Kīpaepae Executive Committee
Kīpaepae are Hawaiian ceremonies of welcome to our campus & community. Kīpaepae contributes to transforming the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo into a Hawaiian Place of Learning as defined by Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao, the University of Hawaiʻi’s strategic commitment to transforming into a leader in indigenous higher education. Anchored in Hawaiʻi’s ancient traditions, Kīpaepae welcomes and orients our guests to Hawaiʻi the space and the spirit.
On behalf of the office of the chancellors of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College, Kīpaeape are coordinated by the Kīpaepae Executive Committee and facilitated by our community of learners, staff, instructors, administrators, alums, and our community partners.
Committee Members
- Malu Dudoit, Co-Chair (UH Hilo)
- Noʻel K. Tagab-Cruz, Co-Chair (Hawaiʻi CC)
- Pele Kaio (Hawaiʻi CC)
- Kekoa Harman (UH Hilo)
- Hauʻoli Viritua (Hawaiʻi CC)
- Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Assistant Specialist Emerita, Advisor
- Taupōuri Tangarō, Advisor
Types of Kīpaepae
- Welina - General ceremony to orient new personnel and/or visitors to our campus community.
- Hoʻonoho - Induction of personnel into an administrative position.
- Hoʻokuʻu - Release personnel from their obligations to our campus community (i.e., Retirement, New Position, etc.). Hoʻokuʻu also includes commencement ceremonies to release our learners back to their home communities.