African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii - The Passing Of Dr. John Edwards - Kaimuki

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African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii - The Passing Of Dr. John Edwards
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PRESS RELEASE: African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii For Immediate Release -- Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr. John Edwards, a retired urologist and African American community leader, died Sunday in Hilton Head, South Carolina from cancer. He practiced medicine in Hawaii for over 40 years, including at Queen's Medical Center. He served in Vietnam prior to commencing his Hawaii medical practice.

While at Queen's Medical Center, he served as chairman of the Ethics Committee dealing with acute care of level two in the Trauma Center. Chaplain Al Miles, who currently chairs this committee, stated that through Dr. Edwards' guidance and consideration, it prepared him well and that he will be sorely missed. Chaplain Miles further stated that Edwards enlighten

him about island culture as an African American on how to work with and engage local people upon his arrival in the islands in 1993.

Dr. Edwards is known for his community services, including his serving on the Honolulu Liquor Commission.

The African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii (AADCCH) will memorialize Dr. Edwards community services by establishing a DR. JOHN EDWARDS YOUTH ENRICHMENT FUND to educate young people in school about the cultural heritage of people of African ancestry in Hawaii for the past two centuries. AADCCH is a nonprofit 501(3)(C ) agency collecting and preserving the Africana history in Hawaii and WWII Pacific Theater.

Memorial Gifts can be made online at aadcch.org or send to AADCCH, Hawaii National Bank Building, 1311 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 203, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. Gifts are tax deductible.

Contact Person: D. Molentia Guttman Telephone: 808-597-1341

About African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii

Purpose

The African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawai'i (AADCCH) museum repository that collects and archives historical documentation to preserve 200 years of Black history in Hawai'i and share it with the community to educate and enhance cultural appreciation.

The History of African Americans in Hawaii Part 1

The History of African Americans in Hawaii Part 2

TV Inteview

Vision Statement

Venue to preserve African American history in Hawai'i, share its cultural values with the community through exhibitions to increase intercultural collaboration and providing events and programs to enhance cultural appreciation.

Mission Statement

Amalgamation of Ethnic Cultural Diversity and Community Collaboration to Share the Black Cultural Experience with the People of Hawai'i.

"If you feel destiny calling," I said then, "and see as I see, a future of endless possibility stretching before us; if you sense, as I sense, that the time is now to shake off our slumber, and slough off our fear, and make good on the debt we owe past and future generations, then, I'm ready to take up the cause, and march with you and work with you"
Barack Obama '08

HISTORY

The African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawai'i (AADCCH) was founded in 1997 as a museum repository to archive 200 years of African descent history in Hawaii. The purpose is to share the collections by displaying and exhibiting artifacts, photographs, oral history to tell the story of African Americans past and present history in all its permutations: family life, civic contributions, inventions, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and arts that will educate the people in Hawaii about the cultural heritage of black people in this country.

During the late 1700s and early 1800s, Hawaii was sparsely populated. Many people of African ancestry came to Hawaii aboard merchant and whaling ships. The earliest settlers arrived in the Hawaiian Islands around 1769. Maritime labor during the 17th and 18th centuries was predominantly Black. Conditions on ships were harsh and the pay low, it was better than being a slave. These men came from Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa, the Caribbean and the mainland United States. Throughout the age of sail, black hands maneuvered white sails traversing the ocean waterways. The Atlantic Ocean ships brought Blacks to the slave blocks, the Pacific Ocean brought them to freedom. Many Black men used the oceans as their underground railroads. In Hawai'i, Blacks were free to go ashore without harassment, dozens of them jump ship and made Hawai'i their home. They were welcome by the Hawaiian people.

SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

AADCCH's literacy program is desiged to provide direct services to children who are not reading at grade level. This program enables children to increase their self-esteem, confidence, and literacy skills. A child who can read will do better in math and other school work.

Jazz Cultural Journey, is an event that takes the audience on a musical tour consisting of the African American experiences through a rich amalgam of diverse jazz music which is reflective of Hawaii's ethnic diversity.

School Cultural Enrichment is a program designed to acquaint teachers and student with African and African American culture through literaturre, the medium of dance, drumming, cultural skits in the classroom from Kindergarden to 12th grades.

HIV/AIDS Community Awareness seminars at local churches to provide information to the community as a preventive measure.

African American Literary Reading Group is an ongoing activity that meet every 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. The Group reads literature written mostly by Africans and African American authors. Since the Fall of 1997, hundreds of people from many cultures have been in attendance.

Annual Kwanzaa Celebration takes place at the Hilton Hawaiian Village from December 26 to December 30. The Hotel promotes this event to its hotel guests. Each year, the number of guests attending increases.

HOURS
Monday to Friday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm - Call 597-1341 for
information

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African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii - The Passing Of Dr. John Edwards

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