An art exhibition beginning this evening at the Wailoa Center will depict the history of Koreans living on Hawaii Island.
“One Heart: Korean Art and History Across the Pacific” is a juried art show and a presentation of Korean history on Hawaii Island that includes translations from gravestones and stories of individuals who supported Korean independence.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo Art and English departments are hosting the exhibition, which will be the second time Korean art and history have been on display in Hilo, according to professor Seri Luangphinith.
After applying and receiving a grant to introduce Korean language instruction to UH-Hilo, Luangphinith worked on creating an art exhibition as a way to display the short history of Koreans on the Big Island. After interviewing families and learning more through their stories, that short history became much longer than she’d envisioned.
“For the first exhibition, we had to come up with a short essay about the history of Koreans in Hawaii. When I started digging, there was so much that emerged, enough to create a whole book that was published in 2017,” Luangphinith said. “There is a lot of history, archival photos, oral histories, and at the time, we knew there would be more stuff to come.
“There will be a second edition at some point, so we’re having a second exhibition.”
The original book, “The Paths We Cross: The Lives and Legacies of Koreans on the Big Island,” paints a picture of the impact made by Koreans through stories, newspaper articles, obituaries and artwork.
While the first book focused on the success stories experienced by some Korean families, the second book will delve into the more disturbing and tragic aspects of Hawaii’s history regarding Koreans, and ultimately all plantation workers.
“The success stories are important to tell, but I think it’s just as important to tell the stories that were lost, the ones that weren’t picture perfect,” Luangphinith said. “When we hear about the plantation era, we hear about the melting pot that was created, but I think we tend to forget that the people who immigrated to Hawaii were meant to be cheap labor and were not meant to succeed.”
To find more information on Koreans in Hawaii, Luangphinith looked to their graves as they carry more information on individual histories. She found them all over the island, including Honokaa, Kehena, Alae Cemetery and Holualoa.
The exhibition opening today will include several ink impressions from Korean graves found in Hawaii County, whilch will be translated and explained.
“When people say there aren’t more Koreans because they moved away, well some did, but a vast majority died and many graves have never been found. They are gone,” Luangphinith said. “We hope to utilize this part of the exhibition to address the problem with vandalism of gravesites and educate people on the importance of preserving them.”
While visiting a cemetery in Kalahiki, Luangphinith found that Korean graves were targeted and knocked over by vandals.
“I don’t know why someone would do this, but it’s especially painful thinking that there are already so many Koreans on Hawaii Island who will never be found,” Luangphinith said. “Areas around old plantation mills that would have graves surrounding them have been built upon, which emphasizes the importance of keeping the history we do have alive.”
One thing Luangphinith has treasured through her research is linking families together and finding connections for those who are looking for their ancestors. Two of the four walls in the Founatin Gallery at Wailoa are dedicated to the families she’s helped to reconnect.
The lower level also honors Hawaii Island figures who were active in the Korean Independence Movement as well as President Syngman Rhee, the first president of South Korea.
While the second book is nowhere near completed, Luangphinith is excited to have the community come together to celebrate Korean history and art in Hawaii County, because storytelling and creating connections is the best way to keep local history alive.
“If it weren’t for local historians and writers, so much history would be lost, which is why I care far more for community-based publications than academic journals,” Luangphinith said. “This exhibition is our way of letting the community know we’re here and we want to hear their stories and create resources for them to find out more about their heritage.”
“One Heart: Korean Art and History Across the Pacific” will open with an event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. this evening and the exhibition will run until Thursday, June 20.
The Wailoa Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com