Classroom Groupings

UH Mānoa Children’s Center cluster its classrooms into two groups called hui. Hui Kaikaina is the group of four toddler classrooms. Kaikaina is a Hawaiian word referring to the younger sibling or cousin. Hui Kaikua‘ana is the group of four preschool classrooms. Kaikua‘ana is a Hawaiian word referring to the older sibling or cousin. This hui arrangement allows the toddlers and preschooler to reflect the uniqueness of their developmental ages while maintaining the family connection being the big brother or sister and the little brother or sister. Kaikaina and Kaikua‘ana care for each other from different perspectives, and these caring skills
are embedded in our curriculum.

Classroom Names

We have named our classrooms based on the phases of the moon. In old Hawai‘i, regular task and routines were assigned to specific phases of the moon to provide consistency and balance. Farmers planted certain plants during specific phases, defined times just to weed and garden, and defined times to harvest or reflect on their work. Fishermen had specific phases to fish in the reef or deep in the sea tied to light and tides provided by the moon. Each side new the pattern of the other side, so both could plan times in the month to meet and share. The moon therefore reflects cycles and routines, communication across distances, measuring time, and balancing times of activity with times of relaxation, times of reflections, and times of sharing. All of these are connected to child development and our curriculum.

Hui Kaikaina

Hilo and Hoaka (1-2 year olds)

These crescent moons are the first days of the lunar month, and represent children coming out of the shadows of development to reveal their personalities. Hilo can mean twisting or braiding, but can also be viewed as the moon beginning to form. Hoaka refers to the sparking, glittering light reflected on the surface of the ocean. Developmentally, this is the time that children are moving and searching, playing hide-and-seek, and discovering things that were hidden.

Huna and Mohalu (2-3 year olds)

These waxing, gibbous moons are building towards the full moon, and represent children just beginning to fully enter the community of friends. Huna can refer to fine details, or beginning to round out. Mohalu can refer to blossoming or unfolding like a flower. Developmentally, this is a the time that children are becoming more independent, playing with both shadow and light. They are experimenting with surprise and slightly scary things to practice emotional balance, so they love stories about friendly monsters and sometimes angry dinosaurs.

Hui Kaikua‘ana

Hua and Hōkū (3-4 year olds)

These are the first full moons in the Hawaiian lunar cycle, and represent the children coming fully into the community of learners. They are forming friendships and understand who likes what, or doesn’t like what. Hua can literally mean fruit or egg, but can also be looked at as fruitful or flourishing. Hōkū can refer to a star, but as a moon phase reflects an idea or inspiration. Developmentally, this is a time for them to come out of their shells and start building relationships and social understanding; to express themselves in new ways, and to try different things on to see how they feel in full light.

Māhealani and Kulu (4-5 year olds)

This is when the moon starts off full but starts to not be a round. It is a time for consolidating knowledge and resources. Māhealani is the last full moon, so it is a great time to plant or fish for whatever is needed to round out your resources. Kulu can refer to drops or trickles, but can also refer to timber leaning on each other to build a structure. Developmentally, this is a time when children begin to understand who is good at what in their community, and who will help you build an idea or balance 3-dimensional structure.

Mauli – our library area

We have a multipurpose library space in the middle of our new facility. A space where we can transition children and families, hold staff meeting or family workshops, and present supportive activities throughout the year. We are naming this space Mauli after the last moon phase before becoming a new moon and ending the month. Mauli refers to life, heart, spirit, and precious life, and this space is in the heart of our new facility. It is also known as the marriage moon, and so is a space to support parents. Traditionally, you would also plant dark green vegetables, the color of UH Mānoa.