Lola Quan Bautista
Associate Professor
PhD University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (2001)
Moore Hall 208
lolab@hawaii.edu
(808) 956-2652
Dr. Lola Bautista was born and raised on the island of Guåhan (Guam). Her inspiration, drive and dedication come from her CHamoru roots; her parents, Felis and Josefina Unpingco Quan; her large, extended family living in Guåhan and in the diaspora, and her Micronesian friends and families. For over twenty-five years, her research has focused on the region of Micronesia, capturing the intimate stories and connections of those living on the home islands and atolls and those living away.
More recently, in the past ten years, Lola has directed and produced films that encourage audiences to consider the realities and challenges faced by Micronesian communities living in urban diasporic spaces. In addition to filmmaking, Lola works with teachers from schools and universities to develop culturally responsive lesson plans that accompany the films and videos. Take a peek at her website which exhibits a collection of her works and resources by local educators (http://breadfruiteducational.com).
Research interests
Micronesian diaspora; Gendered space, households, and house forms; Housing and community development; Pacific Islanders in higher education; Social justice, survival stories, and advocacy through film; CHamoru culture perpetuated through songs and prayers; Culturally responsive teaching; Service learning; Talanoa approaches to research
Courses Taught
PACS 108 Pacific Worlds; PACS 202 Pacific Islands Movement and Migration; PACS 401 Pacific Islander Collaborative Research; PACS 603 Researching Oceania
Director & Producer of recent films & music project
Promesa (2024)
Through acts of faith, hope, and promise, four prayer leaders (techa) carry out the tradition of the nobena practice. https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2023/11/catching-up-with-community-collections-grant-recipients-celebrating-chamoru-nobenas-with-lola-quan-bautista/
Nobena Ladies (2022)
An album with songs from a collection of sacred Chamorro hymns, performed a capella by artist, Carmen Camacho Rojas. https://breadfruiteducational.com/media/nobena-ladies
COVID Blessings: More Time with Kids (2023); COVID Blessings: Steaming Leaves (2023)
For small island nations in Micronesia, COVID-19 created many hardships but also many blessings. https://breadfruiteducational.com/media/covid-blessings
Crossing Spaces: Guam to California (2021); The fourth film in a Crossing Spaces docuseries that provides a rare look into the lives of Micronesian women living in the diaspora. https://breadfruiteducational.com/media/crossing-spaces
