Hula preservation society will develop five virtual exhibitions that will enable increased insight and understanding of the 20TH century in hawaiʻi

The Hula Preservation Society received a $204,181 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program (NANH-Museums) to develop five virtual exhibitions providing insight into 20th century Hawaii. Using resources from its digital archives, the Society will gather content and develop online infrastructure for the exhibitions, implement associated public programming, and launch a social media campaign to increase access to over 700 multi-format primary sources. This will help address misconceptions about Hawaiian history and culture by allowing native and non-native Hawaiians to experience the period through archival materials. The award period is from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.

Project staff and paid interns will gather content and develop the digital infrastructure for the five virtual exhibits using the extensive resources available in the society's digital archives, develop and implement associated public programming, and launch a related social media campaign. This project will help address misconceptions about hawaiʻi history and culture by providing increased access to and interpretation of over 700 multi-format primary source materials and will benefit native and non-native hawaiians alike by providing an opportunity to experience hawaiʻi through the eyes, heads, and hearts of native hawaiians.