UH Hilo celebrates Constitution Day with pop-up website
The website has information about the U.S. Constitution including links to resources and literature on the topic, an essay by a constitutional scholar, and international students sharing their thoughts on democratic systems.
Faculty and students at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo have created a website in celebration of the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
The site is sponsored by the UH Hilo Department of Political Science and Administration of Justice in collaboration with the UH Hilo Mookini Library, the Department of English, and the Office of International Services and Intercultural Education.
The online resource features:
- Essay on the meaning and significance of Constitution Day (by Sarah Marusek, Professor of Public Law and Constitutional Law Expert, UH Hilo Department of Political Science and Administration of Justice)
- Your Voice (thoughts shared by international students on democratic systems)
- Literature on Constitution Day (by Kimberly Russell, Department of English)
- Library collection on Constitution (by Amy Saxton (UH Hilo Mookini Library)
- Fun quizzes
- Useful resources
Student Kemey Shirley Andrew has contributed to the project with her mana‘o about the political system in Kosrae. Andrew was born in Hawai’i and moved around place-to-place due to her family’s military background. She eventually returned to her island home of Kosrae. She is pursuing law to be able to help her nation, the Federated States of Micronesia, after the Compact of Free Association ends.
“I hope to graduate with a B.A. in Administration of Justice, and my future goal is to become a lawyer,” she says in a Facebook video produced by the UH Hilo Pacific Students Media.
In her own voice on the Constitution Day website:
The political system in Kosrae is similar to that of the US in that we have executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
As a democracy, the Kosraean government seems to work well with the people and what they want. However, there are situations where the smaller villages have a lesser say in decision-making because they are viewed as people at the bottom of the governmental hierarchy. As a society that practices democracy, I believe that we can do so much better if we get rid of the biases that we have towards women and the leaders of the smaller villages. When it comes to civic participation, I believe that the people in this state are doing well because all villages are usually included.
Competition is a big motivating factor because the citizens gain rewards when they work together to help out. Which I think is actually a great way for the people in the societies back home to participate in minor to major civic duties.
In celebration of Constitution Day, copies of the Constitution are available for pick up on Sept. 17, between 12:30-1:30 p.m. at University Classroom Building, room 355.
The website is available through Sept. 30.
For more information or any questions, contact Su-Mi Lee, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science and Administration of Justice.
Susan Enright is a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
