Admission Guide: Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization, PhD

Doctorate in Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization

Entry Term: Not accepting applications for Fall 2025- please contact the program for more information on the next Cohort opening.

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Program Description

The Ph.D. in Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization engages candidates in rigorous research in linguistics, language planning, culture, and education that enhances leadership capacity to strengthen language and cultural vibrancy within their communities.

All students in the doctoral program are required to speak an indigenous language - their “language of focus” - and further develop their knowledge of that language in courses that explore the similarities and differences among such languages. In addition, students choose two specializations from among the four systematic fields offered in the program, a) Indigenous Language and Culture Education, b) Indigenous Language and Culture in Society, c) Language Planning, and d) Hawaiian Language and Culture. Thus, students who focus on a non-Hawaiian indigenous language will choose two specializations from areas a), b), and c); students who focus on Hawaiian language may choose among all four areas. A number of possible paths from other universities lead into the doctoral program, including the master’s in Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Languages (including English), and Linguistics.

Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelilkōlani is widely recognized as the leader in indigenous language revitalization in the United States, and indeed the North Pacific Basin. The College is a key part of an overall state government response to long-standing Native Hawaiian political action seeking to provide the choice of education through Hawaiian language at all educational levels. With its preschool to grade 12 laboratory schools (Nā Kula Mauli Ola), KHʻUOK forms a complete P-20 educational system. As such, the College serves as a focal point for the State’s efforts to revitalize the Hawaiian language through teacher training, undergraduate and graduate study of Hawaiian, community outreach, research and testing, use of technology, national and international cooperation, and the development of liberal education in Hawaiian for future generations of Hawaiian speakers.

The mission of the College is to assure the revitalization and continued advancement and growth of the Hawaiian language and mauli ola Hawaiʻi. A thriving Hawaiian language is the means through which the mauli ola Hawaiʻi will once again become commonplace in both traditional and contemporary contexts in Hawaiʻi. The College joins with other Indigenous peoples in the revitalization of their own languages and cultures. Our collective efforts will ensure the furthering of local, national and international initiatives toward establishing language and cultural vibrancy throughout the world.

The Ph.D. in Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization engages candidates in rigorous research in linguistics, language planning, culture, and education that enhances leadership capacity to strengthen language and cultural vibrancy within their communities.

The Ph.D. in Hawaiian and Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization (PHD HILCR) has a unique status within the University of Hawaiʻi system - it is the first doctorate in a Hawaiian Studies field and the first doctorate in the world specific to the growing field of Indigenous language and culture revitalization. The program began with provisional status in 2006 with Hawaiian and other Indigenous candidates and was approved as an established program in 2015.

All students in the doctoral program are required to speak an indigenous language - their “language of focus” - and further develop their knowledge of that language in courses that explore the similarities and differences among such languages.

Application Checklist

• UH Hilo Graduate application form Online
• $50 Application fee paid via credit card when submitting your online application

Note: You do not need to wait to have all components of your application before submitting the application. You are encouraged to submit your application and $50 fee once you have decided to apply. You may return to the online application system to upload your documents and request your letters.

Required Documents to be Uploaded in the Documents Tab of Online Application

• A letter/personal statement requesting admission to the program which describes the applicant’s:
  • academic objectives and research interests;
  • experience in educational service to his or her indigenous language of focus;
  • diversity experience with the contemporary status of an indigenous or threatened language and culture besides the student’s own indigenous language of focus. The social and political environment of this additional language should be different from that of the student’s language of focus.
  • future plans regarding work to revitalize his or her indigenous language and culture.
• Sample of written work
• One Page Essay in language of focus AND English translation (of the essay - not the tape).

Required Documents to be Emailed to the College Directly

• Taped Speech

Email to Kuulei Kepaa: kuulei.kepaa@hawaii.edu

Note: Tape may be digitally recorded. Essay/translation need not be on same topic as taped speech.

Requested in the Recommendations Tab of the Online Application

• 3 professional or academic letters of recommendation
  • Once you request your letters in the electronic system, your letter writers will be sent an email and instructions on how to use the electronic letters of recommendation system.

Sent Directly to the UH Hilo Graduate Division

• Official transcripts sent directly from all non-UH system colleges or universities you have attended.
• Official transcripts from UH system institutions will be pulled via STAR.
• We recommend certified electronic transcripts sent directly from your institution to the UH Hilo Graduate Division- hilograd@hawaii.edu.
• Baccalaureate degree transcripts from international institutions must be submitted to an independent transcript evaluation service.
• Hard Copy transcripts should be mailed to: UH Hilo Graduate Division
  200 W. Kawili Street
  COBE Building, Room 201
  Hilo, HI 96720

For International Applicants

• Baccalaureate degree transcripts from international institutions must be submitted to an independent transcript evaluation service. More information can be found at International Graduate Student Information.
• Official college transcripts in the original language and official translations into English must be provided. To expedite your application, all graduate applicants with international transcripts are required to send the baccalaureate transcript for professional evaluation by one of the credential evaluation services listed on the International Graduate Student Information page.
• Only graduates of accredited universities will be considered for acceptance.
• International Graduate Student Supplemental Information Form/Confidential Financial Statement
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native speakers of English; see Eligibility Criteria), UH Hilo (Code: 4869)

Application Process

The priority application deadline is December 1. Applications received after the priority deadline will only be accepted on a space available basis.

