“The number one thing that I always knew I wanted to do was work in the Moloka’i community.”

Genasis Kalawe, MLIS 2024
Moloka’i, Hawaii

Genasis Kalawe, a Bridging Knowledge Scholarship recipient, graduated from San Jose State University this past Fall with her Master’s of Library Information Science. Within her meaningful career, she has helped to preserve and digitize the culture, history and life of Moloka’i, a small island in Hawai’i.

How it Began

Genasis Kalawe was born and raised in Moloka’i, a close-knit community in Hawai’i, where she resides today. 

“I was heavily inspired and raised in Hawaiian culture, in things that were culturally significant, especially from Moloka’i, so that was always a primary passion of mine.” 

She started college at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in 2016, majoring in Hawaiian studies and language. In 2020, she graduated, returned to Molokaʻi, and began working as a program specialist for youth substance prevention.

“The number one thing that I always knew I wanted to do was work in the Moloka’i community. The substance use prevention position was a great experience to learn how to connect with the community – especially when it’s a topic people have a hard time talking, learning or hearing about. There’s shame around it.”

The building Genasis worked in had a library, which was where she met the Moloka’i Library Services Cadre (MLSC). The MLSC is made up of a group of representatives from different libraries in Moloka’i.  The group’s goal is to preserve and archive Moloka’i history and cultural heritage. In 2021, Genesis started as an intern with the MLSC where she “learned how to properly digitize and handle collections, as well as teach community members of Moloka’i these skills.” 

The internship was the result of a partnership between MLSC and the cultural nonprofit organization Ka Ipu Makani. Along with her colleagues, Genasis visited the schools and libraries on Moloka’i (three elementary schools, a high school and a public library) to pull records related to Moloka’i history, such as “photographs, yearbooks, newspaper clippings, reports, and things like that.”

Eventually, after receiving a grant, the MLSC was able to establish the Moloka’i Digital Repository (MOA), an online database that allows community members to access Moloka’i’s history. In 2022, Genasis became the MLSC digital technician and continues to work on the project today.

“To be able to be a part of a project that’s able to bring out Moloka’i stories and history made by Moloka’i people is amazing to me. When I was in my Bachelor’s, I centered a lot of my work around my upbringing on Moloka’i, but I could rarely find Moloka’i made resources, so I knew that was something that was missing. We need our voice to be out there, rather than other people writing about Moloka’i. We can actually establish our stories, and that’s awesome.”

Bridging Knowledge and SJSU

Genasis found out about the Bridging Knowledge Scholarship during her internship through her director. The scholarship provides funding for 15 American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian graduate students to earn a Masters of Library Science degree from San Jose State University (SJSU) School of Information (ischool). She decided to go for it, and then, “everything just happened so fast. I applied, and they accepted.”

To improve her work with MLSC, she decided to focus on “archival studies, records management, and the digitization and preservation of cultural heritage and records.” However, it is impressive Genasis and her team were able to accomplish so much without prior archival training. 

“We learned from other librarians, as well as whoever we knew that was working in archives on other islands. Luckily, we had that support. Other than that, we looked online at examples on how to create policies and procedures for this kind of work.”

Life After Graduation

Genasis graduated from SJSU with her MLIS this past Fall. Currently, she is fully invested in the Moloka’i digital repository project and is planning their next steps. “Our next huge goal is to establish a physical archive.” Additionally, Genasis wants to inspire other members of her community.

“We just need a lot more professional development on our island, especially in library information science and in archiving. I really want to inspire our younger generation to go for it if they are passionate about it – that it’s possible, very possible.”

Now that school is over, Genasis also plans to spend time with her dogs, chickens, ducks, and other animals in her yard. She also now has more time to spend with her family, practice photography, play guitar and entertain small parties. 

Advice For Students

“Don’t think of the full scope of the program. That is just going to stress you out. Rather, just take it one assignment at a time. Also, find balance and learn how to differentiate your time. If it is time to study, then really focus on studying, and if it’s time for play, then it’s really time for play. Lastly, find your support group or your person that is going to always talk positively to you and help you push forward.”