Between 1880 and 1892, during King David Kalākaua’s reign, 18 Hawaiians participated in the “Hawaiian Youths Abroad” program in six different countries around the world: Italy, Scotland, England, China, Japan, and the United States.
“But just as I have said, there is but one alternative left us for saving our country, and that is to have Hawaiian youths educated abroad.”
Joseph Nawahī, April 1891
The 17 men and 1 woman were personally selected by King Kalākaua himself “to become future leaders” of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The Hawaiian youth studied engineering, medicine, art, music, military science and foreign languages for the purpose of bringing skills back to the service of their country.
After a 126 year hiatus, Native Hawaiian Student Services (NHSS) restarted a version of the “Hawaiian Youths Abroad” program in Summer 2018. With plans for study tours in future years, the program retraced the path of our ancestors abroad to engage students in international educational experiences and training around the world in service to our lāhui and ea.
The program was a very intensive summer institute with strict requirements for participation and engagement with assignments and research kuleana. As such, this program is treated as an NHSS Program leadership capstone project, with priority given to past NHSS cohort students who have established a track record of commitment to NHSS program requirements.
Q. How can I participate?
We currently have no plans for the next round of Hawaiian Youths Abroad. Students who would like to participate contact program lead, Nalani Balutski.
Priority Considerations
- Undergraduate UH Mānoa students that have at least one more semester before graduating
- Past and current NHSS program students that have participated in one or more NHSS cohort programs (Summer Bridge, Institutes, ʻŌiwi Undergraduate Mentorship Program, Internship Program, etc.) and show promise for advancing into this leadership program.
- Students interested in advanced graduate school and research engagement at UH Mānoa
- Demonstrated record of interest and engagement with Hawaiian education and/or research, and student able to articulate the connection between their own research interest and the focus of this Hawaiian Youths Abroad program
For more information, contact program lead, Nalani Balutski.
This year, Summer 2018, we partnered with a faculty member from the College of Education, Dr. Eōmailani Kukahiko (Curriculum Studies) to offer a 9-credit summer institute focused on Hawaiian Kingdom aliʻi huakaʻi and diplomatic relationships in Europe. The institute also includes a separate Faculty Sponsored Study Tour with separate fees and costs that are listed below.
ITE 403B Seminar in Educational Inquiry: Service Learning (3 credits). WI (Writing Intensive) Designation
Instructor: Dr. Eōmailani Kukahiko
EDEA 460E Topics in Emergent Paradigms of Leadership (3 credits). E (Ethics) Designation
Instructor: Nalani Balutski
ES 410 Race, Class & the Law (3 credits). H (Hawaiian, Asian & Pacific Issues) Designation
Instructor: Dr. Willy Kauai
FACULTY SPONSORED STUDY TOUR
The 9-credit Hawaiian Kingdom Europe Aliʻi Huakaʻi and Diplomatic Relationships Summer Institute includes a Faculty Sponsored Study Tour to London and Paris (final schedule/itinerary below).
The program and class starts on June 18, 2018 in Honolulu and ends on July 24, 2018 in London. The tentative travel dates are: July 11 – 24, 2018. Students are expected to be at UH Mānoa on August 8 – 10 for a re-entry meeting and pāʻina/hōʻike, but the class formally ends on July 24. Thus, students can extend their trip after July 24.
SCHEDULE & ITINERARY
June 18: Program Orientation
June 25: First Day of Class (daily for 4 hours)
June 26: Visit to Ānuenue
June 28: Visit to Hālau Kū Māna
July 2: Visit to Bishop Museum Archives w/ Karla Heath & Desoto Brown
July 3: Visit to Hawaiʻi State Archives
July 6: Pre-Departure Meeting with UH Mānoa Study Abroad
July 9: Student Presentations
July 11: Departure to Europe
July 13: Arrival in Paris, Visit to Eiffel Tower & Le Meurice
July 14: Louvre
July 15: Versailles
July 16: Train to London
July 17: Class @ University of Roehampton
July 18: Royal Archives @ Windsor Castle
July 19: British National Archives
July 20: British Museum Storehouse with Dr. Julie Adams
July 21: Matthew Makalua grave @ Hastings
July 22: Class @ University of Roehampton
July 23: British Library
July 24: Depart Home
August 6: Hōʻike Prep Day
August 7: Hōʻike: “Food & Fond Memories” & Research Presentation
2018 Travel Blog
Hawaiian Youths Abroad Video
Mahalo nui to Anianikū Chong (with the help of Kamehameha Schools Kanaeokana) for an amazing video about this year’s Hawaiian Youths Abroad program!
