HONOLULU (KHON2) -- KHON2.com had the opportunity to sit down with three dedicated individuals who are ensuring that black history is celebrated and preserved in Hawaiʻi.
On a warm morning in Honolulu, Deloris Guttman, Dr. Helene Satz and Kimberly Walker-Watkins gathered to discuss their connections to the Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum and the broader celebration of African American history in Hawaiʻi.
Our walaʻau (talk story) promised to be rich with historical insights and personal reflections.
Deloris Guttman, the museum director and historian, provided a brief history of the organization. Founded in 1997 as the African American Diversity Culture Center of Hawaiʻi, it was rebranded in 2018 to honor President Barack Obama's birthplace.
According to Guttman, their current efforts in celebrating the 250th birthday of Anthony Allen. He was an escaped slave who found freedom in Hawaiʻi in 1810 and contributed significantly to the community.
Dr. Helene Satz, who is a volunteer said her passion for the museum's mission.
"At my age," Dr. Satz began, "if there's anything I can do to reduce the amount of racism in our country or in the world, any little bit that I can do, I want to help."
Her commitment to fostering a more inclusive society was evident, and she introduced Kimberly Walker-Watkins, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, who had been instrumental in organizing the upcoming cultural event.
Walker-Watkins expressed her excitement about the event and her long-standing involvement with Alpha Kappa Alpha. She emphasized the collaborative spirit that brought together diverse communities in Honolulu to bring celebrations to the people.
The significance of Juneteenth, a historical milestone marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, is an important historical celebration. This is especially true when one considers the role Hawaiʻi played in the United States Civil War.
Dr. Satz noted that Juneteenth represented a crucial turning point, though its impact was not immediately felt by all enslaved people due to delayed communication and resistance from slave owners.
Guttman expanded on this. She explained how the Union army's arrival in Galveston, Texas, enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, and she highlighted the economic implications of emancipation.
It is important to remember that during this time in history, anyone with dark skin was in danger of, if not already, enslavement and were considered commodities to buy, sell, trade and control.
Despite Abraham Lincoln's proclamation, true freedom for slaves in the Southern states was a prolonged struggle, a theme that continues to resonate with the ongoing efforts for equality today.
Guttman passionately questioned the nature of freedom for people of color in the 21st century, reflecting on the historical and contemporary challenges.
We ventured into Hawaiʻi's history. Guttman spoke more about the remarkable story of Anthony Allen, who escaped from slavery in New York, worked his way to Boston and eventually found freedom in Hawaiʻi.
He became a notable figure who easily integrated into Hawaiʻi's growing global society and contributed to development. This historical connection underscored the broader theme of Juneteenth celebration: the intertwined histories of African Americans, Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi.
The importance of celebrating Juneteenth in Hawaiʻi is to understand that Juneteenth is not only about African American history. It is a celebration of human unity and resilience.
The upcoming event to celebrate Juneteenth will be taking place at Washington Middle School/ It is intended to honor this spirit and will feature the Royal Hawaiian Band, performances, activities for families and educational opportunities.
The celebration was designed to educate the community about both Juneteenth and Anthony Allen's legacy, and it is meant to foster a deeper understanding of Hawaiʻi's diverse cultural heritage.
The Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum's need for dedicated volunteers and community engagement is there. Guttman invited readers to visit their website or call the museum. She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in preserving and sharing these crucial historical narratives.
Dr. Satz also highlighted her ongoing project to create a mural or posters at the airport to honor President Obama in order to showcase his connection to Hawaiʻi and to inspire visitors with his legacy of hope and unity.
Juneteenth celebrations are taking place at Washington Middle School in Waikiki from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 15. Click here for more information.
The museum's mission: to celebrate and educate about the rich, diverse histories that shape our present and future. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring our collective past to build a more inclusive and understanding world.