Mahalo to the Contributors of our "Echoes of Liberty" Exhibit!

The Library recently hosted an exhibit, Echoes of Liberty, that invited UH West Oʻahu students to reflect, through creative expression, on the meaning of liberty today. Through poetry and visual art, participants explored liberty as something deeply personal, complex, and continually evolving. The exhibition brought together a wide range of perspectives that are informed by lived experiences and hopes for the future. The strength of the exhibit came from the collective voices represented throughout the space, and we are deeply grateful to each student who chose to share their creativity, vulnerability, and perspective with the wider campus community.

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to the recipients of the awards:

• Voices of Hawaiʻi award (juried): submission 5, Puakenikeni, by Mi.O
• Civic Reflection award (juried): submission 4, What Liberty Feels Like Here, by Loriebel Mabanta Sal-long
• Creative Expression award (juried): submission 11, Untitled, by Jaiden
• People’s Choice award: submission 8, Where We Stand, Where We Walk, by Maya Sunshine Bernardo

This endeavor was inspired by the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the themes explored in the new Ken Burns documentary on the American Revolution. Produced by WETA, this powerful six-part, 12-hour series—created by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt—explores the complex, far-reaching origins of the United States. Learn more about the documentary series and find streaming details here: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution/about-the-film.

Plans are currently underway to develop a digital archive featuring the submitted works from the exhibition.

Mahalo to all who contributed, visited, reflected, and participated!