Post-trip Hōʻike Preparations
We are preparing from our HYA “Food & Fond Memories” hōʻike tomorrow and are putting together our research to share with the community. Check out these pictures Kawēlau Wright compiled of 6 of the original HYA students from Agnes Quigg’s 1988 article on the program.
Lā 12: Ua Lanakila i ka Malu o nā Lani
na Kaipulaumakaniolono Baker, mēkia ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi & ʻŌlelo Haole E holo ana ʻo Kalākaua E ʻimi i ka pono o nā moku I Kahiki a hoʻi mai I Kahiki-aʻo-Pelekāne I Kahiki-wāwae-pahu I ka ʻohe kāʻekeʻeke I ka pahu kani a Lono ʻO Lono-i-ka-makahiki Hoʻoheihei kani moana Kani Hāwea pahu aliʻi Eō mai e Ka Lani […]
Lā 11: British Library (London, England)
[coming soon] by Catherine Ferreira, English major
Lā 10: “Renewing Our Acquaintance” (London, England)
“Places Here are So Familiar to Me” by Christina Kaleiwahea, Finance major We are in London, and I can hardly realize the fact. It seems like a dream, and, what seems more strange, the names of streets and places here are so familiar to me—having heard and read of them from my childhood. It seems […]
Lā 9: Visiting Dr. Matthew Makalua (Hastings, England)
Dr. Makalua Inspiring the People & Board of Health’s Medical School Establishment by Nalani Balutski Matthew Manuia Makalua was one of three students in the Hawaiian Youths Abroad program who studied in England, along with Abraham Piianaia and Joseph Kamauoha in 1882. Makalua was the longest supported student in the program, as he continued to […]
Lā 8: British Museum Store House (Haggerston, England)
Today, July 20, was a heavy day. We traveled very far to the outskirts of downtown London to one of many of the British Museum’s store houses. We learned today that the British Museum, one of the largest museums in the world, has 7 million items in its collection. But because they only display about […]
Lā 7: Royal Archives (Windsor Castle, England)
Today, July 19, we traveled to Windsor Castle for a special visit arranged with the Royal Archives staff. We arranged for this visit primarily to see the original letter from Kamehameha I to King George III in 1810. The Royal Archives is physically housed in one of the oldest parts of Windsor castle. The soaring […]
Lā 6: National Archives (London, England)
Today, July 18, is our first day in downtown London and we visited the British National Archives in London, England. The England air is crisp and cool in the morning and sun stays up until 9:10pm. We started our journey by bus and train to Kew early in the morning, and arrived to a quaint […]
Lā 4 & 5 (Paris –> London): Travel to University of Roehampton
We traveled on the Eurostar train from Paris to London on July 16 to head to our new home for the next week at the University of Roehampton. There were quite a few in our group who had never been on a train before, so it was a unique and enjoyable experience overall. We are […]
Lā 3 (Paris, France): The Louvre on the World Cup Final Day!
By Anianikū Chong, UG Student in Art & Hawaiian Studies On the morning of July 16th we set out early to visit the Louvre Museum. The Louvre was originally built as a fortified enclosure in 1190 and used as a display of King Philippe Auguste authority as he was preparing to leave the country to go […]
Lā 2 (Paris, France): Versailles on Bastille Day!
by Kamuela Park, UG Student, Hawaiian Studies & Political Science & Wyatt Souza, PhD Student, English Today, marking our second day in Palisa, we ventured out to Versailles to visit Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles), which like our own ʻIolani Palace, originally symbolized the center of a monarchy while simultaneously used as a statement […]
Lā 1 (Paris, France): Nā ʻŌpio Hawaiʻi ʻImi Naʻauao
Aloha mai kākou mai Palisa (Paris)! Between 1880 and 1892, 18 Hawaiians participated in the Hawaiian Youths Abroad program in six different countries around the world: Italy, Scotland, England, China, Japan, and the United States. The 17 young men and 1 young woman were selected by King Kalākaua to become future leaders of an independent […]
Of the 18 students in the original 19th century Hawaiian Youths Abroad program, 5 studied in Italy, more than any other country. Following in their footsteps, the 2nd annual Hawaiian Youths Abroad program traveled to London, England then to Turin and Naples, Italy.
