One of my first retirement experiences after a career of 39 years at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa was taking a graduate course (through the UHM Nā Kupuna Program) entitled “Hawaiian Historical Research.”
I was impressed by what the other students and I learned in that one semester with history professor Noelani Arista. Students who learn to make good use of the largely unmined Hawaiian historical gold that is out there will be able to conduct truly significant historical research. While taking that class, I also saw a need to support the department’s efforts to teach and conduct disciplined Hawaiian historical research.
Inspired by my experience in Dr. Arista’s class, I offered to lead the effort to fund an endowment, which would provide support to the History Department at the UH Mānoa College of Arts and Humanities for original historical research using primary sources with an emphasis on Hawaiian-language sources, such as newspapers, manuscripts, and handwritten as well as published writings, related to Hawaiians.
I have made an initial donation to start the fundraising and establish the account. The goal is to raise $40,000. Such an amount will provide in perpetuity a modest but important source of funds for expenses such as student research assistants, research references and professional-level development for faculty, staff and students.
I hope you will join me in this endeavor. Any donation amount will be very much appreciated.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Morris Kimo Lai
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