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Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language

Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies

Ka Papa Loi o Kanewai

Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language

2540 Maile Way
Spalding 253
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-6480
Fax: (808) 956-4599
Email: olelouhm@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/olelo

Faculty

*K. R. K. Oliveira, PhD (Interim Director)—innovative instruction of Hawaiian language through various cultural activities, Hawaiian place names and land tenure
*M. R. Nogelmeier, PhD (Graduate Chair)—innovative instruction of Hawaiian language and literature, translation, poetry, composition, creative writing
C. Baker, MA—Hawaiian grammar, construction of Hawaiian identity through language, Hawaiian language theatre, linguistic anthropology
T. Baker, MFA—Hawaiian language theatre, Pacific art and culture
K. de Silva, MA—Hawaiian language and literature, revitalization of language and identity through mass media
R. Koga, MA—Hawaiian and English language and literature, language teaching and learning
R. Lopes Jr., MEdT—innovative instruction of Hawaiian language through cultural means such as hula and music
*N. C. Losch, MA—Hawaiian language and culture, Pacific cultures
K. K. Lucas, MEd—Hawaiian language learning and instruction
F. P. Nicholas—Hawaiian language and culture, native Hawaiian language speaker
M. L. K. Saffery, MEdT—place-based Hawaiian curriculum for the Waikiki ahupua‘a; development of Hawaiian language undergraduate and graduate curriculum, partnerships with other university departments, Hawaiian language immersion schools and other community groups or development of culturally appropriate interdisciplinary curriculum
R. Solis, MA—Hawaiian language learning and instruction, Hawaiiian religion, newspaper translating and broadcasting
*S. L. Warner, PhD—Hawaiian language, Hawaiian language immersion education, evaluation, curriculum development and second-language acquisition, educational psychology
A. K. Wong, MEd—Hawaiian language and culture, immersion education, curriculum development, native Hawaiian language speaker
*K. L. Wong, PhD—revitalization of Hawaiian language and people

Degrees and Certificates Offered: Undergraduate Certificate in Hawaiian, BA in Hawaiian, MA in Hawaiian

The Academic Program

Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language (HAW) offers bachelor and master’s degrees in Hawaiian and an undergraduate certificate. The center conducts research in relevant fields of study and offers four years of language study as well as courses on immersion education, curriculum development, and topics of relevant Hawaiian cultural content. In partnership with the College of Education (COE), Kawaihuelani trains teachers for Hawaiian immersion schools, public schools with Hawaiian language courses, Hawaiian charter schools, and the UH Manoa program. The faculty and staff of Kawaihuelani create and implement projects and programs that promote Hawaiian language, culture, history, and traditions such as: Ka Halau Hanakeaka, Ho‘okûlaiwi, Institute for Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Education, Ho‘olaupa‘i: Hawaiian Newspapers Resources, Kauakûkalahale, Kaulakahi Aloha, Ke Aolama, Ku‘i ka Lono, Mary Kawena Pukui Hale, Ka Waihona a ke Aloha, Ola Na Iwi, and Kamaikahuliwa‘a.

Undergraduate Study

BA Degree in Hawaiian

Requirements

  • Completion of 124 non-repeated credit hours, including the General Education Requirements (see the “General Education Core and Graduation Requirements” section for more information) and the following program requirements:
  • GPA of 2.0 in all UH Manoa registered credit hours
  • 30 credit hours above HAW 202 with a GPA of 3.0 or better, including:
  • Required courses: HAW 301, 302, 401, 402, and 452
  • Electives: HAW 284, 321, 331, 332, 345, 373, 383, 384, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 435B, 435C, 445, 454, 462B, 462C, 462D, 463, 466, 470, 483, 484, 485, 486, 488, 490, and 499
  • A maximum of 3 credit hours from MAO 102, SAM 102, TAHT 103, 104, MUS 312, ES 360, MUS 412, MUS 413, SLS 430, LING 445
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better for all Hawaiian Language courses that serve as prerequisites for other Hawaiian Language courses. Students who do not meet this requirement will not be permitted to register for the next level of Hawaiian Language.
  • For Hawaiian Language majors, a grade of B or better is required for 300-400 level Hawaiian courses counted towards the Hawaiian Language major.

Students admitted to the BA program prior to 2007 should consult an advisor to review changes that may affect their programs.

Minor

In collaboration with the College of Education, Kawaihuelani administers this minor in Hawaiian (immersion education) to prepare secondary subject area teachers for the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program in the Department of Education. Acceptance into the minor follows:

  • Completion of 55 credits of university work with a 2.75 cumulative and major GPA
  • Admission to an appropriate academic major
  • Successful completion of the College of Education entrance exam and personal admissions interview
  • Successful completion of HAW 302 or higher
  • Attainment of a B (not B-) average for all advanced level Hawaiian language courses.

