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Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language

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‘O ka ‘ōlelo ke ka‘ā o ka mauli—Language is the fiber that binds us to our cultural identity.

Established in 1997, UH Hilo's College of Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani, was named in honor of Ruth Ke‘elikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa, the 19th century high chiefess known for her strong advocacy of Hawaiian language and culture.

Building upon the vast repository of traditional knowledge left by our elders before us, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language faculty, staff, and students seek to realize its vision statement for the benefit of all of Hawai‘i's people through the revitalization of Hawaiian language, traditional culture, and education in a Hawaiian medium setting.

Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language Web Site

Visit the Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language web site at http://www.olelo.hawaii.edu/khuok/.

Hale Kuamo‘o

The Hale Kuamo‘o Center for Hawaiian Language and Culture Through the Medium of Hawaiian is the support and research division of Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language. The Center encourages and supports the expansion of the Hawaiian language as a medium of communication in education, business, government, and other contexts of social life in the public and private sectors of Hawai‘i and beyond. The Center's programs include:

Curriculum Development, Media and Telecommunications Services

  • Development, production and distribution of instructional materials for implementation in Hawaiian medium schools
  • Hawaiian language research and development
  • Media and Telecommunications
  • Hawaiian Medium Inservice
  • Leo Ola (Summer Institute)
  • Kāko‘o Kula (School Site Support)
  • Kāko‘o Kaiapuni Hawai‘i (Teacher Inservice)

Hawaiian Medium Laboratory Schools

Legislation establishing Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language provides for laboratory school programs to include Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u (on Hawai‘i Island), Ke Kula ‘O Samuel M. Kamakau (on O‘ahu), Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha (on Kaua‘i), and other sites as appropriate. All laboratory programs reflect Ke Kumu Honua Mauli Ola Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian educational philosophy which asserts Hawaiian cultural identity as the basis of education and participation in contemporary life. Hawaiian is the medium of instruction and communication among students, staff, and administration at the laboratory schools, which focus on college preparation, environmental and health studies, sustainable agriculture, and teacher training.

Extension of the laboratory school program to other sites is facilitated by a consortium between the College and the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo.

Outreach

Outreach currently includes work with the Hawaiian community both locally and abroad, as well as with other native peoples, especially those of North America and the Pacific. Hale Kuamo‘o is also the Secretariat for the Polynesian Languages Forum which unites the developing indigenous languages of 13 Polynesian governments.

Hawaiian Studies Division

The Hawaiian Studies Program is one of the most innovative baccalaureate programs at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, offering two options for study, each focused on a Hawaiian-based cultural continuum:

  • The continued development of Hawaiian culture within a Hawaiian language context; and
  • The monitoring of the direction of Hawaiian culture.
  • This program basically serves four groups of students:
  • Those taking courses for their own interest and to fulfill University requirements;
  • Those minoring in Hawaiian Studies;
  • Those pursuing certificates in Hawaiian language or culture; and
  • Those majoring in Hawaiian Studies.

In addition, our program provides a unique educational opportunity for students interested in culture, economics, politics, sociology, linguistics, music, anthropology, biology, geography, history and dance.

Curricula

The academic division of Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language emphasizes language acquisition, linguistics, traditional culture and education in a Hawaiian medium environment. The Hawaiian Studies Division currently oversees:

  • The Undergraduate Program, which offers
  • The B.A. in Hawaiian Studies
  • The Minor in Hawaiian Studies
  • The Certificate in Hawaiian Language
  • The Certificate in Basic Hawaiian Culture
  • The Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program
  • The M.A. in Hawaiian Language and Literature (for details on this program, see the College's Web site)

The Atmosphere

Students in the Hawaiian Studies Program come from several islands and play a key part in its direction. The classroom atmosphere stresses mastery of Hawaiian culture and its active use, particularly the Hawaiian language. All upper-division Hawaiian culture, linguistics and performing arts courses are taught in Hawaiian. The program also emphasizes the importance of contact with the community. Toward this end, the program requires majors to take at least one course taught by a community expert and to complete the exiting seminar class which focuses on community involvement. Permeating Hawaiian Studies in Hilo is a sense of responsibility for Hawaiian culture, a commitment which is shared by faculty and students alike. Those interested and concerned with Hawai‘i's future will find Hilo to be a stimulating and enjoyable place to live and study.

Academic Advisor: Students are encouraged to make an appointment or to stop by the office of the academic advisor to go over scheduling of classes and discuss any difficulties or successes they are experiencing in their classes and/or with their instructors. Students are also directed to tutoring programs or other counseling programs on campus to assist them in their studies and/or personal issues.

Weekly Email Updates: A weekly email of the College's announcements and news is sent out to all Hawaiian Studies majors and minors.

Hawaiian Language Tutors: Hawaiian language tutors are available for all levels of Hawaiian language study.

Mānaleo Program: Students can strengthen their proficiency in Hawaiian through conversation with native speakers who visit campus once a week.

Guest Speakers: Presentations by a wide variety of guest speakers on Hawaiian language, culture, social and political topics are held each semester.

Discussions: Student/faculty “talk-story” sessions about current issues within the Native Hawaiian community are also held each semester.

Internships and Volunteer Opportunities: To assist students in career planning and in learning about upcoming work/volunteer opportunities in a Hawaiian Studies field, a program including internships to Hawaiian language places of employment such as the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Hale Kuamo‘o, Hawai‘i Department of Education, and Lyman Museum is currently nearing completion.

The Future

Hawaiian Studies is a new field which is already playing an important role in the direction of life in Hawai‘i. In response to amendments to the Hawai‘i State Constitution, public schools and government departments are presently developing programs to promote Hawaiian culture, language and history for the general public, in addition to implementing new programs for people of Hawaiian ancestry.

There are jobs in the ministry, law, land surveying, the entertainment industry, education, agriculture, journalism, the media, fish and game management, and social services that require a background in various aspects of Hawaiian Studies. In the private sector, individuals are establishing businesses in food and beverage, fashion, publishing, and telecommunications with a Hawaiian Studies foundation. There are many exciting opportunities now and in the future for those dedicated to the goal of Hawaiian Studies: meeting the rapidly increasing demand for Hawaiian language, knowledge, skills, and expertise in all areas of social, economic, and political life in Hawai‘i.

Currently, the area of greatest expansion is found in schools taught entirely through Hawaiian. These Hawaiian medium/immersion programs are conducted by the Pūnana Leo and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education. The ever increasing need for teachers and curriculum for these programs provides fine employment opportunities for those committed to Hawaiian cultural continuity.

The Hale Kuamo‘o Center for Hawaiian Language and Culture Through the Medium of Hawaiian provides special support services for Hawaiian education programs. The creation and expansion of this center, together with the Hawaiian language and culture efforts throughout the UH system, have created a demand for new faculty and staff with Hawaiian Studies credentials.

Clearly, opportunities in the field of Hawaiian Studies are both broad and limitless, because Hawaiian Studies is part of a major change in modern Hawaiian society. Today, people are actively cultivating that which is Hawaiian, not only on the job, but at home and in the community as well. Hawaiian Studies will help you to fit into the Hawai‘i of the future. And because this change of attitude is not limited to Hawai‘i, but is found throughout the Pacific and the world, Hawaiian Studies will help you better to relate to others on a global level. Hawaiian Studies is a field with a bright future!

A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for the B.A. degree. Majors must fulfill 43 semester hours and may choose to emphasize either of the two primary options of the program. The minor requires 23 semester hours. Certificates require from 24 to 26 semester hours. All semester hours must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language Faculty and Staff