A‘o aku a‘o mai refers to the reciprocal practices of teaching and learning. In this programming university scholars and community practitioners respond to the following questions:

• What does aloha ‘āina mean to you?
• How do you incorporate aloha ‘āina into your work?

Past presentations:

• September 6, 2019: A Genealogy of “Hawaiian Place of Learning” and “Aloha ʻĀina” at UHM
• October 4, 2019: Mele Aloha ʻĀina – Dean Jonathan Osorio
• November 1, 2019: One Hānau and Aloha ʻĀina – Dr. Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3
• December 6, 2019: Aloha ʻĀina and Circular Economies – Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer Part 1 and Part 2
• February 7, 2020: Aloha ʻĀina, Vocabulary Use and Social Consciousness – Manu Kaʻiama
• March 6, 2020: Aloha ʻĀina Rising: Kānāwai & Rule of Law – Dr. Davianna McGregor Part 1 and Part 2

Reflection from past participant: “I learned so much about the place I have been living in all my life. It gave me appreciation of my life here, tinged with some sadness about changes that don’t take consideration of the past.” 

Nā mo‘olelo o Mānoa can be translated as “the stories of Mānoa.” These campus tours re-center Native Hawaiian ways of knowing and being in relationship with land including but not limited to re-introducing self to place, learning and utilizing the Native Hawaiian names of places, and learning the many layered stories of places.

Reflection from past participant: “The tour took us to many spaces on campus I have never known during my studies here. Relearning spaces through Hawaiian stories and geographies is truly surprising.”

Mo‘olelo aku mo‘olelo mai refers to the process of sharing and listening to stories. These dialogue circles intentionally create safe space to engage in the dialogical process regarding lessons learned, “aha moments,” and further wonderings about aloha ‘āina.

Reflection from past participant: “I really enjoyed the openness of the conversation and I felt extremely comfortable asking questions. I also love that I got to listen to a lot of different perspectives about what aloha ʻāina meant to everyone.”

Huli ka lima i lalo refers to turning one’s hands down to the earth. We partner with Noweo Kai, UH Mānoa campus arboretum curator, to provide participants a first-hand experience in caring for mother earth by caring for campus plants and learning how to best tend to them. This is a process of not only connecting with our campus and the environment but also with each other while doing so. This dual interaction of relationship with people and environment is a core tenet of aloha ‘āina.

Reflections from past participant: “I enjoyed caring for ʻāina together, learning the names of Hawaiian plants, how to care for them and what the plants are used for. It was an opportunity to learn from other attendees who shared their knowledge and experiences.”

To learn more about our campus plants use the UHM Campus Plant Finder.