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Jun 06, 2025
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2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog
Hawaiian Studies, MA
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 Return to: Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge
The Master of Arts degree in Hawaiian Studies builds on the BA program’s areas of concentration and features an interdisciplinary curriculum that draws from faculty strengths in indigenous knowledge as well as other academic fields. It addresses crucial issues such as the sustainability and resource management of the environment that is consistent with the geography and history of Hawaiʻi, Indigenous pedagogy and epistemology, and a political and governmental infrastructure for a Hawaiian nation. The MA also provides professionals in government, law, criminal justice, education, social work, and various health fields, the specialized knowledge in Hawaiian history and culture needed to adequately serve an array of communities.
Program Student Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the Hawaiian Studies master’s program students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies and develop a Native Hawaiian epistemology from sources in comparative Indigenous thought.
- Demonstrate understanding of Hawaiian archival research and familiarity with the rich historical primary sources existent in various archives.
- Demonstrate critical analysis of Hawaiian literature and an understanding of the significance of secondary sources in Hawaiian topics.
- Demonstrate critical thought and synthesis through the development of a research proposal and the completion of their thesis or practicum project (Plan A or Plan B).
- With high scholarly ability, contribute to Hawaiian research and knowledge through publications, presentations, and/or community service.
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Prerequisites
The following 15 credits of prerequisite course work are required for applicants who are not BA Hawaiian Studies degree recipients from UH Mānoa. These courses represent the educational foundations of our field and are required prerequisite courses to enroll in upper division undergraduate and graduate level courses. Although, students taking these prerequisites may enroll concurrently in graduate level Hawaiian Studies courses, enrollment is only allowed by the consent of the instructor. Applicants to the MA program must have satisfactorily completed HAW 302 or the equivalent at the time of entry. Any remaining prerequisite course work that was not completed prior to admission must be completed within in the first year. Courses in directed research/reading (e.g. HWST 499 /HWST 699 ) are not to be used to make up any prerequisite courses. Degree Requirements
Students must complete a total of 33 credits (not to include prerequisites) of which 18 credits must be at the 600 level or higher and have completed or demonstrated equivalency in HAW 402 . Students are required to complete, within the program, four HWST core courses (12 credits), two HWST area of concentration courses (6 credits), and a HWST thesis or practicum research course (6 credits). The remaining (9 credits) may be made up of elective course work. Students must receive a grade of B- or better in ALL courses counted towards their MA in Hawaiian Studies degree. Major Required Courses
There are four core classes that all MA students are required to take. They form the foundation of the MA program. Areas of Concentration
MA candidates will choose two of the five areas of concentration to focus their research. Candidates will be required to integrate the two areas of concentration into a thesis (Plan A) or a non-thesis (Plan B). Hālau o Laka: Native Hawaiian Visual Culture
Kūkulu Aupuni: Envisioning the Nation
Kumu Kahiki: Comparative Polynesian and Indigenous Studies
Mālama ʻĀina: Hawaiian Perspectives on Resource Management
Moʻolelo ʻŌiwi: Native History and Literature
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Return to: Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge
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