2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog [DRAFT]
Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language
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2540 Maile Way
Spalding 253
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-4321
Fax: (808) 956-4599
Email: olelouhm@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/hshk/kawaihuelani/ | kawaihuelani.org
Faculty
*R. Lopes Jr., PhD (Director)—revitalization of Hawaiian language; applied learning of mele; Ka Waihona A Ke Aloha, Ka Papahana Hoʻoheno Mele, An interactive resource center for the promotion, preservation and perpetuation of mele and mele practitioners
*A. K. Wong, PhD (Graduate Chair)—Hawaiian language instruction and culture through Niʻihau language, curriculum development, native Hawaiian language speaker from Niʻihau
P. K. Ah Mook Sang, MA—Hawaiian language and culture; curriculum development, educational philosophies and foundations with focus on community engagement through political activism and organizing, pedagogy with emphasis on social constructivism
*C. M. K. Baker, PhD—Hawaiian discourse grammar, syntax, literature, folklore, construction of Hawaiian identity through language, Hawaiian language theatre, linguistic anthropology
*K. de Silva, PhD—political and poetic discourses of aloha ʻāina; revitalization of Hawaiian language, literature, lands, and people through print media, mele, and storytelling
K. Foster, MEd—Hawaiian language learning and instruction, kaiapuni curriculum development
*R. Koga, MA—Hawaiian and English language and literature, language teaching and learning
J. K. Lono, MA, MEd—Hawaiian language and culture; online instructional design with an emphasis on engagement tools for language acquisition; Haw 100 FGB Summer Bridge with UH Mānoa Athletics
K. K. Lucas, MEd—Hawaiian language learning and instruction
E. Martin Jr., MA—innovative and critical language pedagogy; Hawaiian literature, culture, and art; Hawaiian archival research and translation; critical political and indigenous theory; aesthetics; aesthetics of colonialism
P. Niau-Puhipau—Hawaiian language and culture, native Hawaiian language speaker from Niʻihau
*K. R. K. Oliveira, PhD—innovative instruction of Hawaiian language through various cultural activities, Hawaiian place names and land tenure
A. Rozet, MA—archival and historical analysis of aliʻi letters, Hawaiian language curriculum development and instruction in immersion camp settings
*M. L. K. Saffery, PhD—approaches to ʻĀina education that honor and nurture the development of kanaka-ʻāina (people-land) relationships in all aspects of the curriculum and pedagogy, ʻŌiwi research methodologies, development of culturally grounded, interdisciplinary Hawaiian language undergraduate and graduate curriculum
*R. Solis, PhD—Hawaiian language learning and instruction, Hawaiian religion, newspaper translating and broadcasting
J. K. Stone, MA—ʻĀina-based Hawaiian language learning and instruction focusing on traditional food systems; curriculum development through a comprehensible input approach
C. K. Tabor, MA—Hawaiian language acquisition and instruction; curriculum development
N. H. Williams-Solomon, MA— Hawaiian language pedagogy, revitalization, linguistic ideologies, translation theory, morphosyntax
*K. L. Wong, PhD—revitalization of Hawaiian language and people
M. K. Wong, MA—Hawaiian language and culture, Paniolo practices and lifestyle.
* Graduate Faculty
The Academic Program
Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language (HAW) offers an undergraduate certificate, a minor in Hawaiian, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Hawaiian. 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 collaboration with the College of Education, Kawaihuelani also offers a BAM pathway or combined Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian (HAW) and Master of Education in Teaching (MEdT) pathway that helps students earn both degrees in five years, including teacher certification leading to licensure. The faculty and staff of Kawaihuelani create and implement projects and programs that promote Hawaiian language, culture, history, and traditions, such as: Ka Hālau Hanakeaka, Kauakūkalahale, Kaulakahi Aloha, Ke Aolama, Lā Mānaleo, Lā Mele, Mary Kawena Pukui Hale, Ka Waihona a ke Aloha, Ka Waihuna o ka Naʻauao, and Mauiakama.
