​​Background

Established in 1840 by King Kamehameha III, the public education system in Hawaiʻi is the oldest educational system west of the Mississippi and the only system established by a sovereign monarch. This could also be considered the first system of Hawaiian education, as the curriculum was delivered through the medium of the Hawaiian language — the Hawaiian language was the main language used in instructing students.

Shortly after this period, the increase of foreign influence in politics and economics (labor) changed Hawaiian education as English eventually became the medium of instruction. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, teaching and learning through the medium of Hawaiian was banned in 1896. Many Hawaiian elders have told of being punished for speaking Hawaiian at school. Hawaiian language would not be heard in schools for the next four generations.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, a resurgence in cultural pride and identity led to a significant increase in the interest in and the practice of the Hawaiian culture. A major movement of grassroots support for music, hula and language activities in the community emerged. This renaissance in Hawaiian culture led to community demand for more Hawaiian-oriented courses of study in schools and colleges.

The concern that the Hawaiian language would be lost with the passing of the existing native speakers became a major focus, in view of the belief that understanding of the Hawaiian language is the key to fully understanding the whole culture of the Hawaiian people. Efforts began to revitalize the language.

On the political side, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was created in the 1978 Constitutional Convention. The State Constitution was amended in 1978 to include Article X, Section 4 which mandated that the State promote "the study of Hawaiian culture, history and language" by providing a Hawaiian education program and using community expertise "as a suitable and essential means in furtherance of Hawaiian education." Furthermore Article XV, Section 4 officially recognizes Hawaiian as an official language of the State. These political changes led to the changes in the educational system.

Development within the Department

Prior to 1980, the curriculum of the Hawaii public school system included certain concepts and practices pertaining to Hawaiian culture and knowledge with information about various historical events, relationships and personages taught over the years. This instruction, however, was limited in that it occurred only at selected grade levels and within specific subject areas.

Since the establishment of the Hawaiian Studies Program in 1980 and the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program in 1986, there has been major effort to incorporate more elements of Hawaiian knowledge (culture, history and language) into the State curriculum systematically and sequentially throughout the content areas and grade levels of our public schools. A timeline follows with highlights of Hawaiian education within HIDOE.

Organizational Timeline: Hawaiian education in HIDOE