Kahoʻiwai
Centering pilina and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in the representation of Hawaiian knowledge
The vision of Kahoʻiwai is the reclamation of Hawaiian knowledge sovereignty, aiming to actualize Hawaiian-centered autonomy and methods in the stewardship of Hawaiian knowledge. Building upon past work of Ka Wai Hāpai and development of the Hawaiian Knowledge Organization System (HKOS), the University of Hawaiʻi Libraries and its co-creators aim to achieve significant milestones towards advancing the discoverability and accessibility of Hawaiian library and archival materials.
kahawai
Kahoʻiwai translates to the returning waters. Wai (water) is a life-sustaining resource and its value is noted in the ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi word for wealth – waiwai. Where there is water, there is abundance. Like the movements to restore Hawaiʻi’s waterways back to their natural paths, Kahoʻiwai aims to remove obstacles and allow the waiwai and ea of Hawaiian knowledge to flow to the lāhui Hawaiʻi. Kahoʻiwai will focus on the following kahawai or streams:
Kahawai 1: Hawaiian Knowledge Organization System
Kahawai 2: Nūpepa Index
Kahawai 3: Improve description in OCLC
Kahawai 4: Reparative description in the archives
our co-creation process
Co-creation is central to Kahoʻiwai and ensures community and relational accountability while supporting other communities engaged in similar efforts. To prioritize and amplify community voices, we engage both Hawaiian knowledge and metadata experts. Our approach to building and sustaining relationships with our communities is illustrated in the He Mele No Kāne Methodology.
ʻĀina, hana, and moʻokūʻauhau terms
A central component of this work is representing the interconnected nature of Hawaiian knowledge via culturally appropriate and culturally rigorous organization schemas and vocabularies. Ka Wai Hāpai (2021-2024) created over 100 authority records for terms across three domains, and this work continues as part of Kahoʻiwai (2024-2027).
See an error? While our team has strived for 100% accuracy across all dimensions of this website, we acknowledge that mistakes can be made and we, therefore, assume full responsibility for any and all errors which may be present. We would welcome any corrections and/or notes that are sent – please e-mail: shavonn@hawaii.edu.