In 1843, the Hawaiian Kingdom was the first non-European country recognised as an independent state via the Anglo-Franco Proclamation. By 1893, that same country had over 21 treaties and 90 embassies operating worldwide; yet, this pre-United States rich history is often not widely known or presented in American education. Is this a coincidence or a matter of purpose? When information boundaries and patriotic-serving narratives are applied to historical truths, entire generations of progress can be swiftly obliterated in the blink of an eye. Nevertheless, through rediscovered histories unearthed in newspapers and archives, we are finding that it was 1800’s Hawai'i that was a true leader of democracy in the world. Listeners will be introduced to newly understood political concepts and innovations from historical Hawai'i that are not widely accessible or taught.

Speaker Biography

Kālewa Correa
Smithsonian Institution, United States

Kālewa Correa is the Curator of Hawaii and the Pacific for the Smithsonian Institution's Asian Pacific American Center. He graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Kamakakūʻokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, where he focused on Hawaiian traditional society and politics. He also holds advanced degrees in Information Science and Education Technology. As Curator of Hawaii and the Pacific, Correa's primary program is the Digital Storytelling Initiative called "Our Stories." This initiative aims to elevate the voices of Pacific Islanders on a national and international stage through mixed media formats such as film, podcasting, composition, and mixed reality.

About the Presenter(s)
Kālewa Correa is the Curator of Hawaii and the Pacific for the Smithsonian Institution's Asian Pacific American Center.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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