School of Hawaiian Knowledge

School of Hawaiian Knowledge. The School of Hawaiian Knowledge is a distinct college within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa dedicated to the advancement and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian culture, language, and history. Established to address the unique educational needs of Hawaiian people and to serve as a center for indigenous scholarship, it integrates traditional knowledge with academic rigor. The school plays a pivotal role in the Hawaiian Renaissance and the broader movement for Hawaiian sovereignty.

History and establishment

The school's origins are deeply connected to the political and cultural resurgence of the 1960s and 1970s, a period known as the Hawaiian Renaissance. This movement, which included protests like those over Kahoolawe and the Kalama Valley, highlighted the need for institutional support for Hawaiian language and studies. Key figures such as Larry Kimura and Haunani-Kay Trask were instrumental advocates. The establishment of the Hawaiian Studies program in 1971 and the creation of the Hawaiian Language College were critical precursors. The School of Hawaiian Knowledge was formally established in 2007 by the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, consolidating several programs into a single, empowered academic unit.

Academic programs and degrees

The school offers a comprehensive curriculum leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with a core focus on ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Key departments include the Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language and the Hawaiinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, which houses disciplines like Hawaiian history, indigenous politics, and traditional arts. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian Studies or advanced degrees focused on Hawaiian language and literature and indigenous education. The school is also integral to the Ka Papahana Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Language Immersion Program) across the state's public schools.

Research and cultural initiatives

Research initiatives prioritize Hawaiian epistemology and community-driven projects. Scholars engage in work documenting mele (songs), oli (chants), and moʻolelo (histories), often in collaboration with institutions like the Bishop Museum and the Hawaiʻi State Archives. The school supports the Hawaiian Journal of History and the ʻŌiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal. Significant cultural initiatives include the Mālama ʻĀina (care for the land) projects and the revitalization of lāʻau lapaʻau (traditional medicine). It also partners with organizations such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Alu Like nonprofit on various research endeavors.

Faculty and notable scholars

The faculty comprises leading authorities in Hawaiian knowledge systems. Notable scholars have included linguist and professor Larry Kimura, a key figure in the Hawaiian language revival, and political scientist Haunani-Kay Trask, a renowned advocate for Hawaiian sovereignty. Other prominent figures are Jonathan Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, a historian and dean, and Kīhei de Silva, an expert in Hawaiian poetry and composition. The school has also been home to esteemed kumu hula (hula masters) and practitioners of native science, contributing to its interdisciplinary strength.

Campus and facilities

The school is primarily housed in Hawaiinuiākea, a modern facility located on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus. This building features dedicated spaces for Hawaiian language instruction, a hālau (hula school) for dance practice, and specialized labs for audio-visual preservation of oral histories. The campus also includes the Hale Kuamoʻo Hawaiian Language Center, which develops curricular materials. Its location in Mānoa Valley is significant, situated near historic sites and in proximity to other cultural institutions like the East-West Center.

Community engagement and outreach

Community engagement is a foundational pillar, with the school maintaining strong ties to Hawaiian homestead communities, charter schools, and cultural practitioners statewide. Outreach programs include Hawaiian language workshops for the public, loʻi kalo (taro patch) restoration projects, and annual events like the Makahiki celebration. The school collaborates extensively with the ʻAha Pūnana Leo language nest schools and supports policy work with entities like the Hawaii State Legislature and the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. These efforts ensure the direct application of academic work to the vitality of Native Hawaiian communities.

Category:University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Category:Indigenous studies Category:Education in Hawaii