Program Requirements

The Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program is a program provided, as mandated by law, through the medium of the state’s official Hawaiian language and community-based culture at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s College of Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani. Core course work for the program begins in the summer; therefore, admittance into the program shall be granted prior to the summer session only.

Kahuawaiola will be of special interest to those planning to teach in Hawaiian medium schools, Hawaiian language and culture programs in English medium schools, and schools serving students with a strong Hawaiian cultural background. All interested persons with a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university with an approved major requiring a minimum of 120 credits, 45 of which are at the 300 level or above, may be accepted if they meet the Hawaiian language and culture course work requirements of the program.

Entrance Requirements

1. Completion of the application packet;
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
3. A major approved by the Academic Studies Division;
4. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the cumulative undergraduate record or from the last 60 semester credits for the undergraduate degree completed;
5. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major.
6. Four years of Hawaiian language with a minimum GPA of 2.75 for the third and fourth years; or permission from the Academic Studies Division based on an evaluation of fluency;
7. Successful completion of HAW 490;
8. Successful completion of one of the following: HWST 111 Hawaiian ʻOhana (3) , HWST 211 Hawaiian Ethnobotany (3) , HWST 213 Hawaiian Ethnozoology (3) ; or permission from the Academic Studies Division based on an evaluation of Hawaiian cultural knowledge and skills;
9. Successful completion of one of the following: HWST 205 Hawaiian Music in Action (2) , KHWS 475 Nā Mele Hula Kahiko (3) , KHWS 476 Nā Mele Hula ʻAuana (3) ; or permission from the Academic Studies Division based on an evaluation of Hawaiian cultural knowledge and skills;
10. 50 hours of (paid or volunteer) teaching experience through the medium of Hawaiian, OR 30 hours of (paid or volunteer) teaching experience through the medium of Hawaiian AND 30 hours of (paid or volunteer) experience in Hawaiian medium curriculum development;
11. Passing scores on the Praxis I exams (reading, writing, and mathematics), AND on Praxis II (Subject Assessments) Content Area Exercises relevant to secondary level licenses which the applicant will seek from the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board;
12. Interview with Kahuawaiola faculty.

Applying to the Program

Applications will be evaluated on submission of the following required documentation in a timely manner:
(Application deadline: 1st December)

1. University of Hawaiʻi Application for Admission (including processing fee);
2. Kahuawaiola Admission Application;
3. Statement of interest;
4. Work Experience Verification form;
5. Three letters of recommendation;
6. Official college/university transcripts (for each post-high institution previously attended);
7. Official Praxis I/II scores.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance near the end of February.

Applicants accepted into the program will be required to complete additional documentation prior to the start of the summer session including, but not limited to, a criminal background check and fingerprinting as required by the state for classroom teaching. For more information, contact the Kahuawaiola office.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from the program is based on the successful completion of the following requirements:

1. 11 required courses:

   • KED 620A Fdns Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (3) or KED 620E Fdns Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (3)
   • KED 621A Lng Arts Hwn & Indig Medium Ed (2) or KED 621E Lng Arts Hwn & Indig Medium Ed (2)
   • KED 623A Soc Stud Hwn & Indig Medium Ed (2) or KED 623E Soc Stud Hwn & Indig Medium Ed (2)
   • KED 625A Phys Ed Hwn & Indig Medium Ed (1) or KED 625E Phys Ed Hwn & Indig Medium Ed (1)
   • KED 626A Science Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (2) or KED 626E Science Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (2)
   • KED 627A Math in Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (2) or KED 627E Math in Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (2)
   • KED 628A Arts in Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (1) or KED 628E Arts in Hawn & Indig Medium Ed (1)
   • KED 641A Hawn & Indig Medium Fld Exp I (9) or KED 641E Hawn & Indig Medium Fld Exp I (9)
   • KED 642A Hawn & Indig Med Fld Exp I Sem (3) or KED 642E Hawn & Indig Med Fld Exp I Sem (3)
   • KED 643A Hawn & Indig Medium Fld Exp II (9) or KED 643E Hawn & Indig Medium Fld Exp II (9)
   • KED 644A Hwn & Indig Med Fld Exp II Sem (3) or KED 644E Hwn & Indig Med Fld Exp II Sem (3)

2. Minimum grade of 3.0 in all teacher training courses requiring grades.