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.
Native Hawaiian Student Services (NHSS) restarted the “Hawaiian Youths Abroad” program in Summer 2018, retracing the path of Hawaiian aliʻi, diplomats and citizens to create programs engaging students in different educational experiences and training around the world in service to Hawaiʻi. Our focus is on aliʻi huakaʻi and diplomatic relationships between the Hawaiian Kingdom and the rest of the world, and especially in the countries we visit.
In Summer 2024, the program will involve 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 will focus 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 will learn 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 will be from June 3 – August 2, 2024, with travel dates from June 29 – July 6, 2024.
Must be UH Mānoa full-time student in good status in both Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 semesters. Demonstrated commitment to Hawaiian history & leadership.
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, 2024 – 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 Papeʻete |
| July 5 | Ferry to Moʻorea, Visit to Gump Station |
| July 6 | Ferry to Papeʻete, Depart 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 […]