UH Hilo Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani holds ʻAha Hoʻomoloa ceremonies for graduates
At ʻAha Hoʻomoloa ceremonies, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani graduates received their kīhei and were adorned with lei that they, or someone significant to them, made.
By Staff/UH Hilo Stories.
The Hawaiian language college at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo celebrated their spring 2025 graduates with two ceremonies, one for undergraduates and one for graduate students.
“We call our ceremonies the ʻAha Hoʻomoloa,” says Kaʻiu Kimura, director of Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani. “That is where they receive their kīhei, a hand dyed cloth that is presented to the students in recognition of the completion of their program of study.”
Kīhei are placed over one shoulder and tied in a knot.
“They are also adorned with a lei that either they, or someone significant to them, made,” adds Kimura.
Joining the graduates for the ceremonies held at Haleʻōlelo were members of their ʻohana, UH Hilo leadership, college faculty and staff, and others who supported the student’s journeys.
The undergraduate ʻAha Hoʻomoloa Ceremony was held May 7 and included bachelors and minors of Hawaiian studies and also linguistics, and certificates in Hawaiian studies.
The graduate ʻAha Hoʻomoloa Ceremony was held on May 16 and included those who have earned master of arts in Indigenous language and culture education and certificates in Kahuawaiola Indigenous teacher education.
