Aupuni Palapala is an education professional development office that seeks to increase knowledge and implementation of Hawaiian values, language, culture and history within Hawaiʻi Department of Education classrooms across ko Hawaiʻi paeʻāina by providing, presenting, and promoting culturally relevant professional development.
We help educators get connected through providing opportunities to learn from community leaders, members, and advocates of Hawaiian values, language, culture, and history. Please consider joining us for some of our sessions through visiting our courses menu. There are registration links and more provided.
Dr. Eōmailani K. Kukahiko
Aloha e nā hoa kumu, ʻo au kēia ʻo Eōmailani Keonaonalikookalehua Kukahiko no Waimānalo, Oʻahu. He ʻehā aʻu keiki a he limahana au ma ke kulanui ʻo Hawaiʻi ma Mānoa ma ke keʻena Kurikulama. Nui koʻu aloha i ka hoʻonaʻauao ma o ka ʻike Hawaiʻi. He nui nō hoʻi koʻu mahalo i ke ala e lilo ai au i kumu kaiapuni. E kūpaʻa au i ke aloha o ka ʻāina, ke one hānau hoʻi o koʻu mau kūpuna. Read More
“This opportunity just helped me see how important education is to understand identity and connection to place…
… I just really appreciated what Noelani shared about her views on education and how young people need to understand culture, language, and history in order to change the world. There was a lot to take in and think about for myself. I want to learn more about the Hawaiian culture and how to bridge that into the classroom knowing that I am not a kanaka but someone who was born and raised here. I want to encourage those who are kanaka to learn more about their culture and perpetuate it…”
Cody Arashiro, 2021
“A disconnection to 'āina is a source of imbalance. Therefore, finding opportunities for students to be connected to 'āina like listening to nature or feeling the wind would help with problem students.
The triangle of Hawaiian Health Kanaka, 'aina, and akua is a poignant opportunity to teach Hawaiian values and cultural anthropology.”
James Bright, 2021
“Keep the conversation going to connect all haumana to their heritage. Especially kane/keikikane…
This presentation [Book Club: Native Men Remade with Ty Kāwika Tengan] has helped me understand cultural differences and yet similarities. We need to share how wonderful this program is for all educators, parents and communities.”
Pohai Kirkland, 2020
“I loved that values, language, culture and history are all wrapped into this program.
Considering all these aspects are allowing us to see many perspectives and not be tunnel visioned! Our haumana need to learn from all directives in order to become well rounded 21st century learners with the ike of our kupuna embedded into the events we are experiencing.”
Jenny De Silva Stevens, 2020
“I learned about ʻuala from kumu who openly and lovingly share their 'ike and experiences.
It's a reminder of the importance of learning together and sharing with one another, too.
If I had a class and garden, I think the process of planting and tending to the ʻuala would be a great way to learn how to nurture the plant's growth and therefore, your own wellness, too.”
Hope Espinda, 2020
“Ilima was a wonderful presenter. She spoke plainly and powerfully about Hawaiian identity and how salient the lessons of the past are to our modern times.
I would love to utilize this book [Hawaiʻiʻs Story By Hawaiʻiʻs Queen Liliʻuokalani] with my students and I really saw the value of black out poetry as a processing activity.”
Kainoa Kaulukukui-Narikawa, 2021