Undergraduate Study
BA Degree in Hawaiian
Program Student Learning Objectives
Upon completion of a BA in Hawaiian, students should be able to:
- Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions on more abstract topics at an advanced level of fluency and accuracy. (Speaking)
- Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners at an advanced level of fluency and accuracy. (Speaking)
- Understand and interpret spoken Hawaiian at an advanced level on a variety of topics beyond the immediacy of the situation. (Listening Comprehension)
- Comprehend and interpret a wide variety of texts written in Hawaiian that are more conceptually abstract and linguistically complex, and/or texts that focus on unfamiliar topics and situations (e.g. primary source materials like literature, poetry, newspaper articles written by native speakers of Hawaiian). (Reading Comprehension)
- Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of readers in a variety of more lengthy written forms about a number of possible topics using advanced vocabulary, expressions, and structures. (Writing)
- Deepen understanding of and respect for the Hawaiian culture and its people through the study of unique practices, perspectives, issues, and products of the culture that are expressed through and embedded in the Hawaiian language. (Culture, Comparisons & Connections and Communities)
- Continue to develop insight into the nature of language and culture by comparing Hawaiian language and culture to other languages and cultures. (Culture, Comparisons & Connections and Communities)
- Expand and broaden appropriate application of Hawaiian language and culture in authentic settings within and beyond the classroom in order to connect to other disciplines, contexts, and domains, access information, and interact with others in the Hawaiian language community. (Culture, Comparisons & Connections and Communities)
Minor
Kawaihuelani offers an undergraduate minor in Hawaiian.
Certificate
On recommendation of the Center for Hawaiian Language, UH Mānoa confers certification of achievement in Hawaiian language.
BAM Pathway
Effective Fall 2021, in collaboration with the College of Education, Kawaihuelani offers a BAM pathway or combined Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian (HAW) and Master of Education in Teaching (MEdT) pathway that helps students earn both degrees in five years, including teacher certification leading to licensure.
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:
- Moʻolelo. The Moʻolelo 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.
- Kālaiʻōlelo. The Kālaiʻōlelo curricula focuses on the linguistic analysis of Hawaiian.
Program Student Learning Objectives
Upon completion of a MA in Hawaiian, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate comprehension of traditional literary texts. (Reading Comprehension)
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Demonstrate understanding and interpretation of various levels of spoken Hawaiian, including but not limited to native speaker dialog. (Listening Comprehension)
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Offer a quality* public presentation in Hawaiian (Speaking) *Quality defined as proper use of the Hawaiian language and demonstration of Hawaiian concepts (i.e., welina, hua ʻōlelo, pilina ʻōlelo, ʻōlelo noʻeau, kūkulu manaʻo, kuanaʻike)
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Demonstrate competence in formal writing skills that have practical/contemporary application (Writing)
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Demonstrate the ability to apply cultural norms in a range of communicative settings (professional, community, etc.) (Culture)
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Construct a culturally sensitive research project that utilizes/analyzes relevant existing resources and methods and contributes to the overall Hawaiian knowledge base (Research)
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Hawaiian Language program is for the fall semester only. Prospective students must have completed a bachelor’s degree, 18 upper-division credit hours in Hawaiian, and HAW 402 (or equivalent) prior to applying. In addition to meeting the requirements of Graduate Division, prospective students must also submit the following application materials:
Send to graduate chair via mail or email:
- Three (3) current letters of recommendation from the applicant’s former professors. At least one letter must be from a Hawaiian Language faculty member (not to include GTAs, lecturers, or academic advisors). Unsigned letters of recommendation will not be accepted.
Upload to the Graduate Application Supplemental Documents Upload site:
- Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language Graduate Application Form
- A two-page statement of objectives written in Hawaiian describing the applicant’s proposed thesis topic and its basic relationship to the interdisciplinary field of Hawaiian Language.
Prospective students who advance to the second round of review will be given a written and oral examination as well as an interview in Hawaiian.
Note: Application materials are available on the Kawaihuelani website or from the Native Hawaiian Student Services Office in Kamakakūokalani Room 211.
Dual Master’s Degree Program
Students may pursue a Master’s in Hawaiian and a second master’s concurrently in Library and Information Science. Students enrolled in either program may apply for admission in the other degree program. The dual master’s option allows sharing of elective courses. For more information, contact the HAW graduate chair or a LIS advisor.
Credits for Previous Hawaiian Language Experience
Back Credits Policy & Procedures
Please refer to the Hawaiian and Second Language Policy on Back Credits available in the “General Education” section of the Catalog.
Definition: Back credits are credits received for previous language experience that do not qualify as transfer credits.
Eligibility: All students (including native speakers of a language and non-UH System students) with experience in Hawaiian language may be eligible to earn 3 to 16 back credits.
One Language: Back credits may be earned for ONLY ONE language and will be based on the first instance of taking a course for a letter grade in that language at UH Mānoa. A repeated or backtrack course is NOT eligible for back credits.
