Education determines the future of a people.
By President Syngman Rhee
Student Recruitment
K HISTORY
Field trip to South Korea
Date: 9 days and 7 nights!
Jun 8~16, 2024
Welcome to the Korea & Hawaii History Club (KHHC), a non-profit corporation dedicated to
fostering understanding and appreciation of Korean and Hawaiian history.
Founded with the intention of addressing historical oversights, we aim to promote accurate knowledge of Korea’s rich heritage and its connection to Hawaii. Our mission is to empower Korean American teenagers in Hawaii to become informed citizens and leaders, while also commemorating the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance and the sacrifices made during the Korean War. Through community engagement and educational initiatives, we strive to strengthen bonds between Republic of Korea, the United States, and Hawaii, forging a brighter future based on mutual understanding and respect. Join us in our endeavor to promote historical accuracy, cultural appreciation, and community service.
Motivation
Syngman Rhee's 30 Years in Hawaii
In early 2023, while watching the documentary “Syngman Rhee’s 30 Years in Hawaii,” I felt a surge of desire for new challenges. Through this documentary and the message conveyed by Mrs. Kim, I deeply contemplated the historical significance of the Korean community in Hawaii and its relevance to the founding of Korea.
Particularly, the stories about President Syngman Rhee’s role and the struggles for freedom and women’s suffrage among Korean women deeply moved and inspired me. Motivated by these newfound insights not widely known to the public, I, as a Korean female student studying in Hawaii, resolved to create a space to bring the hidden history between Korea and Hawaii to light.
Thus, I founded the Korea Hawaii History Club (KHHC). This club aims to preserve and promote the history and culture of the Korean community within Korea and Hawaii. Through educational activities related to the founding of Korea, volunteering, and field trips, KHHC seeks to support the growth and development of its community members.
I am committed to fostering not only my personal growth but also that of others through this club. I will continuously strive for progress without placing limitations on myself as a student abroad. Through these efforts, I aim to contribute to Hawaii’s multicultural society and foster a more vibrant Korean community both in Hawaii and within Korea. Your support in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated.
Interviewee: Hyosun Kim
Secretary General of the Association for the Promotion of
the Founding of the Republic of Korea
I don’t know if I should say this.
The reason I knew I wanted to make this documentary was because I wanted to make sure that
Not just young people and students in Korea.
And to our younger diaspora in Hawaii.
I wanted to tell the story of President Syngman Rhee properly.
They don’t know too much about President Syngman Rhee.
So Hawaii is where Syngman Rhee was based? It’s his second home.
But I felt very sad that the footsteps of President Syngman Rhee were being forgotten.