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today did my presentation fo my Maui aloha 'aina class, i was so stoked fo get it done and to see my finish product was awesome too. i did my presentation da wailuku river and the diversion of the river and why and where the water was going,, so i started out with the straem flow up in iao valley den i slowly came down and took photo's of the river slowly being diverted and as i took foto's of the muliwai Neva have water was all dried up...so being dat..the eco system no can cycle and it just cuts it right off..some sad and we as the tenants of the land are as big part of that diversions, and its not only ova hea on maui island but allova..so i guess we gotta just be cautious about dat and malama da 'aina..!

Please check out my groups Maui Aloha 'Aina project on youtube. Hope you all enjoy. Mahalo to all group members for your all your hard work and mahalo to anakala Dukelow.

A Hawaiian Perspective on Sustainability/ uhmc students www.youtube.com

Last night my Oli papa from the University of Hawaii Maui College performed our last performance of the semester. It was such a humbling experience. We waited outside the student lounge until it was our turn to go on. Our papa was blessed from another hoapapa from our olelo class who did an oli to give us wisdom. From that point on I felt the mana grow between all of us hoapapa. We went on and performed all our oli and it was amazing to oli to our Hawaiian people. The last oli that was done was by Mahi'ai a hoapapa. The last oli was wa 'ekahi of the kumulipo. He was courageous to performed the wa 'ekahi kumulipo by himself. I'm so proud of him and when he reached Po---no the last line everyone stood up clapping. People were so moved some were tearing up. My heart was so full of love for my hoapapa this experience brought us even closer together. I will never forget last night for it will be one of my most memorable nights being so proud to be a kanaka hawaii with my oli papa.  

Honolulu Weekly - December 7, 2011 - By Joan Conrow

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has been fighting for decades to get some $200 million in back-due revenues in return for the state’s use of so-called “ceded” public lands that were siezed from the Hawaiian kindgom upon the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. And the state has been trying for decades to perk up the Kakaako area through redevelopment.

Now, Gov. Neil Abercrombie has merged the two long-sought objectives, announcing a proposal which would settle OHA’s claim by giving the agency 25 acres in Kakaako as well as his own grand plans to incorporate the neighborhood into Oahu as a “third city,” replete with a 650-foot skyscraper on Pohukaina Street that would tower some 250 feet over Honolulu’s tallest buildings.

But both proposals face significant obstacles, given the long-simmering dispute over rightful ownership of “ceded lands,” the state Legislature’s previous rejection of an OHA settlement proposal, ongoing fears that the deal could open the doors to a final resolution in favor of the state, past public opposition to Kakaako high rises and the threat of rising sea levels.

“My first thought was, here we go again,” said Henry Noa, prime minister of the Reinstated Hawaiian Government. “We have the state trying to justify a land exchange that they don’t have proper title to. They don’t even have the right to transfer the land.”

Noa’s sentiments were echoed by University of Hawaii professor Jon Osorio in a Nov. 29 commentary published in The Hawaii Independent. “To begin with, all transactions involving so-called public lands by the state and any state agencies are violations of Hawaiian Kingdom law,” he wrote. “The crown and government lands of the Hawaiian Kingdom are the property of Hawaiian nationals and the heirs to the Crown. Possession of these lands by the United States is a theft and nothing more.”

Read The Entire Article Here

Maui News - December 4, 2011

KAHULUI - State Office of Hawaiian Affairs officials presented a proposed settlement to Native Hawaiians on Friday night in which the agency would receive $200 million in Honolulu real estate for revenue generated on Hawaiian monarchy lands.

But some of the approximately 50 people who attended the meeting at Maui Waena Intermediate School reacted with anger and distrust of OHA negotiating a deal with the state.

During a question-and-answer session, Foster Ampong said that having OHA, a state agency, negotiate with the state is like "a thief negotiating with itself."

"There's a perversion there," he said, maintaining that the state was trying to clear itself of liability over Hawaiian lands.

"It's really, really insulting to us here."

Ampong likened the proposed settlement to efforts to convince Hawaiians to support the Akaka Bill and its aim to have the federal government recognize Hawaiians as a native people.

He said both were being "shoved down our throat."

Ampong received a round of applause in support of his comments.

