Hawaiian Studies Program
ʻO wai kai ʻole i ke ala i hele mua ʻia e oʻu mau kūpuna
Hawaiian Studies Program Updates
Hawaiian Studies Program
Hawaiian Studies is a K-12 program that provides curriculum support and resources in the instruction and learning of Hawaiian culture, history and language. This may include integration of Hawaiian concepts and content into classroom lessons delivered by teachers and/or school-level Cultural Personnel Resources.
Hawaiian Studies Philosophy
The knowledge of our Kūpuna is the guiding light that directs our purpose in support of Hawaiian Education. Hawaiian education perpetuates the skills, knowledge, values and practices of the native people of Hawaiʻi and their innovations and resilient response to adapt to an ever-changing world. Hawaiian education leads to the development of a cultural lens that preserves core Hawaiian perspectives. Hawaiian education goes beyond content learning as it also includes internalizing and putting into practice the teachings of our Kūpuna.
Knowledge, skills and practices that are an integral part of Hawaiian education include, but are not limited to:
Ka mālama ʻāina — knowledge and stewardship of the land, ocean, and sky
Ka moʻolelo Hawaiʻi — knowledge and usage of the language, legends, stories, and arts
Ka nohona — knowledge and practice of Hawaiian culture and way of life
Ka ‘ike kūpuna — knowledge and consideration of history, origins, genealogy and governance of Hawaiʻi
Core Hawaiian perspectives in teaching and learning include, but are not limited to:
Ka pilina — recognizing and honoring relationships and inter-connections
Ka mahalo — displaying gratitude and appreciation
Ke aloha — showing compassion and kindness
1978 State Constitutional Amendment - Article X, Section 4
Hawaiian Studies Resources
Kūpuna Component
The Kūpuna Component brings ʻike kupuna into classroom. As "Kūpuna" or Cultural Personnel Resources (CPRs), practitioners and community members share their knowledge and experience with students from kindergarten to grade 6.
A set of Competencies rooted in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Kuanaʻike, and Honua intended to support educators to refocus the perspective and focus of content and context of school environments/ curricula to Hawaiʻi.
Please use this working list of resources to support implementation of ʻĀina Aloha (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Kuanaʻike, Honua).
E Moʻolelo Kākou is a professional development series offered through a partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education's (HIDOE), Office of Hawaiian Education (OHE) and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Education's Aupuni Palapala program. The intent of E Moʻolelo Kākou is to use moʻolelo or storytelling as a way to bring community to learn and share with and from each other.
Community-based Organizations across the state organized by island and district.