Summary of proposed MA in Hawaiian Language and Literature

December 1 3, 2004

Contacts: Kaliko Baker, Ron Solis
Spalding 454
x63555

Current Program

  1. Fall 2004: 47 classes were offered, at least 15 of which were being taught by proposed graduate faculty.
  2. The 2004 Catalogue lists 12 faculty with expertise in Hawaiian
  3. Total enrollment in HAW courses (Fall 2004) = 674
    1. 296 in 100 level courses
    2. 182 in 200 level courses
    3. 98 in 300 level course, and
    4. 98 in 400 level courses.
  4. Graduates (BA)
    1. 16 in 2002-3
    2. 10 in 200l-2
    3. 11 in 2000-1
    4. 7 in 1999-0
    5. 12 in 1998-9

Proposed MA in Hawaiian Language and Literature

  1. Objectives:
    1. Provide trained Hawaiian scholars to the community
    2. Create Hawaiian scholarship in new domains
    3. Provide the framework and preparation for using the language resources located on O'ahu
    4. Strengthen and expand the understanding and use of various styles of Hawaiian
    5. Develop curriculum for teacher training
    6. Provide support to graduate students in related fields
    7. Create new literature in Hawaiian
    8. Integrate new technology into the curriculum
  2. Program justification.
    1. By far the greatest demand for this program comes from students and faculty. UHM has the largest faculty and student population of the University's system, as well as the greatest number of Native Hawaiians. It also has the largest population of scholars in Hawaiian, including both faculty and students.
    2. The Constitution of the State of Hawai'i (amended and in force January, 2000) states that English and Hawaiian shall be the official languages of Hawai'i (Article XV, Section 4) and that the State shall provide for a Hawaiian education program consisting of language, culture, and history in the public schools (Article X, Section 4). Similarly, the University of Hawai'i System Strategic Plan (Office of the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2002) clearly states that the University must recognize the important role it performs for Native Hawaiians by actively preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, language, and values. This includes ensuring adequate funding and providing for the study of the Hawaiian language, culture, and history within the University system.
    3. There is no other place in the world better suited for the advanced study of Hawaiian.
    4. The Hawaiian language is an endangered language. The survival of the language is a vital component of the welfare of the Hawaiian people. Currently, study of the language at UHM is now limited to a four-year baccalaureate degree program. Students who wish to continue their study of the Hawaiian language beyond the BA have few options:
      1. the MA offered in Hilo, which is for many students is neither socially nor economically feasible;
      2. the MA in Linguistics or Polynesian religions, which are only tangentially related; and
      3. graduate study in an unrelated field, while attempting to continue study of Hawaiian on their own.
    5. Advanced research is needed in order for the Hawaiian language to expand into new domains that have emerged since the language was suppressed in 1896. Research and new literary works are vital components of the reestablishment of Hawaiian as a language.

    6. There is a community need for trained individuals that this program can produce.

      Examples include:

