Presented by the Korean American Foundation Hawaii

The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts is pleased to announce a new exhibition entitled “Korea: There and Here” presented by the Korean American Foundation Hawaii commemorating the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to Hawai‘i.  From January 13-February 10, 2023 photographs by Marie Ann Han Yoo and rubbings from tombstones of early Korean laborers will be exhibited.

Themes that emerge through this exhibition are Korea’s post-war reconstruction, the spirit of Koreans, and social and political conditions of immigration. This exhibit is a celebration of Koreans and Korean Americans during the 120th anniversary of immigration and demonstrates the strength, creativity, and resilience of this community.

In the Honolulu Hale courtyard, about 30 photographs will be displayed by Marie Ann Han Yoo, a descendant of the first wave of Korean immigrants to the Territory of Hawai‘i.  Yoo, who sojourned to Korea at the age of 20, is the only known Korean American woman photographer whose work covered the post-war period (1956-57). Yoo captures the energy, vitality, and pathos of the post-war years as Korea slowly rebuilt itself.  The exhibit also reveals life in O‘ahu as Korean immigrants transitioned to Hawai‘i. Her photos show the diverse roles and variety of activities including the importance of family, intergenerational living, social clubs, and churches which all became an important part of cultural adaptation.

This is the first in-person exhibition of Yoo’s historic images that have only been seen online at the Korea Society and National Geographic. Some of these images have never been seen before by the public.

 In Lane Gallery, about 40 rubbings from tombstones of early Korean laborers will be exhibited.

There will be an opening reception on Tuesday, January 17, 5:00-6:30 pm

The Honolulu Hale Courtyard and Lane Gallery are both located at 530 South King Street in Downtown Honolulu.

Exhibition Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7:45am to 4:30pm