The program involved two 3-credit courses (6 credits total) and a 2 week Faculty Sponsored Study Tour.
EDEA 460E: Topics in Emergent Paradigms of Leadership (Nalani Balutski) – 3 credits
ES 410: Race, Class & the Law (Willy Kauai) – 3 credits
Program Itinerary
June 17: Courses start at Mānoa
June 24 – July 2: Research break (heavy readings & research assignments)
July 3: Courses resume at Mānoa
July 17: Departure for London
July 25: Departure for Italy
August 3: Program Ends in Italy, Return to Honolulu
August 14: Program Hōʻike in Honolulu
2019 Travel Blog
ʻŌkalakala ka ʻili: Kalākaua, skin, and moʻolelo ʻāina – Final day in Naples, Italy
Billy Kinney, Graduate Student, Urban & Regional Planning On July 16th, our group of fourteen departed Hawaiʻi at a very tumultuous time. Our incitement, personal contributions, and attentiveness to each other’s needs and sensitivities would hinge upon our personal ability to cope with separation in relation to ʻāina. However, aloha ʻāina cannot be blamed for […]
In Our Pursuit of Remembrance, Curtis Iaukea: Lā 14 ma Napoli
Na Hiwa Kaʻapuni, Undergraduate Student, Hawaiian Studies & Political Science As we near the end of our journey here in Naples, Italy, we begin to reflect on the familiarity of what we have experienced thus far. Although many of us have never visited this ʻāina before, we have come to realize that all our engagements […]
Rediscovering wahi pana and moʻolelo of James Kaneholo Booth: Lā 13 ma Napoli
Na Kawaipuna Kalipi, Graduate Student, Educational Administration Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea! Itʻs day 17/18 on Mauna Kea and day 15 since weʻve been gone from Hawaiʻi. Although we are all extremely grateful for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our kūpuna we also yearn to be with our lāhui on the mauna today […]
“No matter how far I go, I will always return,” Last day in Turin, Italy with Maile Nowlein & August Hering: Lā 11 & 12
Na: Kamaliʻi McShane Padilla, Undergraduate Student, Hawaiian Studies & Ethnic Studies Before starting our huakaʻi to Europe I left this hoʻohiki to my ʻāina and ʻohana at home, “no matter how far I go, I will always return”. No matter the distance I travel or the duration I stay away I will always find a […]
“All for the Sake of My Country,” Robert Napuʻuako Boyd: Lā 10 ma Torino
Na Maluhia Low, undergraduate student, Hawaiian Studies Cobbled stone streets, buildings manicured in history, food cherished as one would their newly born child, a language foreign but pleasant to the ear, and friendly haole[1] greet us daily in Turin, Italia. The sunlight goes well into the known hours of darkness back home, allowing our […]
“O ka wiwo ole oia ka Mekini o ke kanaka koa,” Robert William Kalanihiapo Wilcox: Lā 9 ma Turin
Na Kanoelani Pacheco, Graduate Student, Education Aloha nui kākou e nā hoa heluhelu, mahalo for continuing to accompany us in our journey abroad. As we follow in the footsteps of the 18 kānaka ʻōiwi who were strategically selected and encouraged by King Kalākaua to study abroad, we cannot help but feel the hopelessness of not […]
Hawaiʻi Still an Influence in the World: Lā 7 ma Lādana
Na Cameron Grimm, Graduate Student, Political Science On September 15, 1884, Prince David Kawananakoa boarded the Mariposa for San Francisco as part of the Hawaiian Youths Abroad program (HYA). He joined Thomas P. Cummins at St. Matthew’s Hall, an acclaimed military training academy in America. Six months later, Prince Kawananakoa’s two brothers, Prince Kalanianaole (Kuhio) […]
