University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
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Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
School of Hawaiian Knowledge
2540 Maile Way
Spalding 464
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-3562
Fax: (808) 956-5978
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/hshk/

Marvin Nogelmeier, PhD
Graduate Chair
E-mail: puakea@hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 

MA in Hawaiian

 
Graduate Faculty
 

List of Faculty

 
University of Hawai'i Directory
 
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Program Overview | Degree Requirements | Related Program(s)
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty

 
Application Deadlines
 
Contact graduate program before applying for spring admission.
 
Fall Spring
I — March 1
D —March 1
No spring admission
 
I = international applicants
D = U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents
 
 
Admissions Requirements
 

Click here for link to online application or to download paper application. Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions standard and documentation requirements, and
2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation requirements
    (see below).

 
  • 18 upper-division undergraduate credits in Hawaiian and HAW 402, or equivalent
  • graduate program supplemental information form (download form)
  • statement of objectives written in Hawaiian (download form)
  • three letters of recommendation
  • successful passing of a written and oral examination in Hawaiian
  • interview
  • official TOEFL scores — 500/173/61 or above (Required of most non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions.)
 

Submission of Program Specific Documentation Requirements
With the exception of TOEFL and GRE scores, all program specific documentation requirements should be sent directly to the graduate program.

If required, official TOEFL and GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please note that GRE scores may be required by the graduate program (see above) or by the Graduate Division (more info.)

 
 
Program Overview
 

The School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa offers a graduate program leading to the MA in Hawaiian. An integral part of on-going efforts to revitalize Hawaiian as a living language, the MA program strives to provide both breadth and depth in the study of Hawaiian language, culture and literature.

Once flourished as the language of an independent kingdom and an ancient people, Hawaiian has fallen into a state of continuous decline for many generations. The number of speakers dwindled while the social presence and function of the language diminished. Since the "Hawaiian Renaissance" of the 1970s, Hawaiian has begun to regain its status as a living language. The staff, students and alumni of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, in collaboration with native speakers of Hawaiian, are working to revitalize Hawaiian language, culture and literature. Today, a growing community of speakers, academics and supporters utilize Hawaiian as the language of research, education, cultural practice and daily life. The increasing use of Hawaiian has led to the integration of an extensive array of Hawaiian-related resources into contemporary scholarship, culture and society. Some of these resources have been previously untapped for a century or more, while others have been recently developed.

The objectives of the MA program in Hawaiian are as follows:

  • To provide the necessary faculty expertise and methodology for conducting research in Hawaiian.
  • To create scholarship in Hawaiian in new domains, including advanced study of literature.
  • To provide the framework and preparation for using language resources located on O'ahu.
  • To strengthen and expand the understanding and use of various styles of Hawaiian.
  • To develop curriculum and resources and teacher training for Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian medium schools).
  • To provide support to students in graduate programs related to Hawaiian.
  • To create new literature in Hawaiian.
  • To integrate and utilize new technology in the curricula of the program.

Courses are available in the following areas:

  1. Mo‘olelo (Literature and History): This area focuses on Hawaiian history and literature through the analysis, critique, creation and presentation of Hawaiian language resources.
  2. Kumu Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian medium education teacher training): This area focuses on the educational, linguistic and cultural tools that teachers need to perform better in Hawaiian medium schools. Students producing curriculum and developing their own teaching skills will also be able to work closely with the newly established Mary Kawena Pukui Hale: Center for the Survival and Promotion of Hawaiian.
  3. Kālai‘ōlelo (Linguistics): This area focuses on the linguistic analysis of Hawaiian.

These three areas represent the expertise of the graduate faculty, as well as traditional areas of importance for Hawaiian. Courses in additional areas will be offered as the faculty's expertise expands and as more resources become available. Students in the program may take courses from all available areas. However, for the Plan A thesis or the Plan B culminating experience, students will be asked to choose a topic within one of the areas. They may seek assistance from the entire graduate faculty in selecting an appropriate research topic for the thesis or the culminating experience.

Faculty members will endeavor to create an atmosphere in which they work cooperatively with the students to expand the program. Students will be encouraged to work closely with a faculty advisor. They will be required to meet with their advisor at least twice a semester, and to obtain approval signatures before registration.

 
 
Degree Requirements
 

All graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs. For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements for this graduate program.

 

Students may select Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis).

  • Plan A requires 33 credits (including six credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
  • Plan B requires 33 credits of course work and a culminating experience.
  • For both plans, no more than nine credits of electives may be for courses offered in a language other than Hawaiian.

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/haw.htm.

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
Hawaiian studies, Pacific Islands studies
 
 
 

Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Program Overview | Degree Requirements
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty | Related Program(s)

 

© University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Graduate Division

Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8544 Fax: (808) 956-4261
Email: admissions@grad.hawaii.edu

 
2008-04-14
 
This Web site is intended solely to provide general information. The UHM Graduate Division makes no representation and accepts no liability for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of information found in this site. Viewers of this site are advised to contact the appropriate offices for the most up-to-date information.