All supporting documents must be uploaded to the UH Application system.

Applications that meet initial requirements will be forwarded to the selection committee for a comprehensive review and consideration for admission into the program. Admission decisions made by the committee will be forwarded to the UH Hilo Graduate Division which sends the final notification to the applicant.

Admission Criteria

1. Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 grade point average in an approved field of study (e.g., Hawaiian Language and Literature, Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Languages, etc).
2. Proficiency in and academic knowledge of the applicant’s indigenous language of focus, as demonstrated by a taped speech and written essay, with English translation. (The level of proficiency and academic knowledge required will depend on the status of the indigenous language, in terms of how endangered it is and how much linguistic description has been done.)
3. A letter requesting admission to the program which describes the applicant’s:
   • academic objectives and research interests;
   • experience in educational service to his or her indigenous language of focus;
   • diversity experience with the contemporary status of an indigenous or threatened language and culture besides the student’s own indigenous language of focus. The social and political environment of this additional language should be different from that of the student’s language of focus.
   • future plans regarding work to revitalize his or her indigenous language and culture.
4. A sample of written work (usually the master’s thesis).
5. Course work of at least 6 credits in general linguistics, linguistic analysis, and socio-linguistics.
6. Complete taped interview either in person or by telephone.
7. Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must focus on the applicant’s background in the language and culture of an indigenous people and service to that indigenous community.
8. For second language speakers of English, passing scores on the TOEFL or other evidence of English fluency.

Transfer of Credits

Up to 12 credit hours may be transferred from an accredited university (if not previously counted toward another degree). Requests for such transfer of credits must be made during the first semester enrolled. Only credit hours with a Grade of “B” or better are transferable. Transfer credits must have been completed within seven years preceding the date upon which the Ph.D. is to be conferred by UH Hilo.

Regardless of any previous graduate experience, a minimum of 24 credit hours must be taken at UH Hilo before a degree can be granted. A maximum of six credit hours earned under courses designated as "thesis" may be counted toward the Graduate Division's minimum residence requirement.

In cases where a graduate student wishes to take graduate coursework elsewhere for transfer credit during their tenure at UH Hilo, the course work must be pre-approved by the student’s primary academic advisor and graduate program chair. Petition for transfer of these credits must be completed within a semester of completion of course work.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from the program is based on the successful completion of the below requirements totaling 29-31 credits, with no grade lower than a “B” and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0:

1. KIND 730 Rsch Meth Hwn Ind Lang Culture (3)
2. Advanced Study of Language of Focus (8):
   • KLAN 701 Semantic/Pragmatic Indig Lang (1)
   • KLAN 702 Stylistics/Domains Indig Lang (1)
   • KLAN 703 Semantics-Prag of Indig Langua (3)
   • KLAN 704 Stylistics-Domain of Indig Lan (3)
3. Additional Language Requirement:
   • Language of focus is Hawaiian: Approved second language equivalent to the 101 level as taught at UH Hilo.
   • Language of focus is other than Hawaiian: Hawaiian equivalent to the 101 level as taught at UH Hilo.
4. Two of Four Areas of Specialization (12-14):
   1. Indigenous Language and Culture Education (6-8):
      • KED 794 Special Topics in Subject Matter in Indigenous Language and Culture Education (3)
   2. Indigenous Language and Culture In Society (6-8):
      • KIND 731 Indig/Minority Autochthonous Lang (3)
      • KIND 732 Lang Policy/Practice Endangered/Ind (3)
      • KIND 733 Hawn and Indig Language Med Ed (3)
      • KIND 794 Special Topics in Subject Matter in Indigenous Language and Culture In Society (3)
   3. Language Planning (6-8):
      • KLIN 794 Special Topics in Subject Matter in Language Planning (3)
   4. Hawaiian Language and Culture (6-8):
      • KHAW 751 Ho‘oikaika ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi (2)
      • KHAW 794 Special Topics in Subject Matter in Hawaiian Language and Culture (3)
      • KHWS 741 Classical Hwn Ed: Gen Hwn Cult (3)
      • KHWS 794 Special Topics in Subject Matter in Hawaiian Language and Culture (3)

5. Up to six semester credits (or equivalent) at another accredited university in courses pre-approved by the program chair and transfer the credits to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in place of any of the listed program courses.
6. Completion of all graduate courses with a grade no lower than “B.”
7. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination consisting of oral and/or written questions.
8. Submission and approval of a portfolio which documents the student’s work to improve public opinion and/or government policy concerning the revitalization of the student’s language and culture of focus. The portfolio may include newspaper or periodical articles or oral presentations aimed at the student’s indigenous community or the larger public; it may include written material or oral testimony given at government forums concerned with indigenous language and culture revitalization.
9. KIND 800 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1–6) (V) *minimum 6 credits; successful completion of a dissertation; and final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.

For more information, please contact