University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Librarian Irene Herold, Tokiko Bazzell of the Asian Collection Department and Lonny Carlile of the Asian Studies Program had a very successful trip to Okinawa between December 13-20, 2015. Herold is the first UH Mānoa librarian to visit Okinawa.
The joint symposium, “The world of the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection” with the University of the Ryukyus attracted many participants on December 16. Bazzell gave a presentation, “Okinawa Resources without Borders,” regarding the Sakamaki/Hawley Collection collaborative digitization project. Herold presented a koa wood plaque to President Hajime Oshiro to show the library’s gratitude and to commemorate the close relationship that has developed between our two institutions. On December 18, Herold also visited the Okinawa Prefecture Government and briefed Vice Governor Mitsuo Ageda on the collaborative project.
Their trip was packed with productive meetings with the university’s partners in Okinawa, which include the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, Okinawa Prefectural Archives and the International Institute for Okinawan Studies at the University of the Ryukyus. Herold and Bazzell were also shown historic Battle of Okinawa sites and Futenma Air Base, the current US military base.
The trip afforded them the opportunity to reunite with several UH Mānoa alumni and Hawaiʻi Uchinanchus (Okinawan immigrants) who are living in Okinawa.
“Ms. Bazzell, Dr. Carlile and I were honored to be the invited guests at the University of Ryukyus symposium,” said Herold. “There was not only evidence of scholarly use of our joint project, but much enthusiasm for future ventures. The warmth of our reception in Okinawa reinforced our sister institution relationship.”
