Born and raised on Maui, Kekoa Harman, an associate professor of Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian language at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, recalls his ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) journey beginning in the seventh grade at his alma mater, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Growing up, Harman learned many Hawaiian chants and songs, which propelled him to learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, to gain a better understanding.
“I was especially interested in hula,” Harman said. “[That] inspired me to learn the language further so that I could understand what I was chanting, what I was singing, and what I was dancing about.”
After high school, he continued Hawaiian language at then Maui Community College and earned an associate in arts degree. Hungry for more, Harman came to UH Hilo, which continues to be recognized for its crucial role in the revitalization and advancement of Hawaiian language. He would go on to secure a BA in Hawaiian studies and MA in Indigenous language and culture education and doctorate in philosophy in Hawaiian and Indigenous language and culture revitalization.
Much more than a degree
The Maui native now calls Keaʻau home and is thankful to be a kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at UH Hilo’s Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language. He recognizes teaching Hawaiʻi’s mother tongue extends much farther than the Hilo campus.
“This is a large community when we talk about the Hawaiian language movement, when we look at the preschool all the way up to the college level right here in East Hawaiʻi. We are a part of something that’s much more than just a degree or a Hawaiian language course. We are part of a movement, part of a community,” Harman said.
Harman is UH Hilo’s representative for Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao, a program tasked to create activities in support of UH being a leader in Indigenous education across all 10 campuses across the UH system. Heʻs also a member of the Hanakahi Council—a campus-based group of faculty and staff who are Native Hawaiian or associated with Native Hawaiian programs. In this role, he hopes to promote Native Hawaiian culture and language on campus.
For more go to UH Hilo Stories.
—By Nāpua Iolana Bicoy