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"NO HOPE FOR THESE DOPES"

Be Afraid - The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Is About To Do A Ceded Lands Trade That Wonʻt Make The Grade.

Itʻs In What They Want To Give Away That Hawaiians Theyʻll Once Again Betray.

Where Are They Going Astray Thatʻs Causing So Much Dismay?

Watch This & Youʻll See How This Ceded Lands Deal Is Just Another Steal.

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A Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Studies:
Is it possible to be a Bachelor Degree? Sure Why Not!

In the summer of 2010 my oldest son Kupono was growing up, and starting Kindergarten. Kupono attended a Hawaiian Immersion preschool the year before, and wanted to continue learning the Hawaiian language. After pre-school, Hawaiian Immersion students enroll at Pa’ia Elementary where they start Kindergarten. There were more applicants for the kindergarten class then space available. The principal of Pa’ia Elementary then decided to hold a lottery and whomever’s name got drawn, would have a seat in the kindergarten class. The principal did this because she claimed there weren’t enough teachers for the Hawaiian Immersion students. The lottery never happened, and a teacher was found to teach a second kindergarten class.
Going through this dramatic experience of my son closely being denied a public school education opened my eyes. I then decided to quit my low paying job and go back to school. It has been six years since I last attended college. I started a family and got married three years after I graduated from High School. I love being a mother but want my children to never be denied an education. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to go to school for, but I couldn’t sit and experience my son being denied an education in out mother tongue again.
Living on Maui I have the opportunity to attend one out of nine University of Hawaii system colleges. I learned that in 2010, Maui Community College was approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to change their name to the University of Hawaii Maui College. (maui.hawaii.edu) The college name change was very important because it now offers three Bachelor Degrees which are:
1. Applied Science in Applied Business and Information Technology
2. Engineering Technology
3. Sustainable Science Management (maui.hawaii.edu)
Being out of college for so long, my nerves and lack of college curriculum knowledge had me second guessing my decision to return to college. On the University of Hawaii Maui College website, I read the college mission statement which said:
“University of Hawaii Maui Colleges is a learning-centered institution that provides affordable, high quality credit and non-credit educational opportunities to a diverse community of lifelong learners.”(maui.hawaii.edu)
This mission is exactly what I needed to motivate myself to continue my education. The University of Hawaii Maui College is indeed affordable for my family’s budget charging 97 dollars per credit. The vision of the University which is also located on the college website also influenced my decision to attend and it said:
“We envision a world-class college that meets current and emerging Maui county education and training needs through innovative high quality programs offered in stimulating learning environments. The college mission, goals and actions will be guided by the Native Hawaiian reverence for the ahupua’a, a practice of sustaining and sharing diverse but finite resources for the benefit of all.”(maui.hawaii.edu)
Being Hawaiian I deeply appreciated the University of Hawaii Maui College sharing education in the same format as the ahupua’a system.
I applied to Maui College and anxiously waited for my acceptance letter. When the acceptance letter came in I felt as if I won the lottery. I wanted to finish my education and make a difference. I got into classes that were available such as Math, English and Hawaiian language. Throughout my first fall semester I really enjoyed my Hawaiian language class. I learned the Hawaiian language through stories and values that I want my children to learn. The following semester was Spring, I enrolled in more Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies classes. Over the summer break I thought long and hard about what classes I would be taking the next Fall semester. I want a career that would help the Hawaiian Immersion children, better my community and help provide for my family. Since having my children I enjoyed helping them with their homework, projects and volunteering at their schools. My youngest son is special needs. I have found that working with him and seeing him light up when he says a word clearly is worth all the long hours of practicing his speech. My second Fall semester, I decided on a career path that was best for me. I chose to be a Hawaiian Immersion Teacher with Special Education Certification. I could teach Hawaiian immersion students, but if any student had a special education needs they wouldn’t have to leave my class room. I would integrate the special education student with their fellow classmates.
Deciding that I wanted to be a Hawaiian immersion teacher with certification in special education meant I would need a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian studies and elementary education. At the University of Hawaii Maui College an Associate degree in Liberal Arts is offered with an academic subject certificate in Hawaiian studies. The Liberal Arts degree can lead into an elementary education Baccalaureate degree through Maui College’s distance learning center. Pursing my elementary education degree through distance learning would allow me to remain on Maui but still considered a student of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The academic subject certificate in Hawaiian studies is the foundation to its Baccalaureate degree. “The certificate enhances the Liberal Arts AA degree.” (maui.hawaii.edu) There are additional requirements for the Academic Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Studies which are:
“ 27-28 credits:
1. The academic subject certificate has a minimum of twenty seven credits.
2. Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses included in the certificate.
3. A minimum of nine credits must be taken at Maui Community College.
Required courses-Hawaiian studies core: 10 credits
1. Bot 105: Hawaiian Ethno botany (3)
2. Haw 202: Intermediate Hawaiian II (4)
3. Hwst 107: Hawaii center of the pacific (3)
Elective courses: 17-18 Credits Any 100 or 200 level Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies courses a minimum of two, 200 level courses are required. A list of approved elective courses can be reviewed at maui.hawaii.edu/programs/hwst.” Kumu Kahele a professor in the Hawaiian studies department at Maui College has been tracking completed academic subject certificates in Hawaiian studies shown by Fig. 1 below. In Fig. 1 Kumu Kahele has been tracking since Fall of 2003 until Spring of 2011. Kumu Kahele frequently updates Fig. 1. it was last updated it on March 5, 2011. The data in the Fig. 1. can be used for future growth of the Hawaiian Studies department at the University of Hawaii Maui College.
Academic Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii Maui College:
Semesters Number of Graduates
Fall 2003 1
Spring 2004 0
Fall 2004 1
Fall 2005 3
Spring 2006 1
Fall 2006 3
Spring 2007 5
Fall 2007 6
Spring 2008 5
Fall 2008 4
Spring 2009 8
Fall 2009 8
Spring 2010 4
Fall 2010 2
Spring 2011 6
Total 57
* Updated 3-5-11 by Kahele Dukelow

