Ka Haka Ula banner

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani–the world renowned college of Hawaiian language known for its efforts to revitalize the Hawaiian language and support other indigenous peoples across the globe in their efforts revitalize their own indigenous language and culture.

Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani was established in 1997 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, it being the first Hawaiian language college in the world. The college and program was named for Chiefess Ruth Keʻelikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa in honor of her steadfast, immovable, and fearless support of the Hawaiian language and culture.

Built on a wide foundation of traditional knowledge passed down throughout the generations, the students, faculty, and staff of Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani continually strive to realize the vision of the college for the betterment of all who reside in Hawaiʻi.

At Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, the Hawaiian language is continually being brought to the forefront through the complete operation of the college, its programs, and the exchange of discourse and instruction amongst students, faculty, and staff solely through the medium of the Hawaiian language

So come, join us, and see all that Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani has to offer.

ʻO ka ʻŌlelo ke Kaʻā o ka Mauli. [Language is the fiber that binds us together]

naʻu mau nō,

(808) 932-8920

lesliek@hawaii.edu

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, room 119

ʻO ka ʻōlelo ke kaʻā o ka mauli.

Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani was established at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in 1997, being the first college of Hawaiian language in the world. The college is named in honor of Chiefess Ruth (Leka) Keʻelikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa for her steadfast position in support of the Hawaiian language and culture.

Based on the broad foundation of traditional knowledge passed down from our ancestors, the students, faculty, and staff seek to fulfill the vision and mission of the college for the benefit of all of Hawaiʻi.

Academic Division

The Academic division of the college houses its degree programs, which focus on the lingustics, traditional culture, and education of the Hawaiian language within a Hawaiian language environment.

Hale Kuamoʻo-Hawaiian Language Center

The Hale Kuamoʻo-Hawaiian Language Center was established by the legislature of Hawaiʻi in 1989.The Hale Kuamoʻo supports and encourages the effort to make the Hawaiian language the dominant language various social, governmental, and business contexts so that the Hawaiian language is heard anywhere and everywhere one should go within and outside of Hawaiʻi. The Hale Kuamoʻo is the research and development division of Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.