HWST 100 Introduction to Hawaiian Culture 

An introduction to Hawaiian cultural traditions, from ancient to modern times. It provides an overview of ancient concepts that still influence Hawaiian thinking today, including the intimate connection between human beings and nature, the importance of connection to a place and a genealogy, and the importance and definition of living by Hawaiian values. 

HWST 107 Hawaiʻi: Center of the Pacific

Surveys the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; their various origins, geography, languages, religions, colonial histories and modern development, seen through the cultural lens of the Hawaiian people.  

HWST 110 Huakaʻi Waʻa: Introduction to Hawaiian Voyaging

HWST 110 introduces students to modern Hawaiian canoe voyaging through an examination of the science and narratives of ancient voyaging, the history of the modern revival of voyaging, and the Hawaiian navigator’s toolkit.

HWST 207 Hawaiian Perspectives in Ahupuaʻa Resource Management

Examine the ahupuaʻa system: its mythologies, place names, history, poetry and early documents of the Hawaiian nation, as it was conceptualized by the ancient Hawaiians and exploration of its relevance in modern society. The primary focus of this course will be the Hawaiian land division: the Ahupua'a. Through an understanding of the ahupua'a, students will become familiar with perspective on Hawaiian resource management and Hawaiians' relationship with the 'āina. This course will emphasize 'Āina based learning.

HWST 216 History of Surfing

A study of the traditional native sports practices of the Hawaiian people that symbolized the native people's relationship to the 'āina (land) and how such sports are significant components to understanding the Hawaiian culture, and were/are unique identifiers of the native identity.

HWST 222 Introduction to Hawaiian Fiber Arts Studio: Hana Noʻeau Māʻawe 

HWST 222 offers an introduction to a variety of fibers used in Hawaiian culture. Emphasis on cultivation, preparation, uses and conservation of fibers. Areas explored are kapa, plaiting, netting and twining.

HWST 255 Introduction to the Hawaiian Kingdom 

HWST 255 focuses on the Hawaiian Kingdom era covering two major historical periods: the first from 1810 until 1893; the second from 1893 to the present. This course focuses primarily on the first historical period, allowing the legal, political, and economic conclusions from that era to inform and provide for us a continuity into the second historical period. Major topics addressed in this course are: unification; the Hawaiian Constitutions; recognition and nationhood in 1843; feudal and allodial land systems; the Hawaiian economy; the Hawaiian monarchs; the occupation of the Hawaiian Islands; issues and methods of de-occupation; historical, political, legal, and economic global contexts.

HWST 257 Māhele: Hawaiian Land Tenure

HWST 257 is an introduction to the Māhele of 1848 and the evolution of Hawaiian Land tenure resulting in a hybrid system of private property in the mid-19th century. This course will survey 1) the major conceptual categories of land title that were created (Government Lands, King/Crown Lands and Land Commission Awards) and 2) the specific instruments of title created (Royal Patent Grants, Land Patent Grants, Kamehameha Deeds, Crown Land Leases, Oral Gifts, Konohiki Awards and Kuleana Awards) in the evolution from an oral to a written system of land title. Emphasis will be placed on improving the students' information literacy skills with primary and secondary data sources. This course will also discuss the implications of Hawaii's unique system of land law and how traditional land rights are applicable today.

HWST 258 History of Hawaiian Music and Ethnography I

This course is an introduction to Hawaiian acculturated vocal and instrumental music. The course primarily focuses on the Hawaiian Renaissance era of the 1960s and 1970s within the context of the surrounding decades, examining both post-19th century music and contemporary Hawaiian music. Topics covered are: musical genres, styles, histories, artists; identification of instruments; basic music theory, composition, vocal harmony, sound recording; genealogy, legacies, and Hawaiian cultural contexts.

HWST 258L History of Hawaiian Music and Ethnography Lab

HWST 258L is a laboratory to accompany HWST 258 Hawaiian Music & Ethnography I. The course includes live music performances and improvisation, contextual experience, and hands-on lessons in Hawaiian music.

