Touring exhibit of war posters reaches isles

You can travel to see an exhibit, but it's always way cooler when an exhibit travels to see YOU. That's the thinking behind the "Museum on Main Street" project, in which the Federation of State Humanities Councils teamed up with exhibitry professionals to create a series of traveling exhibits.

'Produce for Victory' On view: Through April 19, then moves throughout islands (see schedule, D4) Place: Judiciary History Center, Ali'iolani Hale Building, 417 S. King St. Kick-off event: Lecture/roundtable, "Propaganda vs. Patriotism," examines how Hawaii was portrayed during World War II; 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center Theater. Repeats April 12. Call: 539-4999 or visit www.museumonmainstreet.org Museum on the Move The "Produce for Victory" exhibition tour schedule: Through April 19: Judiciary History Center, 417 S. King St. May 1 to June 17: Kapolei Public Library, 1020 Manawai St. June 28 to July 19: Kailua Historical Society Aug. 1 to 31: Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Library Sept. 15 to Oct. 20: Wailuku Public Library, Maui Nov. 1 to Dec. 13: Kauai Museum Jan. 10 to April 10: Lyman House Memorial Museum, Hilo

More than a decade ago, MoMS was formed to bring high-quality, general-interest museumology to Americans who don't get much of a chance to see professional exhibitions, even rather small ones. In other words, rural America. The design pros at the Smithsonian Institution Technical Exhibition Service dreamed up some exhibits that travel easily, can be assembled and knocked down by the average citizen and can be married to additional materials provided by the local community.

Currently touring are exhibits such as "Key Ingredients -- America by Food," examining cultural cuisine; "Between Fences," about how these simple structures make for good neighbors; and "New Harmonies -- Celebrating American Roots Music," which is just what it sounds like.

The first traveling exhibit, though, was "Produce for Victory -- Posters on the American Home Front 1941-1945," an examination of wartime propaganda behind the lines. After hitting 49 states in 12 years, "Produce for Victory" has finally made it to Hawaii. (Some other exhibitions have been retired without being offered to the islands.)

Under the wing of the Hawai'i Council for the Humanities, the exhibit will be touring rural Hawaii -- with the one exception being the first stop, the Judiciary History Center in municipal Honolulu -- through next spring, when it will be retired permanently.

Each community will add something, such as additional exhibits, events, lectures or games, as well as provide trained docents for citizens with questions. Hawaii's experience in wartime was so fundamentally different from the rest of the nation that Smithsonian officials are looking forward to seeing how the 50th state interprets the subject.