HONOLULU — A traveling exhibit from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association, “Americans and the Holocaust,” is at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Hamilton Library, one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host the exhibit.

What You Need To Know

  • The 1,100-square-foot exhibition is open to viewing during the library’s regular hours and will be accompanied by special events through October 4

  • Visit the library’s website for a schedule of events, links to Zoom sessions, library hours and to schedule group tours of the exhibit

  • An ancillary exhibit, “What Did Hawaii Know?” will also be displayed in the library’s elevator gallery

The 1,100-square-foot exhibition is open to viewing during the library’s regular hours and will be accompanied by special events through October 4.

The exhibition asks, “What did Americans know?” and “What more could have been done?” as it takes a look at the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The government, military, refugee aid organizations, the media and the general public are also highlighted in the exhibit.

Challenging the common assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded, the exhibit tells the stories of Americans who acted in response to Nazism. It provides a view of American society illustrating how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism shaped the American response to Nazism and the Holocaust.

“I am very pleased that Hamilton Library was chosen to host this exhibit,” said UH Manoa Librarian Clem Guthro in a news release. “The Holocaust was one of the defining events of the 20th century and it is important that everyone understands its history and its relevance for today. Understanding this history is one step in combating Antisemitism."

UH West Oahu was among the 50 U.S. libraries, hosting the exhibition in 2022.

An opening reception for the exhibition is being held today Sept. 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the exhibit area. Robert Littman, UH Manoa professor of classics, will offer remarks and a short presentation at 6:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP to Clem Guthro at guthroc@hawaii.edu.

An ancillary exhibit, “What Did Hawaii Know?” will also be displayed in the library’s elevator gallery.

Several public lectures, film screenings and a book talk are upcoming with the lectures and talk available via Zoom. Visit the library’s website for a schedule of events, links to Zoom sessions, library hours and to schedule group tours of the exhibit.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.