A 6-strand Ni'ihau shell lei with a large shell clasp likely created between 1900 and 1960. According to Ni'ihau Cultural Heritage Foundation, the term 'Ni'ihau shell' legally refers only to shells gathered on the shores of the Forbidden Island, or Ni'ihau in Hawaii. Access to this island is highly restricted to preserve its unique culture and environment, making this style of lei both culturally significant and highly valuable.
There are three different shells that are commonly used to make Ni‘ihau shell lei: kahelelani, momi, and lāiki, as well as a fourth one, kāmoa, which is frequently used to add contrasting color.
This particular lei appears to be made primarily of momi or lāiki shells with a pōleholeho lenalena pendant.
Donated by Charlotte Phillips in honor of her mother.
"You Are Here" is a digital art piece printed on canvas by artist Steph Littlebird. The piece depicts plants and animals native to the land that Pacific University’s Forest Grove and Hillsboro campuses are situated; the land of the Tualatin Kalapuyas, or Atfalati, now part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Littlebird's statement on "You Are Here": "This design combines a landscape and topographical view of the land Pacific University is situated on. Overlapping depictions of Indigenous plants and animals with maps of the local river systems remind viewers of where they are, focusing their awareness on the present with a mindful message 'You are here.'"
"You Are Here" was commissioned by the University Cultural Collections Committee in 2024 for the entryway of Les AuCoin Hall. Created by Steph Littlebird, an artist, author, curator and enrolled member of Oregon’s Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes. Steph earned her B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) in Portland, Oregon, she currently lives and works in Las Vegas.
Littlebird is known for her vibrant graphic imagery that combines traditional styles of her Indigenous ancestors with contemporary illustration aesthetics. Her work often examines issues related to Native identity, cultural resilience, and responsible land stewardship.
A very large mural-like painting on canvas, depicting the Goddess Hina of Moloka'i, a red and orange sky and swirling grey smoke, green taro leaves and water. Many handprints in a rainbow of colors appear in the sky, as well as arrow-shaped symbols. This piece was created on October 5, 2023 as a collaboration between the artist Kalae Tangonan and the staff of her visiting Molokai clothing business named Kupu A’e Molokai, along with students from Pacific University. They created the mural in response to the wildfires of 2023 that destroyed most of the historic town of Lahaina, Maui in Hawai'i. The medium appears to be spray paint and/or latex paint; it is applied to a plastic-backed canvas drop-cloth.
An article titled "An Ode to Home" (Avari Schumacher, Oct. 12, 2023) in the Pacific University Index newspaper describes its creation: "At first, it was just the members of the group Kupu A’e Molokai working on the mural. But soon others joined. 'I didn’t expect anybody to really show up because at the beginning, no one was really around,' said Tangonan. 'Then as the day went on, we had around 30 students show up.' With so many students wanting to join, Tongonan had them use their hand prints as the background of the mural. 'The handprints in the mural represent something we call Manamana Lima,' Tangonan passionately explained. 'This represents your fingers and then it connects to your hand which is transferring up with your energy. We call it mana or spirit.'"
A Japanese doll in a glass case. A gift to President Hallick from Fred Scheller, probably circa 2010. This was a gift bought in Japan by Fred's wife which Fred thought should be given to Pacific University.
