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Kekuhikuhipuʻuoneonāaliʻiokohala Haililani Kanahele
Birthplace/Hometown:
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
High School:
GED
UHM Degrees:
PhD in Political Science with focus in Indigenous Politics
Current Occupation(s):
Graduate Research Assistant
What inspires the path for your academic major?
The immediate reason for my being in higher education is to be a worthy grandchild to all of my grandparents. I initially pursued history and indigenous politics so that I could articulate the world that I live in. Now that I am in the program, I have developed a new passion for the proliferation of Hawaiian and Indigenous literature and media.
What are your future goals in your work?
I have three clear goals I am currently pursuing in my work. My first goal is to become a teacher at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in either History or Hawaiian Studies. I have a dream to grow the Hawaiian Studies program at Hilo just as the Hawaiians before me have worked to do. My second professional goal is to be useful to Hālau o Kekuhi, my family hula hālau in Keaukaha, Hilo. And my third goal is to continuously create. Whether the creation be mele, hula, writings, or art, I dream of being a continuous creator who will inspire others to create.
We believe that at the heart of a Hawaiian place of learning is aloha ʻāina: the constant care for and reciprocation with Hawaiʻi’s people, places and practices.” How do you see your time at UH shaping the way you aloha ʻāina?
The University of Hawaiʻi is shaping the way that I identify as an aloha ʻāina. It has solidified my ideal that aloha ʻāina cannot be a label, but a way of life. It has convinced me of the power of truly living what I preach.
What does UHM as a Hawaiian place of learning mean to you?
The University being a Hawaiian Place of Learning to me is a motto of aspiration. While we do provide students with the opportunity to take Hawaiian courses, I believe there are many pushes we still need to make in order to achieve the motto. I think the power of such a strong motto is the ability it gives us as UH students and employees to continuously strive for a better future.
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