The Politics of Representation: Reflections on Controversial Issues in Museums and Related Places in Japan and Hawai’i

This two-day symposium and keynote presentation brought together scholars, educators, and museum professionals from Japan and Hawaiʻi to discuss the challenges of developing exhibits with controversial or highly sensitive content on historic events and related issues. Explore photos, programs, and interviews from the symposium here.

Presenters reflected on their experiences working in museums, cultural centers, historic sites, and community festivals. Each focused on a case study and provided a glimpse of how they researched and prepared an exhibit; consulted with scholars, teachers, education specialists, board members, staff, and community stakeholders; and made crucial decisions along the way.