Attendees to the 2026 Conference: Jo Anne Hayden, Larry Hayden Jeremy Smith, Bob Isip, Emily Hagan, Rob Lee, Drew Frisbie, Tom Choi, Julia Frisbie, Eugene Han, Won-Seok Yuh, Kelly Murdock-Billy, Sonya Lee, Charley Billy, Hyunghee Kim, Barbara Fike, Barbara Meguro.
Report submitted by Larry Hayden, Chair, Alaska Commission on Archives and History
2026 Western Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History Biennial Meeting held in Honolulu, Hawaii September 8-10, 2026
About twenty participants gathered in-person and online for the conference, which started at Wesley UMC for the business meeting.
Over the 3-day meeting we enjoyed many varieties of meals including: a bento Japanese box, Korean, Hawaiian, Tongan, and Filipino.
On the first day, the group heard from Becky Choi, Rev. Amy Wake, and Robert “Lopaka” Nawahine Mansfield Jr. about the history of Hawaiian occupation and current efforts for Hawaiian Sovereignty.
One morning was spent exploring the Plantation Village in Waipahu. It was a recreated visitor site to show how life was back in the days of sugar cane harvest. We then went to the Susannah Wesley Center for a hand-on mission service project of bundling hundreds of diapers and adult briefs for their clientele. We were exposed to what the Center history was and its current priorities. Originally the SWC was the site of an orphanage for children from plantation workers. Now the center has afterschool programs and works with families in need.
A bonus side trip took us to the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout and Iolani Palace, both very important parts of Island history. Pali Lookout was the location where King Kamehameha I fought the famous battle to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Then we heard about the Korean impact at the Christ United Methodist Church. District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Tom Choi regaled us with more history of the place. It was at Christ United Methodist Church that the General Commission on Archives and History recognized the church as a Heritage Landmark.
The third day we were honored to be visitors to Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum State Monument. A hands-on workshop followed lunch with a book preservation workshop on how to assemble a “Self-Closing Wrapper”, and what materials not to use and how to deter mine if the book is worth preserving or restoring. This was done by Joyce and Tomomi, owners of Kuro’s Workshop, LLC. We ended the conference with a worship service and reflections on the three days.