Pacific and Asian Affairs Council grew out of the Honolulu Branch of the Institute of Pacific Relations. The history of the Institute of Pacific Relations is briefly summarized in the historical note for that collection (M00004). Against the background of mounting criticism of the IPR during the McCarthy era, the Honolulu Branch elected to disassociate itself from the IPR and to reorganize as Pacific and Asian Affairs Council in December 1953. Initially there were few changes: the staff remained; PAAC retained the library and headquarters in “Pacific House” (a residence at 2014 University Avenue near the University of Hawai‘i owned by the local IPR); and maintained its largely student-oriented program.

Over time changes have occurred while some aspects of the program have remained remarkably similar. PAAC sponsors a variety of activities for secondary and college students in which international topics are the focus. Over the years, thousands of students in Hawai‘i have participated in these events. On the other side, PAAC has not continued the highly developed research aspect of the IPR. Shortly after the focus began shifting from research to secondary education programs, the need for a library diminished and PAAC cut back the accessions budget and then eliminated the library itself. As the Pacific House deteriorated with age, and less space was required for the programs, the directors decided to sell the property and rent smaller facilities. For the past twenty or more years, the headquarters of PAAC have been located in the East-West Center. Along with its secondary education program, PAAC also sponsors a speakers program directed to the whole community and maintains an affiliation with the World Affairs Councils of America. PAAC remains one of Hawai‘i’s important international organizations. For a more detailed history, see “Celebrating 50 Years of Bringing the World to Hawaii” (Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, 2004).