A PhD in Hawaiʻinuiākea assists to crucially bridge and build a balance among the studies of Hawaiian language, knowledge, and community practicum components in Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (HSHK) and across the campus. Educated in Hawaiian knowledge, graduates of the program will train toward becoming laeʻula (doctoral) in Native Hawaiian knowledge systems based in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English resources. Together these will help to develop students as holders of ʻIke Kupuna (steadfast in knowledge of the ancestors), with leadership capabilities across educational, governmental, and public and private industry sectors. HSHK looks to share Indigenous-centered graduate curriculum and applied Hawaiian epistemology.
Degree Requirements
- Students must complete up to (22) credits of coursework at the 600-level and above, including HSHK 701: Kau i ka Niʻo (3 credits) and HSHK 800: Dissertation Research (1 credit).
- Students must receive a grade of B- or better in ALL courses counted toward their PhD in Hawaiʻinuiākea
- Students are also required to take a minimum of (9) credits of HAW and (9) credits of HWST graduate course work (600 level and above). These credits may be a part of the (22) credits of required coursework but may also include coursework taken prior to entering PhD.
Core Requirements (22 Total Minimum Credits Required)
- HSHK 701 Kau i ka Niʻo Credits: 3
- HAW 601 Kākau Mo‘olelo Credits: 3
- HWST 601 Indigenous Research Methodologies Credits: 3
- HWST 603 Review of Hawaiian Literature Credits: 3
- HAW 615 Kuana‘ike Credits: 3
- HSHK 800 Dissertation Research Credits: 1
- Two (2) Elective Courses (to be decided upon by the student and Committee Chair) Credits: 6
For more information please contact the
Hawaiʻinuiākea Dean’s Office
808-956-0980
hshk@hawaii.edu
Page Updated- April 6, 2026