Teacher Appreciation Week 2013

Aloha kakahiaka! Rise and shine! It's Teacher Appreciation Week!

Though we are rather partial towards history teachers we'd like to send our aloha and appreciation to teachers of all academic disciplines.

If you are a history student please take a few moments of your busy week to express your aloha to your teachers. Every smile your efforts generate makes it all worthwhile.

To our history educators across the Aloha State and beyond we salute you! Mahalo nui loa for all that you do -and more!

Historically yours,

Jeffrey Bingham Mead,
Hawaii liaison, National Council for History Education
President, History Education Hawaii, Inc.

Happy Lei Day from History Education Hawaii, Inc.

Happy Lei Day! While most of the rest of the world pauses to mark annual May Day celebrations the people of Hawaii celebrate Lei Day. 

Ho‘okuleana is an historical blog maintained by Hawaii resident, historian and Rev. Hiram Bingham descendant Peter T. Young. His blog is listed with our Hawaii History Blogs Project. 

This morning he posted this piece with period photos about the history of Lei Day. Click the link and enjoy your journey into Hawaii's rich and colorful history. 

Ansel Adams: University of Hawaii History Class, 1958

Today's Honolulu Star Advertiser features some historical photos of Hawaii by Ansel Adams. All are dated from 1958, or 55 years ago.

The one featured here is a a history class at the University of Hawaii. Go to the Star Advertiser web site via the hyperlink and look for the 'Photo Album' section. Enjoy!

Go to this link for the PBS American Experience site on the life and legacy of Ansel Adams. The National Park Service also has fine examples of his work. Go to this link. 

Can you help? Hawaiian Medal?

We recently received this emailed letter:

I just noticed your recent thread on LinkedIn (Historians, Librarians, and Archivists), which reminded me of a late nineteenth-century, cabinet photo in my collection of a man wearing a medal, the photographer was A.S. Hood, a Hawaiian photographer. The medal worn is the Royal Order of Kapiolani, which was awarded sparingly (the last in 1892). (Click here)

Given the scarcity of the medal, my hope is that the sitter was a well-known personage within the circle of King Kalākaua. I asked the Bishop museum some years ago if they had an idea of whom the sitter was, but it was beyond their ken. I had hoped it would be an easy task given the various Hawai'i orders and decorations were not bestowed lightly (within the kingdom, at least). I will attach the image and allow your members to muse on the identity of the sitter. With many thanks for your attention,

Sincerely,

William P. Jones, J.D., M.A.

Can you help with the author's request? See the picture above and email us at historyeducationhawaii@gmail.com.

TCC Online Conference 18th Annual "Technology, Colleges and Community" Online Conference

We just received news of the 2013 18th Annual Technology, College and Community Online Conference. It is scheduled for April 16-18, 2013.

The Technology, Colleges and Community Worldwide Online Conference (TCC Online Conference) is a virtual, professional development event held annually online. This event enables faculty, staff, students and administrators in higher education worldwide to share their expertise and engage in discussions about innovations and practices related to the use of technology for teaching and learning.

TCC runs on a real-time schedule, with a starting date and a closing date. It also includes activities such as live presentations and discussion sessions that begin and end at set times throughout the day. The conference theme revolves around current trends and issues related to technology for teaching and learning. For further information, contact the conference coordinators:

• Bert Kimura <bert@hawaii.edu>
• Curtis Ho <curtis@hawaii.edu>
• Sharon Fowler <fowlers@hawaii.edu>

To register please go to this link. PLEASE NOTE: You must register by April 2, 2013 to qualify for the $99 early bird reduced rate. This rate increases to $129. 

National History Day (NHD) seeks a Director of Programs

We've received news that National History Day has posted an available position for Director of Programs.

This position creates, directs and facilitates "all aspects of programming for teachers and students. This position reports to the executive director and is available as of September 1, 2013."

Please go to this link for a job description and how to apply. 

History Now Spring 2013 Issue: America's First Ladies

The Constitution does not spell out the duties or define the powers of a president's spouse, yet America's "first ladies" have, from the beginning of our nation, played key roles as public figures. They have set precedents, established social protocols, embraced reforms, advocated policies, and served as role models for many American girls and young women... 

--Carol Berkin, Editor  

This morning the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History announced the release of the Spring 2013 edition of History Now:

"Issue 35 of our quarterly online journal features five leading scholars who consider how the role of the First Lady has developed: Betty Boyd Caroli begins the issue with a look at the First Ladies' Contributions to Political Issues and the National Welfare; Patricia Brady looks at how it all began with Martha Washington Creates the Role of First Lady; Catherine Allgor explains the way in which Dolley Madison: First Lady and Queen shaped the role of First Lady; Maurine Beasley describes the very politically active Eleanor Roosevelt as First Lady; and Gil Troy recounts the many unique actions of Betty Ford: A New Kind of First Lady. 

"Also included: lesson plans on this subject that align with Common Core Standards; an interactive map of the First Ladies and their birth places, featuring portraits courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division and the National First Ladies' Library."