Report

The 2024 short-term Intensive Study Program took place in Hawaiʻi, where six students from the University of the Ryukyus participated across various faculties under, led by faculty and staff members. The program, based on Oʻahu Island this year, offered students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and experience in sustainability issues related to island regions through cutting-edge lectures and fieldwork.

In its second year, the Hawaiʻi program was hosted by the partner institution, Kapiʻolani Community College, where students explored topics such as Hawaiʻi’s history, culture, and environmental challenges. During the program, the students also participated in the Okinawan Festival, gaining hands-on experience by interning at the university’s public relations booth, a Bingata dyeing booth, and a kimono dressing booth. Additionally, visits to the Arizona Memorial and the Plantation Village provided a comparative perspective on World War II and Hawaiʻi’s multicultural society.

The program also included diverse learning opportunities, such as observing Hawaiʻian language classes at public elementary schools, visiting NGOs addressing youth poverty, attending a lecture on oral history at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and engaging in discussions on poverty at Hawaiʻi Pacific University. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported this summer’s program.

Overview

Dates: August 26 – September 4, 2024 (10 days)
Venue: Kapiʻolani Community College and various locations on Oʻahu Island, Hawaiʻi
Program Details:
　・Lecture on “Oral History” at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
　・”Sustainability Program” at Kapiʻolani Community College (Discussions on climate change, resilience, environmental and social justice, and cultural and hospitality topics through the Aloha Workshop, as well as a campus tour, landscaping activities, and sustainability discussions on Oʻahu Island)
　・Learning about immigration at Plantation Village
　・Exploring World War II and Hawaiʻi’s history at the Arizona Memorial
　・Observing Hawaiian language classes
　・Fieldwork on Hawaiʻi’s history, including visits to ʻIolani Palace and the Queen Liliʻuokalani Statue, along with discussions on cultural preservation in Okinawa and Hawaiʻi
　・Visiting Youth Outreach (YO!), an NGO addressing youth poverty
　・Lecture on houselessness issues
　・Participation and internships at the Okinawan Festival

Voices from Participants

Participants shared reflections such as, “We discovered many commonalities between Hawaiʻi and Okinawa, recognizing shared challenges as island regions.” Additionally, collaborative activities with Hawaiian and Taiwanese students during the pre-training program enhanced students’ ability to view Okinawa’s challenges from a global perspective. Observing Hawaiʻian language classes and engaging in discussions with a lecturer of Okinawan descent provided a unique opportunity for students to deeply reflect on Hawaiʻi’s diverse cultural background and their own identities.

Snapshots