Island Time Updates

I’d like to this time to quickly share with you a few updates. There was a lot going on over the past few months.

First, I’d like to congratulate my colleagues at the National Archives of Solomon Islands and the Tuvalu National Library and Archives for their archival collections being chosen as new inscriptions to the Memory of the World Committee of Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) register. Both of these collection were approved at the MOWCAP 8th General Meeting held in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, from 29 May – 31 May.

The Memory of the World Program is an international program aimed at safeguarding, preserving and facilitating access to and the use of documentary heritage. UNESCO launched the Program in 1992. The Program includes the inscription of significant documentary heritage on national, regional and international registers.

MOWCAP embraces the Asia Pacific region of 43 countries – one of five UNESCO regions across the globe. It maintains an Asia/Pacific Regional Register of the MOW documentary heritage, a listing of documentary heritage of influence in the Asia/Pacific region. MOWCAP is the authority that approves inscriptions on the Asia/Pacific MOW Register. It assesses nominations from members through its Asia/Pacific Register Subcommittee against established selection criteria.

Preserving the BSIP Collection at the National Archives Solomon Islands

The collection from the National Archives of Solomon Islands that gained inscription into the register was the World War Two Records – British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP), Solomon Islands. This was a collection that Island Culture Archival Support had the honor to help preserve in 2012-2013.

The distinguished collection from the Tuvalu National Library and Archives that joined the BSIP Collection was Agreements with Native Governments (1893-1916).

Again, a hearty congratulations to both archives!

To see the list of all ten new inscriptions to the MOWCAP register simply click here.

Second, the book signing event for fact went very well at Basically Books in Hilo, Hawaii, on May 26. A big mahalo to all those who participated and made the rainy afternoon such a wonderful occasion. I’d like to give a special thanks to Christine Reed, owner of Basically Books, for her enthusiasm towards the culture of Hawaii and the greater Pacific Islands region. If you get a chance to holiday in Hilo, please visit this very unique bookstore. Also, another big mahalo to Dockside Sailing Press for setting up the opportunity for me to talk about my book.

“Hina and Her Lover Eel,” illustration courtesy Tara Bonvillain, copyright 2017.

Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to our new art exhibit located on the Island Culture Archival Support Website. These are paintings from artist Tara Bonvillain who has painted her interpretation of Pacific Islands legends. You may have noticed these paintings on our blog from time to time over the past year or so. Now, we have them all in one place. Thank you Tara for your extraordinary artwork!

To view all of her paintings please click here.