Lā 6: A Genealogical Pursuit of Ea- Mauna a Wākea, College of Arms, King’s College, St.Chad’s College, and Abraham Pi’ianai’a (London, England)
By Ihilani Lasconia, UG Student in Ethnic Studies They Could Never Sever Us from Our Piko, Our ʻIewe is the ʻĀina from which Our Ea rises *Written in reference to convictions about being abroad during all thatʻs happening on Mauna a Wākea and witnessing kānaka wake up to their kuleana and organizing in ways unseen […]
“Mahalo piha, Mōʻī ʻo ʻEnelani …Eia mākou i kou kapa kai”: Lā 5 ma Windsor
Na Kamalei Marrotte, undergraduate student, ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi a me ʻIke Hawaiʻi “Na wai hoʻi ka ʻole o ke akamai, he alahele i maʻa i ka hele ʻia e oʻu mau mākua” Who shall discredit knowledge when it is a path well trod by my ancestors.Kalanikualiholiho Being so far away from home with very little to orient […]
“I have never claimed American citizenship,” Dr. Matthew Makalua: Lā 4 Hastings
Na Kauʻi Martin, undergraduate student, Kinesiology & Pre-Medicine On this lāpule, we start our day with a huakaʻi to Hastings to visit Matthew Makalua’s grave. It was about a 4 and a half hour ride from the University of Exeter. We traveled on a motorcoach and as we looked out the windows, there were lots […]
Haʻaheo Hawaiʻi i nā Kona, Joseph Aio Arthur Kamauoha : Lā 3 ma Torquay
Na Kaimana Kawaha, Graduate Student, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi As the third days approaches us here in London, England, we as kanaka far away from our one hānau continue to feel the ʻeha of not being on Maunakea physically standing in solidarity with our Lāhui for more than just the safety of our sacred mauna, but for […]
A Hero Unsung: Lā 2, British National Archives
Na Hilinaʻiikaponoaupunioumialiloa Sai-Dudiot, BA in Hawaiian Language and Political Science In the hopes that they might reconnect to an identity from which they were several generations removed, Hawaiians of the 1970’s and on sought to reintroduce integral aspects of their nearly-forgotten culture. Among these were the skills of traditional wayfinding embodied through Hōkūleʻa, the concept […]
“Aloha ʻino ʻoukou”: Lā 1 i Europa
Na Allyson Nuesca Franco, MA Student in Educational Foundations Aloha mai kākou mai ka puka ʻana a ka lā i Haʻehaʻe a ka welo ʻana a ka lā i Lehua. Mahalo for joining us on our journey here in London via our blog posts! As we departed Hawaiʻi to London during the mahina of Māhealani […]
Hawaiian Youths Abroad 2019
Aloha mai kākou, Mahalo nui for joining Native Hawaiian Student Services (NHSS) on our second annual Hawaiian Youths Abroad program (HYA) in London, England as well as Turin and Naples, Italy. Last year, 2018, we aimed to reinstitute the HYA program established by the Hawaiian Kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Department during the reign of King David […]
In Summer 2024, the program will involved two (2) tuition-free courses (6 credits) — EDEA 460E and PACS 302 — as well as a seven (7) day study tour to Tahiti. The program focused on retracing Oceanic connections between Hawaiʻi and Oceania, with a strong archival repository focus in Honolulu prior to the study tour. Before leaving Honolulu, students learned more about Hawaiian diplomacy and engagement with the world in the 19th century, and the global nature of Hawaiian education in the Hawaiian Kingdom as foundational requirements for the establishment of the Hawaiian Youths Abroad program in 1880. The program dates were from June 3 – August 2, 2024, with travel dates from June 29 – July 6, 2024.
