Our Journey
This journey can be examined by using the Kaʻao: A Framework for Transformation, a Hawaiian cultural pedagogy developed by Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō, Director of Hawaiian Culture and Protocols Engagement for Hawaiʻi Community College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and an alumni of UH Hilo. Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao is the platform that supports the implementation of Kaʻao across the UH system.
Our Hua, or dream, was explored in listening sessions, the strategic planning summit, and in other settings where we shared what drew each of us to UH Hilo, why our work is important, and what makes us feel most alive at UH Hilo. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and other stakeholders have dreamed and invested themselves in the university to impact student growth and success.
Our Ha‘alele, or preparation, started with pre-planning, extensive listening sessions, and continued when Chancellor Irwin joined the UH Hilo ‘ohana. Groundwork was put in place, with key positions filled and many discussions had. This was a period of exploration, learning, and preparation for the next steps.
Our Huaka‘i, or journey, is our day-to-day advancement including the challenges that we navigate while collaborating, learning, and making progress toward our vision for UH Hilo. We face challenges that motivate us to reimagine UH Hilo as we move forward together as a campus.
Our Ho‘ina, or service, is this plan’s initiatives and actions that bring value to the community and the world. When asking the campus community about the importance of the work they do, we hear about quality teaching and research, building connections with the community, empowering students, and helping to close the gap of access to education. This is our kuleana, how UH Hilo will help drive transformation for students, campus, community, and beyond.
Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao, composed of representatives of each campus, is a presidential appointed work committee tasked with developing, implementing and assessing strategic actions to make the University of Hawaiʻi a leader in indigenous education. The phrase means "Hawaiʻi Foundations of Enlightenment/Knowledge." The deeper application of this name is cosmogonic, for in the name is Papahānaumoku (Papa) and Wākea (reflected in his Ao form), original parents of Hawaiʻi Consciousness.
