The University of Hawaii West Oahu is digitizing 2,000 films and videotapes from PBS Hawaii.

After the historic programs are digitized, they will be available to watch online, according to a news release. 

The project is part of a nationwide effort to digitize publicly funded radio and television shows. Known as the American Archive of Public Broadcasting, the nationwide project is a collaboration between the Library of Congress and WGBH in Boston, and participating organizations, including UH West Oahu’s ‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawaii.

‘Ulu‘ulu, Hawaii’s official state archive for moving images, first received the videotapes from PBS Hawaii in 2016. In order to digitize the videos, ‘Ulu‘ulu will ship the videotapes to the preservation lab George Blood LP in Pennsylvania. The digitization process is expected to take about a year.

The digitized programs will be available to watch through ‘Ulu‘ulu's online catalog and the AAPB website. ‘Ulu‘ulu and the Library of Congress will store the digital preservation masters.

“I’m so proud that the programs from PBS Hawaii archived at ‘Ulu‘ulu will soon be available to watch online through the American Archive of Public Broadcasting website,” said ‘Ulu‘ulu head archivist Janel Quirante. “The footage will be in good company with other public media icons like Julia Child and Mr. Rogers!”  

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.