With an enthusiasm and vigor that belie her 70-something years, Komelia Hongja Okim has been helping the nation celebrate Korean immigration to the United States via art. Long before the immigration centennial six years ago, Okim had already been organizing exhibits of works by fellow Korean-American artists.

“;I feel it's my duty to do something for Koreans in America and Americans in Korea,”; she says. “;So I arrange traveling shows and art seminars. I took a lot of American art to Korea. I've been doing this 20 years now.”;

Hawaii is currently benefiting from Okim's efforts with “;Traces and Trajectories,”; showing at the Academy Art Center through Jan. 31. The show features 10 artists who, like Okim, were born in Korea and came to build lives and become citizens in America. Seven, including Okim, are art educators at colleges across the country; the other three are professional artists. Included in the lineup are Hawaii's Jinja Kim and Kloe Kang.

“;Traces and Trajectories”; has special significance, says Okim, because Hawaii was the first site of immigration by Koreans. “;It's an optimistic title because 'traces' is about tracing our culture, and 'trajectories' (refers to) seeking the future with our Korean-American background.”;

The show was preceded most recently by similar exhibits at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Maryland in 2005 and a 2003 Smithsonian show with 18 featured artists.

  Hawaii's show took three years to plan, a big project by any standard. But Okim seems to be one of those folks who views the world with fresh eyes every day, and she speaks with a certain carefree joy about not only the exhibit, but also her 36-year career as an educator and her work as a metal artist.

“;I plan to teach three to four more years. I have lots of energy and I love teaching; it allows me to be active. Teaching helps me ... know more about the community and its art.”;

Okim carries a full-time teaching load at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md., meaning she's in the classroom three days a week.

“;But that still gives me two days, plus the weekend, to do my art,”; she says with enthusiasm.

The Academy Art Center, 1111 Victoria St., is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 532-8741.