      1. The daily broadcast of Ke Aolama, the Hawaiian language newscast.
      2. The Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian medium public schools) teachers
      3. The growing Kula Kaiapuni program continually suffers from a lack of curriculum materials.
      4. Continued instruction in Hawaiian at the University level.
      5. Other graduate programs at UHM will be supported by this proposed program, especially the proposed MA in Hawaiian Studies.
  3. Rationale
    1. UHM is the most appropriate academic venue to support the continuation and growth of Hawaii's indigenous language. The necessary resources, faculty, and student demand are all here.
      1. Students would have ready access to the specialized, comprehensive Hawaiian collection at Hamilton Library, the Hawai'i State Archives, the Bishop Museum library and archives, the Hawaiian Historical Society archives, the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society archives and library, and the Hawaiian language audio and visual materials in the University's Language Learning Center and the Wong Audio Visual Center at Sinclair Library.
      2. The recently established Mary Kawena Pukui Hale Center for the Survival and Promotion of Hawaiian is at Manoa.
      3. In a recent survey conducted by the Hawai'i language program in Spring 2004, 128 of 279 total participants stated that they are interested in enrolling in a Hawaiian language MA program.
      4. There are approximately 1,500 students of Hawaiian ancestry at the Manoa Campus. The Hawaiian Language section has over 60 classified majors, and total student enrollments of nearly 800 per semester in Hawaiian language courses alone.
  4. Proposed Degree: MA in Hawaiian Language and Literature
    1. Plan A (Thesis) and Plan B (non-Thesis)
    2. Admission:
      1. 18 units upper division Hawaiian, including HAW 402 (Fourth Level Hawaiian) or equivalent
      2. Statement of objectives (in Hawaiian)
      3. 3 letters of recommendation
      4. Written and oral exam
      5. Interview
    3. Program - 33 credits
      1. Up to 9 credits may be taught in a language other than Hawaiian.
      2. Core Requirements:
        1. HAW 601 Kakau Mo'olelo (Hawaiian Literature) (R)
        2. HAW 602 Kaka'olelo (Oral Performance) (R)
        3. HAW 603 Papa Makau Noi'i (Research Methods) (R)
        4. HAW 615 Ke Kuana'ike (World View) (R)
      3. Plan A
        1. 6 credits of HAW 700
        2. Thesis must be in Hawaiian
        3. 6 units of electives taught in Hawaiian
      4. Plan B
        1. HAW 695. Students must choose the internship/haumana relationship win a manaleo (native speaker), kupuna (elder), or other cultural practitioner where the student will observe, learn, participate, and document the expert.
        2. Nine units of electives taught in Hawaiian
    4. Three foci or curricula areas
      1. Mo'olelo - Hawaiian History and Literature
        1. HAW 425 Mo'olelo Hawai'i Hawaiian History (L)
        2. HAW 426 Ka'ao Hawai'i Hawaiian Folklore (L)
        3. HAW 428 Ka 'Olelo Kakai'aina a Politika Hawai'i' Hawaiian Politics (L)
        4. HAW 435 (Alpha) Problems in Transition (L)
        5. HAW 484 Hawaiian Poetry (L)
        6. HAW 485 Haku Hanakeaka Play Writing (L)
        7. HAW 635 Unuhi Palapala Translating Hawaiian Documents
        8. HAW 638 Na Mea Kakau/Na Haku Mo'olelo Hawaiian Authors (R)
        9. HAW 684 Papa Mele, Poetry composition (R)
      2. Kumu Kula Kaiapuni - Teaching Hawaiian
        1. HAW 463 Language of the Classroom (L)
        2. HAW 466 Kuleana Kula Kaiapurni Rights and Responsibilities of Hawaiian Immersion (L)
        3. HAW 470 Ho'omohala Ha'awina Kaiapurni Curriculum Development (L)
        4. HAW 471 Teaching in Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs (L)
        5. HAW 490 Ka Makau 'Olelo A'o Kula Kaiapuni Language Training for Immersion Teachers (L)
        6. HAW 660 Introduction to Education Research (R)
      3. Kalao'olelo - Linguistic analysis of Hawaiian
        1. HAW 452 Structure of Hawaiian (L)
        2. HAW 454 History of the Hawaiian Language (L)
        3. LING 414 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
        4. LING 615 The Nature of Language
        5. HAW 652 Pilina 'Olelo (Grammar) (R)
  5. Potential demand
    1. 10-15 students initially
    2. 5-15 thereafter
  6. Resources
    1. Eight new graduate courses are proposed.*
    2. Funds for 3 new assistant professors has been received, 2 have already been hired.
    3. Currently negotiating for 12 TAs
    4. The Dean has promised that sufficient funds for lectures will be provided so that the faculty can offer the necessary graduate courses.
    5. A bi-lingual secretary has been requested
  7. Proposed Graduate Faculty
    1. Emily Hawkins, PhD,
    2. Sam No'eau Warner, PhD,
    3. Marvin Puakea Nogelmeier, PhD,
    4. Naomi Noelanioko'okau Losch, and
    5. Professor Emeritus Rubellite Johnson.
  8. Other Hawaiian language faculty currently enrolled in doctoral programs:
    1. Christopher Kaliko Baker, PhD Candidate in Linguistics
    2. Katrina Kapa'anaokalaokeola Oliveira, ABD, Geography
    3. Kerry Laiana Wong, ABD, Linguistics, and
    4. Ron Kekeha Solis, Instructor, PhD Candidate in Education
  9. Proposed Cooperating Graduate Faculty
    1. Lilikala Kame'eleohiwa - Center for Hawaiian Studies
    2. Jonathan Osorio - Center for Hawaiian Studies
    3. G. Terry Kanalu Young - Center for Hawaiian Studies
    4. Noenoe Silva - Political Science
    5. Margaret Maaka - Education
    6. John Chariot - Religion
    7. Joan Hon - Hamilton Library
    8. Michael Forman - Linguistics
  10. Assessment
    1. Rate of published theses and research
    2. Placement of graduates
    3. Community impact

(R) - Proposals received
(L) - Listed in 2004-5 catalog
* - The classes common to all graduate programs, 500, 695, 699, and 700 will be created once the program is approved.