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KULEANA TO NATIVE HAWAIIANS & HAWAI‘I

We have a responsibility to create a future grounded in Hawaiian values and knowledge

The University of Hawai‘i offers opportunity and hope for every resident of Hawai‘i. As the sole provider of public higher education in the state, UH drives a more vibrant, sustainable, resilient, just and kind future across our islands. And our scholarship must address the opportunities and challenges of Hawai‘i, the Pacific and our planet.

We want the university to be grounded in traditional Hawaiian values, in aloha, to create a strong sense of place. UH can be a model for what it means to be an Indigenous-serving and Indigenous-centered institution where Native Hawaiians thrive, traditional Hawaiian values and knowledge are embraced, and UH scholarship and service advance all Native Hawaiians and Hawai‘i.

As we learn, we will grow, creating opportunities for interdependent cultural, scientific and economic vibrancy. Our expertise and journey of learning and serving will be shared across Hawai‘i, with our Pacific ‘ohana and throughout the planet. Sustaining and supporting Hawaiian language, culture and people makes us all stronger.

Indigenous practices for modern solutions

This campaign will identify opportunities for all 10 campuses to collaborate on how Indigenous practices might guide the way to solving the problems we face now and in the future.

Opportunities for growth include:

UH Hilo: Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, the only place in the nation where students can earn a master’s degree in Indigenous language studies
UH Mānoa: Hawai‘inuiākea School for Hawaiian Knowledge, the only college of Indigenous knowledge in a Research I institution in the U.S., and Hawaiian language theater
Leeward CC: Kipuka Native Hawaiian Center and Wai‘anae Moku Education Center
Hawai‘i CC: I Ola Hāloa Center for Hawai‘i Life Styles
Repairing cultural inequities and applying Hawaiian knowledge to healthcare through programs like the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity, which advances community-centered ancestral and cultural practices to improve health for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations through research initiatives, policy strategies and economic development initiatives
Offering bridge programs built on Hawaiian values, such as Paipai o Ko‘olau, Lunalilo Scholars and the Wai‘ale‘ale Project
Cultivating native plant gardens at Lyon Arboretum, ‘Imiloa and Kapi‘olani CC
Finding solutions for today’s challenges in managing water using the knowledge of the past
Advancing cultural, linguistic and environmental preservation efforts
Bringing Hawaiian values and a strong sense of place to all UH campuses

We are Hawai‘i’s university. Systemwide, we embrace our cultural heritage and welcome partnerships for advancing Native Hawaiian knowledge — for UH and for Hawai‘i.

NHOs invest in UH to support Native Hawaiian students, communities

More than two dozen Native Hawaiian Organizations have given to UH, with Alakaʻina Foundation and The Hawaiʻi Pacific Foundation taking the lead.

First fellowship awarded for Hawaiian language graduate student at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

This new fellowship has been established through the generosity of the Makuakane ʻohana to support graduate students toward completion of the research and writing phase of their masters thesis and doctoral dissertation.