Students who wish to earn back credits for Hawaiian language shall:
- Make arrangements with Kawaihuelani’s academic advisor to take the Hawaiian language placement exam.
- Complete the Hawaiian language placement exam in order to determine the appropriate level HAW course for the student.
- Enroll (for letter grade) in the Hawaiian language course that the student was placed into after completing the Hawaiian language placement exam.
- Earn a grade of C or better (not C-) in the Hawaiian language course that the student was placed. Back credits will not be awarded if a student does not receive a grade of C or better for the class the student was placed. The grade of C or better must be earned on the first time the course was taken. A grade of C/NC is not eligible for back credits.
- Make arrangements to complete forms with Kawaihuelani’s academic advisor to receive back credits. Back credits are not automatically awarded. To receive back credits, students must complete a petition form with Kawaihuelani’s academic advisor. Submit the petition form the semester after the student’s satisfactory completion of the language course, but no later than one semester before graduation.
- Kawaihuelani’s academic advisor shall award from 3 to 16 back credits based on the course the student successfully completed with a grade of C or better. Back credits are earned with no grade assigned.
Transfer Credits Policy and Procedures
Please refer to the UH Mānoa Policy for Transfer Credits. Access: manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/policies.html#mini-three.
Definition: Transfer credits are credits received for previous language courses completed at another institute of higher education that articulate with UH Mānoa language courses. Transfer credits accepted for language courses completed at another institution of higher education are not eligible for back credits.
Eligibility: Majors and non-majors may request an evaluation of their Hawaiian language transfer credits, however, the request cannot be formally processed and approved until a student has been admitted to a program leading to a degree and has confirmed their intention to enroll.
- Students shall submit to Kawaihuelani’s academic advisor: (a) a completed “Request for Evaluation of Transfer Credits” form available at the Office of Admissions; as well as (b) supporting documents for each course requesting to be evaluated (include syllabus, course description, final product/ assignment, and textbook(s)/reading(s) used). If supporting documents are not available, the Kawaihuelani Curriculum Committee may request a short interview with students to assess their Hawaiian language proficiency and to ask them about the courses in question (what was learned, what did you do, etc.).
- The advisor will review the transfer credit petition to assure all required forms and supporting documents (listed above) are included and will check and printout the student’s transcript on STAR.
- The advisor will then send the entire transfer credit petition (forms, documents, and transcript) to Kawaihuelani’s Curriculum Committee for review and decision-making on a case-by-case basis. The Curriculum Committee is encouraged to include faculty with specific expertise when needed. The committee will review requests twice a semester, or as needed.
- Possible outcomes of the committee review may include:
- the outside course has already been articulated with UH Mānoa, so the credits will transfer and count as the articulated HAW course;
- the outside course is deemed equivalent to a HAW course even though it has not been officially articulated, so the credits will transfer and count as the equivalent HAW course;
- UH Mānoa does not have an equivalent course, but committee finds the outside course valuable and in line with the scope/mission of the program/degree, so the credits will transfer and count for an HAW upper-division elective; or
- the outside course is not equivalent to an existing HAW course and does not align with the scope/mission of the program/degree so credits will not be counted towards any HAW course.
- Final decisions of the Curriculum Committee will be communicated to the director and academic advisor, who will notify the student of the decision and guide them with finalizing the transfer credits process.
Scholarships
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 Mānoa.
Harry Kaʻanoʻilani Fuller and June Kamioka-Fuller “Limakōkua” Endowed Scholarship
Offered to full-time students pursuing a degree or certificate at the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language with preference to students pursuing a degree in another major in addition to Hawaiian language outside of the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge and those who demonstrate volunteerism and community service. Funds shall be used for costs associated with attendance (e.g., tuition, books, fees, etc.).
Karen Elaine Chandler Endowed Hawaiʻinuiākea Scholarship Fund for Hawaiian Studies, Dance, and Music
This scholarship supports degree-seeking undergraduate students in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language at UH Mānoa’s Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.
Lokomaikaʻiokalani 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 Mānoa.
Red Mandarin and Lady Yi-Suen Shen Scholarship in Hawaiian Studies
Offered to undergraduate students in Hawaiian Studies at UH Mānoa, 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.
To Apply for These Scholarships
- Connect to www.star.hawaii.edu;
- Log in with your username and password or ID number;
- Select scholarship tab;
- Search for scholarships;
- Follow the directions for each scholarship.
ProgramsBachelor’sMaster’sUndergraduate CertificateMinorCombined
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