Requirements

A total of 27–36 credits will be required with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 in the minor courses: 15–18 from the College of Education and 12–18 from Hawaiian Language.

  • College of Education: ITE 312, EDEP 311, EDEF 310, one complementary course (ETEC 414; SPED 445; ITE 360; EDCS 431), ITE methods course (33X–34X) in subject area
  • Hawaiian: HAW 331, 332, 401, 402, 463, and 470

Certificates

On recommendation of the Center for Hawaiian Language, UH Manoa confers certification of achievement in Hawaiian language.

Requirements

  • 15 credit hours beyond the intermediate level in Hawaiian, including:
  • 6 credit hours in continuing language study
  • 9 credit hours in language, literature, or structure courses selected to complement the major field of study
  • A 3.0 GPA in courses leading to the certificate is required.
  • A grade of B or better is required for all Hawaiian Language courses counted towards the Hawaiian Language certificate.

Graduate Study

Master’s Degree

The graduate program in Hawaiian is designed to provide broad, in-depth education in the Hawaiian language, culture, and literature and is an integral part of the efforts to revitalize Hawaiian as a living language. The program is designed to create scholarship in Hawaiian in new domains, including advanced study of literature; to strengthen and expand the understanding and use of various styles of Hawaiian; to develop curriculum and resources and teacher training for the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian medium schools); and to provide support to graduate students in related fields. The MA in Hawaiian is intended for students who have a broad background in Hawaiian language and culture, but want more depth in their knowledge. The three areas of the curriculum that are available are:

  • Mo‘olelo. The Mo‘olelo curricula focuses on Hawaiian history and literature through the analysis, critique, creation and presentation of Hawaiian language resources.
  • Kumu Kula Kaiapuni. The Kumu Kula Kaiapuni curricula focuses on the educational, linguistic, and cultural tools that teachers need to perform better in Hawaiian medium schools. Students producing curriculum and developing their own teaching skills will also be able to work closely with the newly established Mary Kawena Pukui Hale: Center for the Survival and Promotion of Hawaiian
  • Kalai‘olelo. The Kalai‘olelo curricula focuses on the linguistic analysis of Hawaiian.

Admission Requirements

All potential graduate students must submit an application to the Graduate Division. Applicants to the MA in Hawaiian must have completed a bachelor’s degree and submitted the following to the graduate chair prior to admission: transcripts from each school attended; 18 upper-division credit hours in Hawaiian and HAW 402, or equivalent; a statement of objectives written in Hawaiian; and three letters of recommendation.

In addition, a written and oral examination in Hawaiian will be administered by the graduate chair, and an interview will be conducted by an admissions committee of Hawaiian language faculty.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete 33 credits, including the core requirements and must include at least 24 credits at the 600 level or higher. The required courses are HAW 601 Kakau Mo‘olelo (Narrative Writing), HAW 602 Kaka‘olelo Oratory (Hawaiian Speech Styles), HAW 615 Kuana‘ike (World View), HAW 652 Pilina ‘Olelo (Grammar) and a choice of either HAW 603 Noi‘i (Research Methods) or HAW 612 Na Mana‘o Politika Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Political Thought). With pre-approval from the graduate advisor, a student may include a limit of 9 credits not taught in Hawaiian. Thesis (Plan A) and Portfolio (Plan B) options are offered. The required course for Plan A is HAW 700 which can be taken for up to 6 credits. A student must write a thesis in Hawaiian on a topic approved by the student’s advisor. For Plan B a student will enroll in HAW 695 for up to 6 credits. This capstone course is the culminating experience where the student will display the knowledge he or she has researched into a form of his or her choice with the approval of the advisor. Students may also choose the internship/haumana relationship with a manaleo (native speaker), kupuna (elder), or other cultural practitioner where the student will observe, learn, participate and document the experience.

For more information on the MA in Hawaiian, contact the graduate chair through the departmental office.

Honors and Awards

Lokomaika‘iokalani Snakenberg Hawaiian Language Graduate Scholarship

Offered to encourage graduate-level research and study for students specializing in Hawaiian language and related fields, this scholarship provides an award of up to $5,000 per semester to students registered in graduate programs at UH Manoa.

Dorothy M. Kahananui Scholarship in Hawaiian Language

This scholarship is offered to students who have successfully completed at least the intermediate level of Hawaiian language, with preference given to doctoral or master’s degree candidates who plan to teach the language. The minimum amount of the award is resident tuition at UH Manoa.

Red Mandarin and Lady Yi-suen Shen Scholarship in Hawaiian Studies

Offered to undergraduate students in Hawaiian studies at UH Manoa, this scholarship covers tuition for the academic year. It is awarded to a degree candidate who demonstrates exceptional promise and achievement. Applicants must be pursuing a program of study that shows a central commitment to Hawaiian studies, including Hawaiian language.

HAW Courses