Purpose

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collects archival historical documents and artifacts to preserve 200 years of Black history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

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 provide events and programs to enhance cultural appreciation.

“To share its amalgamation of ethnic cultural diversity heritage experiences with the people of

Hawai`i”, visitors and military families to educated and enlightened the community about Americans of

African ancestry and their contributions to the Hawaiian Islands and World War II Pacific Theater.  

               Collaboration, diversity and inclusiveness to building relationships with diverse audiences, provide       opportunities for community wide learning, create a culturally sensitive environment where everyone can feel valued in appreciation of its cultural differences and celebrate cultural similarities.

HISTORY

The African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawai'i (AADCCH) was founded in 1997 as a museum repository to collect and archive 200 years of history about people of African descent in Hawaii.  The Center's purpose is educate the community by sharing its collection in exhibitions which encompasses various disciplines: medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and arts.

Maritime labor during the 17th and 18th centuries was predominantly Black. The earliest pioneers arrived in the Hawaiian Islands around 1769. These men came from Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa, Brazil, Caribbean and mainland United States.  Throughout the age of sail, black men maneuvered white sails traversing the ocean waterways.  The Atlantic Ocean ships brought Blacks to the slave blocks, the Pacific Ocean brought them to freedom. King Kamehameha I and the royal family greeted these men with much aloha.

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.