When Chinoko Shirakura walks into her classroom at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she carries more than just lesson plans and textbooks—she brings with her a passion rooted in identity, heritage and connection. Shirakura is UH Mānoa’s newest Thai language lecturer and is focused on helping students rediscover their roots and build cultural bridges.
Born and raised in Thailand to a Thai mother and Japanese father, Shirakura grew up in a multicultural household where language was more than a means of communication.
“I realized early on that language wasn’t just words. It’s a way of understanding daily life, of connecting to people,” she said. “Even casual conversations carry culture.”
Discovering her passion
That understanding deepened after moving to Hawaiʻi in August 2024. Shirakura is currently pursuing a master’s in multicultural education at UH Mānoa, a two-year program that she said allows her to immediately apply what she learns to her own teaching.
Upon moving to Hawaiʻi, friends and colleagues encouraged her to share casual Thai phrases.
“I’d see how excited they got when they understood something, even just simple phrases,” she said. “That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue this seriously.”
Currently, Shirakura teaches Thai 101 and Thai 202 to students who tested into the higher level, with plans to expand to Thai 102 next semester.
“For many students, learning Thai is a way to reconnect with their heritage. I’ve seen students light up when they realize they can now communicate with their grandparents,” Shirakura said. “That’s when I knew I wasn’t just teaching vocabulary—I was helping them find part of themselves.”
This fall, Shirakura’s students are also launching a Thai language club, a student-led initiative that reflects the growing interest and enthusiasm for the program.
The Thai language program is housed in the UH Mānoa Indo Pacific Languages and Literatures department.
