Welina!
Our commitment is to serve our Hawaiʻi through practices rooted in our Indigenous Hawaiʻi, while being responsive to the needs of Native Hawaiians so that all people – inclusive of all ethnicities – can learn, grow, and thrive together.
There are many ways to build relationships in our communities. On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our office’s Pilina Circles and how to request one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pilina circle?
A Pilina Circle is an engaged and facilitated space where participants are invited to sit together and focus on rebuilding pilina (deep connections and meaningful relationships). This is achieved by sharing mo‘olelo, listening deeply, and (re)discovering our connections to ourselves, one another, and ‘āina.
Circles are led by two or more trained co-facilitators. Our co-facilitators plan, guide, and lead the engaged conversations, modeling questions and responses throughout the session. We currently have over 50 trained co-facilitators.
How long is a pilina circle?
The minimum time commitment for a circle is 2.5 hours. The process can be adapted into half-day or full-day experiences. Facilitators will need access to the space one hour in advance for setup.
How many people can participate?
A standard circle hosts a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 24 participants.
What if our group is larger than 24 people?
If you have a large group, we can either add additional co-facilitators or arrange for multiple circles to happen simultaneously. Please consult with our planning team to coordinate.
Are participants required to stay for the entire duration?
Yes. To maintain the integrity of the space and the group’s connection, all participants are asked to be fully present and attend for the full duration of the circle.
Do you facilitate circles on the Neighbor Islands?
Yes. While we are located on Oʻahu, we can host circles throughout the paeʻāina (Hawaiian archipelago). The hosting organization will be responsible for covering the travel costs for three team members.
Can a Pilina Circle be held virtually?
Yes, virtual circles are an option. However, due to the nature of storytelling and connection-building, we prefer to host circles in person.
Pilina Circle Requests
How far in advance should I submit a request?
Please make your request at least six weeks in advance to give both our planning team and co-facilitators adequate time to plan and prepare for a meaningful experience.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and are grateful to the many generations of kūpuna and mākua who have contributed to the creation and facilitation of Pilina Circles. Mahalo ā nui to Dr. Gail Christopher and Mee Moua for being the lamakū in supporting our campus’ growth in building pilina with ourselves, one another, and ʻāina.