Tihani Arbogast

Ms. Terry

Senior Seminar

22 November 2018

Kākoʻo i ka mōʻaukala - Sustain the History

The Hawai’i Department of Education has failed to understand the importance of

teaching Hawaiian history and culture in our high schools. Instead of teaching us about the place

we live and the history, we have to learn about World War one and two multiple times. Majority

of high school students in Hawai’i do not get the chance to learn about the Hawaiian culture and

the history that comes with it. Hawaiian studies and cultural practices are more important for

high schools to teach than world history. In order to maintain traditions and keep the Hawaiian

culture alive, the younger generation needs to understand what their kuleana is.

There are only a handful of high schools across the state that require or offer Hawaiian

studies classes. With the lack of classes, students go to Hawaiian clubs in order to get some

hands on learning about the culture. Clubs are a great and fun way for students to learn Hawaiian

culture surrounded by peers with the same interest. They are also very successful when there is a

mentor who has lots of experience in Hawaiian culture. While clubs are beneficial, students learn

more of the real history aspect from actual classes.

The Hawaiian culture has gone through a lot throughout history. At one point speaking

Hawaiian and dancing hula was banned. However, things finally started to turn around in 1978
when the State Constitutional Convention passed Article X, Section 4: “The State shall promote

the study of Hawaiian culture, history and language…in the public schools. The use of

community expertise shall be encouraged as suitable and essential means in the furtherance of

the Hawaiian educational program.” This shows that public schools have the freedom to do

Hawaiian classes, but many of them are put on the backburner, and administrators don’t push the

classes. Students who care about Hawaiian history and culture have limited resources that should

be provided for them. With more Hawaiian studies classes offered, students will get to learn

more about the history in depth.

Learning about the Hawaiian culture and history has many benefits for students later in

life. Getting involved in the community and showing your desire to learn about the culture will

get you great opportunities with different organizations. The Lei of Aloha organization takes

students who are dedicated to the Hawaiian culture, and work with the Kimokeo foundation

around the world to present a mile long ti leaf lei after tragedy. They have been to Florida, New

Zealand and many other places around the world. Former Kihei Charter high school students

have been a part of this experience as well. This is just one of the many ways learning about the

culture has benefits for high school students.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, many argue that it is important to study World

history. The benefits of studying world history include having a basic understanding of the

worlds past and how things have changed overtime. You don’t want to be the one person who

doesn’t know about world war one or the attack on 9-11. Also, studying history helps people
understand where their ancestors came from. High school students in Hawai’i generally like to

express where their family is from and how they belong in Hawai’i. Since Hawai’i is such a

melting pot of cultures, understanding the history of the world is beneficial because no one

country has the same history and there are many things we can learn from studying the past.

However, high school students who get involved with learning about the history and

culture have great material to put on resumes. World history won’t get you the same

opportunities that Hawaiian history and culture will get you. Employers like to see that

candidates have personal experience and knowledge about our island. This is especially helpful

in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. Tourists like to hear about Hawai’i, the places to go, and

what everything means. Hotels such as the Four Seasons Resort have job positions such as being

a cultural advisor or gretter, who talks to visitors about Hawai’i and has reliable knowledge

about the island. Being able to share your mana’o- or input- is a great way to teach new people

the important things about our islands.

There are many things being done in the present day to help sustain the Hawaiian culture

so that future generations will have the chance to understand what Hawai’i really is.

Organizations such as the Kimokeo Foundation, Lei of Aloha, and Hawaiian Islands Humpback

Whale National Marine Sanctuary are great things to be a part of if you are interested in the

Hawaiian culture. However in order for this to keep going for years to come, students need to

have access to resources. Hawaiian studies classes in high schools are a simple but effective way

for teenagers to explore the culture and potentially find a new passion.
 Bibliography

http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/TeachingAndLearning/StudentLearning/HawaiianE

ducation/Pages/History-of-the-Hawaiian-Education-program.aspx