Yesterday, members of the ACLU of Hawaiʻi team had the privilege of joining students, faculty, and community advocates at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Kuykendall Hall for a vital, timely event: "Holding the Line for Free Speech at UH."
Organized and hosted by the brilliant minds at the UH Mānoa Political Science Department, the afternoon event combined a community potluck with a robust, urgent panel discussion centered on the continuous fight to preserve and protect free speech within our public university systems.
Grounding the Discussion: A Powerful Panel
The afternoon kicked off with an inspiring lineup of featured speakers who set a profound tone for the dialogue:
Jonathan Osorio
ʻIhilani Lasconia
Cynthia Franklin
Dean Saranillio
Together, they detailed the historical and contemporary challenges to open discourse on campus, emphasizing that public universities must remain sanctuaries for diverse viewpoints, rigorous debate, and peaceful advocacy. Their collective insights served as a reminder that constitutional protections like the First Amendment are not self-executing—they require active, community-led defense.
Talking Story & Building Community
Representing the ACLU of Hawaiʻi at the event were Community Field Fellow Catherine Titzer, Community Engagement Director Sergio Alcubilla, and our brand-new Policy Fellow Sarah Bernardo.
For our team, the event was a wonderful opportunity to connect face-to-face with the UH community over plates of shared food in room 410. Fostering a just and equitable society relies entirely on these grassroots spaces where students, academic leaders, and civil rights advocates can talk story, share distinct perspectives, and strategize for the future.
We extend our deepest mahalo to the UH Mānoa Political Science Department for bringing us all together, to the speakers for sharing their critical expertise, and to everyone who brought a dish to share and contributed to the vibrant discussion.
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