Echoes of Liberty: An Exhibit and Storytelling Initiative

In recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the themes explored in the new Ken Burns documentary about the American Revolution, the Library invites members of the UH West Oʻahu campus community to share their reflections on liberty, freedom, and self-determination. Submissions will be displayed publicly as part of an exhibit.

March 31 note: The deadline for submissions has been updated to 11:59pm on Friday, April 10. Mahalo to those who have already submitted their reflections and creative works!

Call for Submissions

What Does Liberty Mean Today? 

The American Revolution introduced powerful ideas about liberty and democracy that continue to shape, in positive and negative ways, life as we know it today. The meaning of these ideals has never been simple or universal, as communities separated by time and place have experienced freedom differently and have continued to debate what true liberty is and requires.

In Hawaiʻi, conversations about liberty carry additional depth. The history of the Hawaiian Kingdom, its overthrow, and ongoing discussions of sovereignty and cultural identity remind us that the meaning of freedom is complex and evolving.

Through art, writing, and storytelling, this exhibit invites members of our campus community to reflect on these themes and share their unique perspectives. 

Central Prompt

Participants are invited to respond to the question: What does liberty mean today?

Your submission might explore:

• How you personally understand/define freedom or independence
• How liberty appears in your community or daily life
• Moments when your sense of freedom feels protected or challenged
• How history shapes our understanding of liberty today
• What democracy or self-determination means for the future

Keep in mind that there is no “correct” interpretation or submission. We encourage thoughtful, clever, and original creations that showcase a wide range of perspectives.

Submission Formats

Participants may submit their response in a variety of creative formats, including:

• Short video (1-3 minutes)
• Poetry or short written reflection (up to 500 words)
• Visual art (painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media)
• Photography or Digital art
• Sculpture or 3D artwork

Submissions must be original work created by the participant. Submissions will be reviewed by the project organizers. Selected works will be featured in the library exhibit and may be included in a digital archive, which will be indefinitely available for public viewing. If submitting physical artwork, the original piece will be displayed in the exhibit and will also later be photographed or scanned for the digital archive.

Creator Statement

Each submission must include a brief creator statement (3-6 sentences) explaining:

• What inspired your creation/submission
• How your piece responds to the central prompt

These statements will be included alongside your piece and will help viewers understand the story behind each submission.

Participants will also be asked how they would like their work to be credited in the exhibit and digital archive (full name, initials, pseudonym, or anonymously).

Submitting Your Entry

Email your submission and creator statement to uhwolib@hawaii.edu by 11:59 pm on April 10, 2026 (deadline extended from original March 31 date). If you produced a physical submission (e.g., a painting or a 3D artwork), you must turn it in at the Library by the same deadline. Make note of library hours.

Contest & Eligibility

All members of the campus community are welcome to submit work.

Contest prizes, however, are exclusively for currently enrolled students at UH West Oʻahu. Awards will be given in the following categories:

• $200 – Voices of Hawaiʻi Award (juried) 
• $150 – Civic Reflection Award (juried)
• $150 – Creative Expression Award (juried)
• $100 – People’s Choice Award

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Judges will evaluate entries based on engagement with the theme, creativity, clarity of expression, and overall effort within the chosen medium. Finalists will then be considered for individual award categories.

Note: judges will not be comparing technical complexity across artistic mediums, but focusing on how submissions capture and convey the message of the creator. 

Full Details

Go to go.hawaii.edu/Dtf to review all details associated with this contest/initiative.