HWST 270 Hawaiian Mythology
An introduction to Hawaiian mythology and mo'olelo as a basis of understanding (or a reflection) of Hawaiian culture, values, metaphor, and worldviews.  This course will investigate and analyze oral and written Hawaiian literary sources and the roles of akua, 'aumakua, kupua, and kanaka. 

HWST 281 Hoʻokele I: Hawaiian Astronomy and Weather

HWST 281 offers an introduction to Hawaiian views of astronomy and the stars used by Polynesian Voyaging Society navigators. Introduction and comparison to various Pacific island non-instrument navigation systems and star names.

HWST 281L Hoʻokele I: Hawaiian Astronomy and Weather Lab

HWST 281L offers a stargazing laboratory to accompany HWST 281.

HWST 282 Hoʻokele II: Hawaiian Navigation, Weather, Canoe Design & Sailing 

HWST 282 introduces students to Hawaiian and other Oceanic canoe design, navigation, Pacific weather, sailing dynamics for canoes, and sail planning strategies used by Polynesian Voyaging Society navigators for long voyages. 

HWST 282L Hoʻokele II: Hawaiian Navigation, Weather, Canoe Design & Sailing Lab

HWST 282L provides students hands on experience on voyaging skills and sailing canoes to accompany HWST 282.

HWST 285 Lāʻau Lapaʻau: Hawaiian Medicinal Herbs 

HWST 285 presents Hawaiian medicinal herbs including basic philosophy, identification, utilization, and preparation of such herbs for human ailments.

HAW 101 Elementary Hawaiian I

Introduces the study of basic structures of the Hawaiian language with emphasis on the five recognized skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural understanding.

HAW 102 Elementary Hawaiian II

Focuses on basic structures of the Hawaiian language with emphasis on the five recognized skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural understanding. This course is taught within the context of the contemporary culture of the Hawaiian people. 

HAW 201 Intermediate Hawaiian I

A continuation of HAW 102. Further development of the five recognized skills of language acquisition: listening, r eading, writing, speaking, and cultural understanding in the Hawaiian language. Students will gain these five skills, attaining the Intermediate Low level on the ACTFL proficiency scale. 

HAW 202 Intermediate Hawaiian II

A continuation of HAW 201. Further development of the five recognized skills of language acquisition: listening, reading, writing, speaking, and cultural understanding in the Hawaiian language. Students will gain the five skills, attaining the Intermediate Mid level on the ACTFL proficiency scale. 

HAW 224 Intermediate Hawaiian Reading

HAW 224 is an intermediate level course taught in the medium of Hawaiian language. This course will serve as a bridge course to the third year Hawaiian language classes by increasing fluency in reading, writing, and speaking in the target language.

HAW 261 Hawaiian Literature in Translation: Pre-1800 traditions

A survey of Hawaiian oral arts and traditions in translation, including narratives, chants, and proverbs from the period before Western contact, with reference to Polynesia and Western themes and forms.

HAW 262 Hawaiian Literature in Translation: 1800 to Present

Offers a survey of Hawaiian literature, featuring selected works by Hawaiian authors from the period following Western contact (c. 1800) and the introduction of writing and the printing press. While texts translated into English will be the required readings, selected Hawaiian texts may be presented for comparative purposes.

HAW 290 Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻŌlelo me Ka ʻIke Hawaiʻi

Designed to prepare students to serve as Hawaiian language and culture resources on campus and in the community through ʻāina learning experiences. Application of ʻāina learning experiences, moʻoʻōlelo, and personal reflections will serve as the basis for communicative activities in class. (HAW 290 he papa i haku ʻia i hoʻomākaukau i nā haumana e lilo i mau kakoʻo ma ke kula nui kaiāulu a ma ke kaiāulu no hoʻi ma o ka mālama ʻāina. Ma o ka hana mālama ʻāina, moʻoʻōlelo me ka hōʻike noʻonoʻo pili kino ke kahua no ka hana 'ōlelo ma nēia papa.)