Program Itinerary
June 11-27, 2024 – Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
June 11: First day of class
June 13: Hawaiʻi State Archives with Lorenz Gonschor
June 18: Lecture with Keao NeSmith – Familiarity with Tahitian language, culture, and place
June 20: Guest presentation by Lorenz Gonschor
June 25: Lecture with Keao NeSmith
June 27: Final Preparations
June 29-July 7, 2025 – Tahiti, Raʻiātea, and Moʻorea
June 29: Departure to Tahiti
June 30: Around the Island Tour of Tahiti
July 1: Trip and overnight in Papenoʻo, Tahiti
July 2: Return from Papenoʻo
July 3: Flight to Uturoa, Raʻiātea, visit to Taputapuātea
July 4: Return to Papaʻete
July 5: Ferry to Moʻorea, Visit to Gump Station
July 6: Ferry to Papaʻete, Depart for Home
2024 Travel Blog
HYA 2024: Lā 8 – Our Return Home
by Kenzie Kahale-Alexander & Dustin Palos Papeʻete, Tahiti to Honolulu, Hawaiʻi As our time in Tahiti comes to a close, we reflect not only on the connections we’ve made during our time but also the connections we’ve held historically in ‘Ainamoana, specifically of the efforts of King Kalākaua to form the Polynesian Confederacy. With the […]
HYA 2024: Lā 7 – Moʻorea
by J. Kalawaiʻa Nunies Moʻorea Aloha nō mai kāua e kuʻu hoa heluhelu, e aloha ʻana aku au iā ʻoe me nā wai, nā limu a me nā manu ma Moʻorea: ʻo ia hoʻi ka nani o Maohi nui, na wai e ʻole kēlā? Aloha nō ʻia mākou e ua wai, makani, manu nei. ʻO […]
HYA 2024: Lā 6: Raiatea to Tahiti
by Aiponokamoku Valente Raiatea No ka nui ʻino o ka ʻīnea o ka poʻe Hawaiʻi i ka hiki ʻana mai ʻo ka poʻe Mikionali i Hawaiʻi nei e hū hewa ai ka hapa nui o ka poʻe “ʻo kēnā wahi poʻe hīkapalalē ʻē.” Eia naʻe, ʻo ka ʻike e maopopo ʻole ai ka lehulehu ka […]
HYA 2024: Lā 5 – Raiatea “Tupaia and Cookʻs Endeavor, Navigation and mapping of the Pacific”
by Chavella Kauhane Espinosa-Ramos (B.A. Political Science, Current MEdT Student) Raʻiātea Aloha kākou! Our huakaʻi brought us to Raiatea today, and it has been nothing short of inspiring. Day 4 of our Hawaiian Youths Abroad was dedicated to the legacy of Tupaia, the renowned navigator and arioi who played a pivotal role in bridging the […]
HYA 2024: Lā 4, July 2nd (Return from Papenoo & Papeete)
by Alicia Nani Reyes Papenoo & Papeʻete, Tahiti For Hawaiian Youths Abroad 2024, we are staying in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. Today, there are 12 foreign embassies and consulates in Tahiti, including the United States and Australia. I would like to share about another consulate which was the Hawaiian Kingdom. The presence of the […]
HYA 2024: Lā 3 – Cosmic connections, navigating Peles birth; interconnectedness across the ocean, time and space
by Kuhi Leong Papenoʻo, Tahiti After traveling 2,627 miles from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti, it is finally Monday, July 1st. As we travel these unknown lands, I feel a familiar presence, one undisturbed by my inexperience. To uphold the beauty of this valley: I tread lightly, leaving nothing but a ghostly presence. Today, we return to […]
HYA 2024: Lā 2, Papeete to Tautira
by Mahealani Lujan and Kamakani Albano Tahiti Nui “A Moʻolelo of Remembrance” Na Kamakani Albano I wake up this morning knowing the wombs I come from Papahānaumoku’s womb connects Tahiti to Kalihi A familiar taste on my mother tongue Papa’s breath grows from ʻulu leave Ia Ora Na, she greets High tides pulled by mahina […]
HYA 2024: Lā 1, Hawaiʻi to Tahiti
by Kenzie Kahale-Alexander & Dustin Palos Honolulu, Hawaiʻi to Papeete, Tahiti “He aupuni palapala koʻu; o ke kanaka pono ʻoia koʻu kanaka,” spoken by Kamehameha III, marked a shift in education in the Hawaiian Kingdom. This ideology would lead the Hawaiian Kingdom to become one of the most literate nations in the world. In 1880 […]