An Academic Subject Certificate (ASC) in Hawaiian Studies is a credential awarded to students who successfully complete a short-term structured series of courses in this interdisciplinary program. 

This is a fun way to focus your studies on Hawaiian-related fields while receiving an accredited subject expertise certificate.

Completion of this certificate will lead the student onto pathways of science, art, and/or history depending upon the courses completed.

Students who:

• earn a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) of 2.0 in two years (16 credits) of Hawaiian language, 

• complete the Written Communication (FW) requirement, 

• complete the Symbolic Reasoning (FS) requirement, 

• and maintain that GPR while completing HIST 284 (Hawaiian History), HWST 107 (Hawai‘i: Center of the Pacific) and 21 elective credits of related academic coursework, 

will be eligible for this academic subject certificate in Hawaiian Studies. 

For more information on electives, please contact our Academic Advisor or one of our Faculty members and we will be happy to help you. 

Core Requirements for the ASC 

• HWST 100 Introduction to Hawaiian Culture

• HWST 107 Hawai‘i: Center of the Pacific

• HWST 207 Hawaiian Perspectives in Ahupua‘a Resource Management

• HWST 216 History of Surfing

• HWST 270 Hawaiian Mythology

• HWST 281 Ho‘okele I: Hawaiian Astronomy and Weather

• HWST 281L Ho‘okele I: Hawaiian Astronomy and Weather Lab

• HAW 101 Elementary Hawaiian I

• HAW 102 Elementary Hawaiian II

• HAW 201 Intermediate Hawaiian I

• HAW 202 Intermediate Hawaiian II

• HAW 224 Intermediate Hawaiian Reading

• HAW 261 Hawaiian Literature in Translation: Pre-1800 traditions

• HAW 262 Hawaiian Literature in Translation: 1800 to Present

To read the course descriptions for any of our core courses, please use the courses link above to read the full descriptions to help you get inspired to join the AA in Hawaiian Studies Program. 

• (Knowledge)  Demonstrate proficiency in Hawaiian language and Hawaiian culture at the intermediate level. 

• (Comprehension)  Identify social problems and economic issues in the contemporary Pacific and assess their impact on Hawai‘i and other Pacific Islands. 

• (Application)  Demonstrate a familiarity with a variety of texts that make up the knowledge embodied by Pacific Islanders, including oral traditions, primary and secondary literature as well as visual and tactile expressions of their cultures. 

• (Synthesis)  Synthesize information about how islanders’ physical environment has shaped culture as well as hypothesize on the effects of the increasingly environment in the modern period. 

• (Evaluation)  Relate coursework with his/her past, present, and future. 

• (Attitudes)  Appreciate the language, art, religion, philosophy, and material way of life of Hawaiian society. 

• (Attitudes)  Recognize and choose educational pathways developed through self-reflection.