Twenty-second International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

Arts, literature, instructional design and educational practice were integrated to create a relevant place-based educational resource engaging interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives. This study continues the examination of how an original graphic novel about a 19th-century labor advocate was utilized to inform, give insight and promulgate heritage, culture and resilience. Since the 18th century, workers from Asia and Europe were recruited for the numerous sugarcane plantations along the Hāmākua Coast of Hawaiʻi island. However, the once thriving region has been affected by the demise of the sugar industry, highway infrastructure, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, the community practiced resiliency when it built a memorial in 1994 to honor the legacy of Katsu Goto as a labor champion, not a victim of racism and oppression when he was lynched in 1889 for his advocacy of plantation laborers. A community of practice of educators from intermediate, secondary and college educational levels utilized the graphic novel in their curriculum with copies provided by a grant. Motivational and instructional frameworks guided the study’s learning design process. The qualitative and quantitative findings, field notes and communication provided data triangulation. After analysis and interpretation were completed, the results significantly confirmed that the instructional resource and the community of educators, had a positive, educational impact upon students. This study contributed to sustaining the heritage, culture and resilience of the region and beyond. It has significant potential to influence the broad possibilities of the innovative, interdisciplinary transfer and translation of ideas, research and collaboration in humanities education.