Fig. 1 (Dukelow)
An academic subject certificate is satisfying for my present education but with an end goal of becoming a Hawaiian Immersion teacher with a Certificate in Special Education I need to complete a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies which is not offered at Maui College. The only way I would be able to complete a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian studies would require me to transfer to either UH Manoa or UH Hilo. However, I am unable to transfer to either schools because of my family, job and living situation. I have come up with a solution for me to achieve my academic goals without having to relocate and that is for Maui College to offer a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies. My determination to achieve my goal led me to inquire about the process of creating a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies here at Maui College. I interviewed David Grooms, Professor and Interim Assistant Dean of Instruction Academic Affairs, at The University of Hawaii Maui College. He guided me on the process of a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies. While interviewing Professor David Grooms, I explained my dilemma and expressed my desire for a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies. He shared the process of creating a new Baccalaureate degree at Maui College. He shared a form “Guide to Academic Program Actions and Approval” that has four steps to creating a Baccalaureate degree:
1. New Program Proposal (Bachelor)
2. Review by Council of Chief Academic Officers (CCAO)
3. Approval by Board of Regents (BOR)
4. Communication/Dissemination by President for Academic Planning and Policy (Hawaii.edu)
The first step of the New Program Proposal requires a needs assessment in the local community. This is a survey that determines what jobs the new Baccalaureate degree would provide in the local community. This survey also determines the interest of the local community in the new Baccalaureate degree.
The second step would be to complete the Authorization to Plan a New Academic Program also known as ATP and a Revenue Template worksheet. The ATP form has certain “Guiding principles” which are:
1. Best interest of the student (demand)
2. Best interest of the community (work force needs)
3. Aligned with campus mission and system strategic outcomes/priorities
4. Aligned with the University of Hawaii system mission and priorities
Professor David Grooms went on and explained that a curriculum for a Baccalaureate degree would also have to be written up. There is a key question that Professor David Grooms informed me with which was “How will the Baccalaureate degree be funded and will it sustain itself?” He then gave me a copy of an Academic Cost and Revenue Template that breaks down the cost of the new Baccalaureate degree. This form is adjusted each year depending on the enrollment of students in the Baccalaureate degree program. Once this process is completed, the Baccalaureate degree can be reviewed by the University of Hawaii Council of Chief Academic Officers also known as CCAO. The CCAO will review the Baccalaureate degree proposal and make improvements. The CCAO is a group of individuals with the “opportunity to develop understandings and relationships that span the 10 campuses and facilitate the ability to meet the needs of all students in the University of Hawaii system.”(Hawaii.edu) The CCAO members are individuals from each University of Hawaii campuses throughout the islands. The council has four specific responsibilities which are:
1. Recommendations and advice
2. Academic policy implementation
3. Strategic plan monitoring
4. Coordination and communication (Hawaii.edu)
At the University of Hawaii Maui College the Chief Academic Officer is Vice Chancellor John Mckee.
The third step is the reviewing of the Baccalaureate degree by the Board of Regents for the University of Hawaii system campuses. The Board of Regents is made up of fifteen individuals who “formulate policy and exercises control over the university through its executive officer, the university president. The board has exclusive jurisdiction over the internal structure, management and operation of the university.” (Hawaii.edu) Professor David Grooms explained that during the review of the Baccalaureate degree by the Board of Regents, the degree can be denied. The Board of Regents expect the Baccalaureate degree to follow the “Bachelor’s Degree Template.”(Hawaii.edu) The Bachelor degree template has five areas of learning which are:
1. Knowledge
2. Intellectual Skills
3. Applied Learning
4. Civic Learning
5. Institution-specific areas (Hawaii.edu)
The Bachelor degree template should clearly explain each area of learning through the Bachelor degree curriculum. When the Bachelor degree is approved by the Board of Regents the Baccalaureate degree has one final step.
The fourth step of the Baccalaureate degree is a review by the Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy also known as the VPAPP. The VPAPP for the University of Hawaii system is Linda K. Johnsrud. The VPAPP then determines the start date of the new Baccalaureate degree at the University of Hawaii system campuses.
The creation of a new Baccalaureate degree may seem like a long process, but in the end a degree is offered for college students at Maui College. These college students may share the same dilemma as me. They may also see the importance of education for children even if it is in another language such as Hawaiian. The University of Hawaii Maui College is on the right path of offering Hawaiian studies as an academic subject certificate.
I hope that the local community can see the importance of education on the Island of Maui. The Hawaiian people in Maui’s community are disconnected from there culture. With a Baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawaii Maui College, Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians can be educated to better Maui’s future for all of its residents.

