The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will kick off its third annual Hawaiʻi Kuʻu Home Aloha (HKHA) event on January 17, marking an intentional pause to recognize the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This free, six-day summit invites students, faculty and the community to come together to build pilina—connections—through learning and sharing about Hawaiʻi’s history, present realities, and future aspirations. Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office (NHPoL), the event embodies UH Mānoa’s commitment to becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and its designation as a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation™ Campus Center.
“This event is about fostering deeper pilina—connections—to oneself, to others, especially those we may not have realized we share commonalities with, and to the ʻāina,” said Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, director of Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao. “We hope participants leave with a new or strengthened tool, whether it be storytelling, listening deeply, or writing poetry, to help them continue building those meaningful connections.”
Organizers request that those who plan to attend register online so that they can make preparations for the anticipated numbers.
A summit of reflection, connection and action
HKHA also pays homage to the National Day of Racial Healing and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., reminding participants of the broader imperative to work toward equity and justice in Hawaiʻi and beyond. The event’s name, which translates to “Hawaiʻi, my beloved home,” reflects its mission to foster inclusive connections across communities while preparing a future where Hawaiʻi’s moʻopuna can thrive.
The summit features a wide range of cultural workshops and ʻāina-based activities. Highlights include a ceremony honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani and Martin Luther King Jr. and a special keynote by Native Hawaiian author and veteran politician Norma Wong.
Welcome ceremony
On Wednesday, January 22, HKHA will also include a special Hoʻokuleana ceremony, 9:30–10:45 a.m. on Hawaiʻi Hall lawn to officially welcome and bestow kuleana upon new UH President Wendy Hensel to the Mānoa campus. Traditional protocol will be observed.
