicz (Theatre & Dance), Nguyễn Minh TIẾN (Theatre & Dance), Qi Zhang (Theatre & Dance), and Zheng Zou (Chinese Art History) each received $8,000
John Young was a dominant figure in Hawaii’s art circles for 60 years. His artwork was known for its dynamic verve and fluid energy, whether in paintings of his signature prancing horses, coastal landscapes, or sketches. Today, Young’s works grace Hawaii’s homes, businesses, schools, and museums. The John Young Scholarship Endowment Fund was established to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies related to the arts.
