About
MO‘OKŪ‘AUHAU
Kamakakūokalani, meaning "upright eye of heaven", serves as a metaphor for the Hawaiian Studies program’s higher mission of seeking truth and knowledge. Kamakakūokalani, its faculty, classes, and program, represents Hawaiian perspectives and knowledge within the larger academy. Thus, most courses are distinctive and taught nowhere else in the world as originality is a hallmark of the curriculum.
Kamakakūokalani is committed to representing Native Hawaiian perspectives including self-determination and honoring the thousands of Hawaiians who more than a hundred years ago signed the Kū‘ē petition opposing and protesting the proposed annexation by the United States. The mandate of these kūpuna and their leaders to their descendants is to “Onipa‘a” to forever stand fast for and continue in the pathways of the ancestors, to strive to retain a sense of Hawaiian national identity and seek reclamation of Hawaiian ‘āina and sovereignty over our homeland. Kamakakūokalani provides “Education for the Nation,” empowering students’ identities and preparing them to lead Hawai‘i into a future in which Native Hawaiian people, their world views and their practices will be represented and sustained through practice by ever succeeding generations.
History
Commencing in 1977, the Kamakakūokalani Hawaiian Studies Program received permanent status in 1985 and, in 1987, was established as the Center for Hawaiian Studies in the School of Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Studies (SHAPS). Since 1997, the center has been housed in its own facilities on Dole Street. In 2007, Kamakakūokalani joined with Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai and the Native Hawaiian Student Services Kauhale to form the newly incorporated Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.
"In education, not anger, resides our future. In education, not ignorance, resides our hope. In education, not fear, resides justice."
- Gladys Kamakakūokalani ʻAinoa Brandt
Vision Statement
E ho‘oulu ka ‘imi ‘ike, me ka na‘auao i ke ea o nā Kūpuna.
Kū i ka moku!
Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies inspires academic excellence, cultural integrity and political strength rooted in the Ea of our ancestors.
—Kamakakūokalani Vision Statement (2000)
