University of Hawaiʻi faculty have integrated Indigenous knowledge and ethics with advanced archival practices. They were able to showcase how they have used those aspects along with others at the Society of American Archivists (SAA) Annual Conference in Chicago in August.
The SAA is North America’s oldest and largest professional association for archives and archivists. Manulani Aluli Meyer, associate specialist and Konohiki for Kūlana o Kapolei (A Hawaiian Place of Learning at UH West Oʻahu), was the keynote speaker, invited by Helen Wong Smith, archivist for University Records at the UH Mānoa Library and the first SAA president from Hawaiʻi. The conference emphasized collaboration and introspection, themes central to both Meyer’s keynote, “Collaboration and Introspection: (K)new Ethics in our Collective Work,” and Wong Smith’s presidential address.
Their messages resonated with many in the audience of more than 1,200 participants who gave both speakers a standing ovation.
During her keynote, Meyer explored the principles of hoʻoponopono (to correct), focusing on concepts like Kūkulkumuhana—pooling energy for a shared purpose—and the many layers of truth, from hoʻopono to ʻOia iʻo (truth that heals). Her insights into Mihi (forgiveness), Hihia (understanding energy), and the difference between Hoʻolohe (listening) and Hoʻolono (hearing) were particularly impactful.
Wong Smith’s preceding presidential address complemented Meyer’s themes, extolling the Hawaiian proverbs “Aʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi” (all knowledge is not taught in the same school) and “Pūpūkāhi i holomua” (unite to progress). She credited UH Mānoa Art Archivist Malia Van Heukelem for her contributions, particularly the images of the Meyer family in the Jean Charlot Collection shown during Meyer’s keynote introduction.
The UH delegation was well-represented at the conference. Dawn Sueoka from Hamilton Library participated in two panels on political narratives and community engagement in building digital archives. Leilani Dawson discussed UH’s ArchivesSpace upgrade, and Library Information Science student Ani Kawada presented a poster titled “Inheriting a Legacy: The Moʻokūʻauhau and Moʻolelo of Nā Hawaiʻi ʻImi Loa.” They were joined by Sidney Louie from Pālama Settlement.
“This is likely one of the strongest representations of UH at the SAA conference and by introducing Hawaiian knowledge principles especially through Manuʻs eloquent keynote, many who have cited it as the finest, reflects the influence we can have on relationships to broaden the historical record,” said Wong Smith.
