Let’s Do the Time Warp Again: The Maui News Gets Indexed 1951-1973
Thursday (September 16), 7-9pm, J. Walter Cameron Center Auditorium, Wailuku, Free
Plop me in the far corner of UH Maui College’s library with just the zip of the microfilm reels and a handful of dimes (page prints are only 10cents a piece), and I’m happier than a school of silverfish snacking on a stack of old periodicals. Digging through the dailies of yesteryear is my favorite way to research stories, and is made all easier with handy dandy indices. But when searching for stuff between 1951 – 1973 (or later, for that matter) — not indexed until now — I’ve been resigned to scanning headlines page by dizzying page. Sure, it’s a fun way to happen upon stories you might otherwise have missed (not to mention ads from the day for war bonds and “flare pants”), but trudging through a time warp is nowhere to be when present-day deadline looms. Thank goodness the third volume of the Maui News Index has just been published; and to celebrate, there will be a free presentation and panel discussion next Thursday. Gail Ainsworth — who has nearly single-handedly compiled all three volumes — will moderate the discussion of how the island changed during that poignant 22-year era (freshly the 50th state, Korean and Vietnam wars, development of Kihei and Ka’anapali etc…). Audience discussion is encouraged and refreshments will be provided. The index is available at the Bailey House Museum gift shop along with the other two volumes (Vol. 1 – 1900 – 1932 and Vol. 2 1933 – 1950, $50 each), with proceeds benefiting the Maui Historical Society (a 501(c)(3) founded, appositely, in 1951). [808-244-3326; mauimuseum.org] More on The Maui News: Celebrating Matthew Thayer’s three-decade career is the new Schaefer International Gallery showcase “Matthew Thayer and The Maui News: Thirty Years of Photojournalism.” The opening reception is scheduled for this Saturday (September 11) at 5pm, with the show running through October 23 (daily gallery hours 11am – 5pm, and before Castle Theater shows). Also, save the date for Sunday (September 26), for “The Big Scoop on The News,” also at the gallery, featuring a panel of newspaper professionals dishing on the what it takes to do the daily. [808-242-7469; mauiarts.org]
Recently, I poured through The Maui News summer of 1970 — index-less, mind you — digging up stuff for the MauiTime story “Remembering Rainbow Bridge.” Here’s the MauiFeed.com link, to see some of that research put to use. So, I’ll be using the new index backwards at next Thursday’s event!
