A digital archive highlighting the distinguished career of U.S. Sen. Spark M. Matsunaga, a pivotal figure in 撸sir视频ʻi‘s political landscape, was released by the in February. A collaboration between the and the , the collection includes 10.5 hours of footage highlighting Matsunaga’s significant contributions to civil rights, Japanese American reparations, space exploration, renewable energy and peace efforts.
Matsunaga was a member of the famed 100th Infantry Battalion and represented 撸sir视频ʻi in the U.S. Congress from 1963 until his death in 1990.
The collection offers , with complete recordings available upon request. Notable clips include Matsunaga’s 1959 campaign ad for lieutenant governor and recordings discussing elections and industrial development in 撸sir视频ʻi. Also featured is the 1988 Senate debate on redress for Japanese Americans interned during World War II.
Post-statehood congressional archives
The footage is the inaugural release by the 撸sir视频ʻi Congressional Media collection, an online archive featuring digitized moving images from 撸sir视频ʻi‘s post-statehood congressional members. , this collaboration between at 撸sir视频 West Oʻahu and the at the 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 Library ensures the preservation and sharing of 撸sir视频ʻi‘s political history.
“The images and voices from this collection that have been newly revealed through digitization provide an invaluable glimpse into our state’s rich political past,” said Janel Quirante, 撸sir视频 West HOʻahu ʻUluʻulu head archivist “I’m so grateful for the partnership with 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 Library and thrilled that researchers and 撸sir视频 can now view this amazing historical footage online.”
“Working with ʻUluʻulu leverages the strengths and expertise of both of our organizations to share these important moments in history with the public” said Dawn Sueoka, 撸sir视频 Manoa Congressional Papers archivist.
Upcoming digitization plans
Later this year, ʻUluʻulu aims to digitize an additional 250 reels from various 撸sir视频ʻi congressional members, including Sen. Hiram Fong, Sen. Daniel Akaka, Rep. Tom Gill, Rep. Pat Saiki, Rep. Neil Abercrombie and Rep. Ed Case. ʻUluʻuluu also preserves the moving image archives of .