Hoʻihoʻi Hou: A Tribute to George Helm & Kimo Mitchell

March 5, 2021 with ʻĀina Paikai ʻĀina Paikai helped us see that Hawaiʻi has excellent examples of people who own their identities and use their individual power to make positive change happen. His recollection of his journey with making his film and how this book, along with a wide range of research, was used as a foundation for helping a well needed and powerful story come alive. George Helmʻs story, the story of the Helm ʻOhana, and the issues surrounding Kahoʻolawe, was so powerful to discuss, we really felt like George was honored in this space. Not only that, but this session showed us how we might engage students in learning to tell storyʻs of their own. 

Quotes from Participants

“I definitely want students to watch the film and discuss.  We are working on using something called p4c where students use question circles and collaborative conversations to engage in the activity of philosophy.  Majority of the student populationʻs have military backgrounds and I think that watching the film would show them another perspective. “ - Jenna Hirayama

The Seeds We Planted: Portraits of a Native Hawaiian Charter School

February 5, 2021 / Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua shared so much framework and philosophy behind the context of the text and even what she sees as we move forward. She really got us to think about curriculum and the structures we either comply, support, or disagree with in our own experiences. This session had us thinking about the courage it takes to stand for an education that is supportive of ideals like aloha ʻāina, ea,  and a further thriving presence of ʻike Hawaiʻi. We are so thankful to have had this session with Dr Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, but more so we want to extend our deepest respect for an example of educational progress that we all needed in order to rethink the way education in Hawaiʻi is built, structured, presented, and assessed. Recorded Session

Quote From Participant

“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 just 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 kanakas to learn more about their culture and perpetuate it.  I need to do the same with my own ethnic cultures as well.” - Cody Arashiro

Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen

January 8, 2021 / ʻIlima Long (Facilitator) Mahalo to Ilima Long for an insightful meeting and further interpretation of what this book and Queen Liliʻuokalani means to us as a resource in contemporary times. Her understanding of Hawaiian identity and development through our shared history and trauma gave this book club session depth we did not expect.  Her sharing of how this resource can apply to our classrooms today as well as her strategies in helping students process the material they consume was so helpful in getting us to see actions we can take immediately. We hope to have her back at a future event to share more of her manaʻo on the brilliance and strength of our leaders as they persevered through challenging times. Recorded Session

Quotes from Participants

• “Just talking about the history of Hawaii and talking about the ramifications of this. I love when Ilima said we all have a legacy and we come from excellence. There is a responsibility for each student to carry their own legacy and learn about it. Stories are powerful and give us a sense of place, identity and belonging. I think just allowing my students time in class to share their life stories and mana'o will really create an amazing classroom culture. I have heard about Blackout Poetry but have never used it in my class but want to try it now. “ - Cody Arashiro

• “Recently we've been trying to see how can we integrate more perspectives in the classroom.  At Mōkapu, many students have not heard/learned about Hawaiian culture/Hawaiian history (if they were in 4th grade they go over it briefly) and I feel like a book study about this book would open doors for them.  Not only will they learn a new perspective and they will see Hawai'i differently.” - Jenna Hirayama

• “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 with my students and I really saw the value of black out poetry as a processing activity. “ - Kainoa Kaulukukui-Narikawa

Reclaiming Kalākaua: Nineteenth-Century Perspectives on a Hawaiian Sovereign

November 6, 2020 with Tiffany Lani Ing This session with Dr Tiffany Ing was one of enlightenment. The theme of “reclamation” was evident in this discussion and it brought to light how we can go through our own reclamation as a Hawaiian people. One pertinent piece of advice was to take the time to learn our language and consult the pages of Hawaiian newspapers. While there are many resources in english language about Hawaiian people, Dr Ing taught us to question how much of that is from the perspective of Hawaiians? Can you really learn about a person, or a people, if you do not consult the information generated from their perspective? We think not. Luckily, the Hawaiian language is free to learn and the resources are numerous. We encourage everyone to get a copy of Reclaiming Kalākaua, it is a fine example of how future scholars can bring balance to the narrative of Hawaiian people.  Recorded Session

Quotes from Participants

• “I love how you [Dr Ing] shared about your research process and how much information you were able to uncover.  Not only did we learn about  Kalakaua's amazing life but how your experience shifted your opinion on education/our people.  Definitely an eye opener!” - Jenna Hirayama

• “It's a great to have another way to frame and talk about ali'i. To see them as complex people!” - Kainoa Kaulukukui-Narikawa

• “As a 4th grade teacher, my students are exposed to the history of Hawai'i for the first time.  Tiffany's passion for research and dedication to sharing the "truth" has inspired me to do more of my own research…” -Trisha Kodama

Native Men Remade: Gender and Nation in Contemporary Hawaiʻi

October 2, 2020 with Ty P. Kāwika Tengan This session with Professor Tengan has been an enlightening journey in engaging with the moʻolelo of lived experiences by our Hawaiian men. His collection and analysis of the individuals and groups that are key to the revitalization of native masculine identity is one for every book shelf and more importantly every classroom. He offers great insight into the journey every Hawaiian man takes in overcoming their “dislocations” rooted in our shared colonial history. Mahalo nui e Professor Tengan. Recorded Session

Quotes from Participants:

• “My majority of my students come from families with military backgrounds, many of their fathers aren't home for long periods and so they are looking for male role models.  Something I want to try in the classroom is to make sure share male role models and create a safe space for students to talk about their emotions/feelings. We can bring different community partners to discuss and talk with the students.”  - Jenna Hirayama

• “I would want to provide opportunities for our students to learn what it means to be a Hawaiian man in today's society.   As these men step up and learn more of their role, it brings public awareness so we can encourage these men to be the Hawaiian men that they need to be.  The stories that were shared shows how we can help implement more Hawaiian values, language and culture into our classroom.” - Hilliary Pilialoha

• “Keep the converstion going to connect all haumana to their heritage. Especially kane/keikikane. This presentation 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