Meet HHF Intern Camille Dahmen!

 

Camille Dahmen graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a B.A. in History and Political Science in May 2022. Camille began her internship with HHF in late June completing her HHF experience at the Preservation Honor Awards on October 20th. Her interests proved a natural fit for the world of preservation and her enthusiasm for Hawai‘i’s layered history was contagious! During her time with HHF, Camille helped at the Statues of O‘ahu Walking Tour in Waikīkī and the 2022 Preservation Honor Awards and participated in staff outings to view the historic Haleʻiwa’s interpretive signage project and tour the Liljestrand House in Tantalus, O‘ahu. (View photo gallery at bottom.)

The interview below took place in October 2022.  An abridged version appears in the HHF November 2022 newsletter.

 

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation: Tell us a little about yourself- where are you from, what are your interests and hobbies?

Camille Dahmen: I am from California and came to Hawai‘i to go to UH Mānoa. Originally, I came here to major in marine biology, but being immersed in the deep and profound history and culture here made me want to pursue my love and passion for history and political science. I have always been interested in history, playing sports like basketball and volleyball, reading and writing, trying new / fun food places, and going to the beach!

HHF: You’ve been employed while interning. Tell us about where you work, what you do there and why it lights you up?

Camille Dahmen: While interning at Historic Hawai‘i Foundation I have also been working as a docent at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island. The museum recently opened to the public the 207 ft World War II Air Control Tower for the first time in history and I was brought on to the team to share the stories of the day of the attack from the observation deck. It is my favorite thing in the world because not only is it a breathtaking 360-degree view of the harbor, mountains, even as far as to Diamond Head, but I also get to share history with folks from all over and give them an entirely new perspective on what happened December 7th, 1941 and for so many years after that. I also get to learn about the amazing aircraft we have and about the importance of airpower during the war. I learn something new everyday and for a history nerd like myself, I couldn’t ask for anything better!

HHF: How did you become interested in history, culture, and preservation?

Camille Dahmen: I have always loved history since I was young because of the influence from my family. We have kept up with our family history for many, many generations and I grew up on the stories shared with me about our ancestors. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with things of the past, whether it be stories, artifacts, etc., because of my family’s fascination too. I remember being at my Great Grandma’s house as a young girl and being absolutely captivated by the old family mementos she had. Later when I was 8 years old, I got to go to London with my family to watch and be featured in a documentary about my Great Grandfather Charles who was a B-17 bomber pilot and was killed in a mid-air collision over Greenham Common, UK. Once I moved to Hawai‘i for school, I gained a much greater perspective on culture and I started to recognize and learn about history in ways I never had before, and much of this was due to the amazing professors I had at UH Mānoa.

HHF: Any pivotal aha moments related to this you’d like to share?

Camille Dahmen: One pivotal moment that came full circle for me with historic preservation happened just a few months ago in May 2022 when I interviewed at the museum. 1 year ago, I took a Native Hawaiian politics class with Kumu Jamaica Osorio. We were tasked with picking a place on O‘ahu and to research the Native Hawaiian moʻolelo on it. Because I had the ability to enter the Pearl Harbor base, I chose that as my place that because I knew most people wouldn’t be able to. I learned so much about Pearl Harbor and Ford Island before it was known as those names and as a prominent American military base. I went along the historic Ford Island Trail and got to see the old buildings and hangars that were there from WWII. I remember wondering at the time why they still had the buildings up if all of the windows were shattered and the buildings were run down. That next year when I interviewed, one of the first things my manager showed me was the bullet holes in the hangar windows. He explained that the windows were considered historical artifacts and that by law they can never be touched again. I had such an ‘aha’ moment as just the year before I wondered why they hadn’t removed them! That is why it is so important to inform not only ourselves but those around us about the importance of preserving ALL of the history here in the islands.

HHF: What do you want others to know about Hawai‘i’s historic places?

Camille Dahmen: The one thing I really try to share with people, whether they live here or are visiting, is that the ground you are walking on has a story or moʻolelo and it is your job to seek out that history. Before it was this, it was that. Before Waikīkī was a popular tourist destination, it was a relaxing rest place for Hawaiian Royalty. Before Ford Island and Pearl Harbor was a military base, it was Moku‘ume‘ume and Puʻuloa, an abundant harbor with pearl oysters and fish that the Native Hawaiians would catch and harvest for generations. We are conditioned in our everyday life to see things the way they are presented, but it is so important to peel back the layers of our reality and see that nothing truly is how it seems. There is always more to know and to learn about the mana of where we are standing and how to preserve that and the history.

HHF: What are some of your favorite historic or cultural sites in Hawai‘i  and why?

Camille Dahmen:  My favorite cultural and historical sites on O‘ahu are Pearl Harbor and Ford Island because of the research I have done on that area and also because I work there. I also like Haleʻiwa and the North Shore. Through this internship, I was able to take the historic Haleʻiwa walking tour and see a different perspective on this now very popular touristy town. Another part of the island that I love is Kualoa on the east side. That is probably my favorite place on the island not only for its beauty, but for its important moʻolelo. It was a place of sacred soil where kanaka maoli would go to seek forgiveness and also where they would train and participate in warrior events of skill.

HHF: What’s your dream job look like at this moment in your life?

Camille Dahmen: At this moment in my life, my dream job would look like being a history teacher or professor. I do feel though that I am at my dream job with the museum. I get to teach people about the history of Pearl Harbor everyday and it is such an incredible experience to work and also live in such a historically significant place. I am very thankful.

View the photo gallery below highlighting memorable moments from Camille’s internship.

Learn more about these sites!

View the Haleʻiwa Story Map and take the virtual or in person tour. Visit the Liljestrand Foundation to learn more about events and tours of this mid-twentieth century modern architectural gem designed by Vladimir Ossipoff.