Connecting Learning, Life and Aloha
‘O ka ‘imi na‘auao, ke ola a me ke aloha kā kākou e huliāmahi ai

Hanakahi Council

Hanakahi Council Charter

On this page:

Vision

We, the Kānaka Maoli, the Native people of Hawaiʻi, are unique by virtue of our ancestral ties to the ʻāina, our history, language, culture, knowledge and spirituality. Hanakahi Council, representing Kānaka Maoli at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, promotes a University committed to the empowerment, advancement and selfdetermination of Kānaka Maoli, through distinctly Hawaiian instruction, research and service. The vision of Hanakahi council is nurturing and sustaining the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a Hawaiian place of learning.

Article 1: Mission, Purpose, and Function

The mission of Hanakahi Council is to advise the UH Hilo Chancellor and Administrators,Faculty, Staff and Students on:

  • Success of Native Hawaiians at UH Hilo;
  • Research with and about Native Hawaiians, culture (language, history, spiritually), and natural resources;
  • Native Hawaiian initiatives (legislative, academic, funding, hiring);
  • Policies and procedures that affect Native Hawaiians;
  • Recruitment, retention and graduation of Native Hawaiian students;
  • Recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion of Native Hawaiian faculty, staff and administrators;
  • Appropriation and distribution of funds for Native Hawaiian initiatives;
  • Appropriate representation of Native Hawaiian culture at UH Hilo;
  • Collaboration with Native Hawaiian community and broader Hawaiʻi island community; and
  • Advocacy for Native Hawaiians in the UH System.

And to represent UH Hilo at the system-wide level as an active member of the Pūkoʻa Council.

Hanakahi Council is a formal, independent voice and organization through which Native Hawaiian faculty, staff, administrators, and students can participate in the development and interpretation of campus-wide policy and practice as it relates to Native Hawaiian programs, activities, initiatives, and issues.

Hanakahi Council:

  1. Works with the campus administration to position the University as one of the world’s foremost indigenous-serving universities.
  2. Promotes the access and success of Native Hawaiian students in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and the increase in representation of Native Hawaiians in all facets of the University.
  3. Encourages and facilitates Native Hawaiian excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, publication, and service in all academic disciplines.
  4. Advocates for fairness and equity in all decisions and resource allocations related to Native Hawaiian programs and services.

Article 2: Organization and Membership

2.1 Hanakahi Council is comprised of Native Hawaiians and those associated with the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as faculty, staff, adjunct faculty, administration, and students who support Hanakahi Council's vision, mission and values.

2.2 Any person who qualifies for membership and who supports the Hanakahi Council’s vision, mission and values may become a general member.

2.3 Hanakahi Council members meet regularly and assume equal responsibility for the work of the Council.

2.4 Hanakahi Council will elect representatives that shall represent Hanakahi at the Pūkoʻa Executive Council.

Article 3: Code of Conduct (Values)

3.1 The Hanakahi Council relies on a process where decisions are made by the council as a whole. As such, this Hanakahi Code of Conduct is adopted to guide the members in their responsibilities to themselves, their colleagues and the group as a whole.

3.2 The following values are adopted to guide Hanakahi Council actions:

  1. Aloha aku, aloha mai. The actions of members of the council shall be founded in respect for each other and for the integrity of the group.

  2. Mālama kekahi i kekahi. Members will conduct themselves in a manner that promotes and sustains the well-being of Hanakahi and its individual members. Members who have greater experience with the group and understanding of its history have the responsibility to mentor others. Each member has the right to speak on behalf of the member’s campus organization with respect for the experience and knowledge of others.

  3. Ma ka hana ka ‘ike. All members should actively engage in the discussion, debate and deliberation of the issues and topics before the Hanakahi Council. Members have a responsibility for seeking positive solutions and accept kuleana for the actions required to realize their outcome. Through active engagement, individual members and Hanakahi as a whole will gain experience, which will build our capacity to deal with future challenges.

  4. Kūlia i ka nu‘u. In continuing the long tradition of our ancestors, Hanakahi strives for excellence in all of its actions.

Article 4: Miscellaneous

4.1 Any matter not covered by this Charter shall be brought before the Hanakahi Council for resolution. This Charter is a living document and shall be reviewed periodically.

4.2 This Charter has been ratified and adopted by the Hanakahi Council on March 11, 2010.