For my English 100 class at the University of Hawaii Maui College my final assignment is to do a research paper. I decided to research the process of setting up a Bachelor degree in Hawaiian Studies at Maui College. Maui College currently has a Academic Subject Certificate in Hawaiian Studies. While researching for information I decided to interview the Vice Chancellor John Mckee. I found it interesting that he stood me up for two appointments. I remember walking in his office and a tall non-Hawaiian Woman ask if she could help me with anything. I told her how I would like the to know the process of setting up a Bachelor degree in Hawaiian Studies here at Maui College. She then proceeded to tell me the College has no plans of offering a Bachelors degree in Hawaiian Studies. I didn't understand who this woman was or what position she holds to make that decision. I then got the chance to interview Professor David Grooms who is a Professor and Interim Assistant Dean of Instruction Academic Affairs, at the University of Hawaii Maui College. He was very helpful but also shared with me how Maui College has no plan in setting up a Bachelor degree in Hawaiian Studies. I didn't understand why David Grooms kept reminding me of the Colleges plan. My question was simple What is the process of setting up a Bachelor Degree in Hawaiian Studies at Maui College. I could understand if I asked is the University of Hawaii Maui College going to set up a Bachelor degree in Hawaiian Studies? But it wasn't. Maui College needs to get feed back from the community. I don't think the community is even aware that there is no Bachelor degree in Hawaiian Studies at Maui college. I hope that members in Maui's community can read this blog and support a Hawaiian Studies Bachelor degree at the local College. 

Here is Links to Manoa's Hawaiian Studies School

http://manoa.hawaii.edu/hshk/

Here is a Link to Hilo's Hawaiian Studies School

http://www.olelo.hawaii.edu/

A judge has ordered officials of a Honolulu church to stop construction of a multipurpose center until the building site, formerly used as a cemetery, is cleared of all graves.

Circuit Judge Edwin Nacino ruled Friday that Kawaiaha`o Church could not continue the work until all burials are removed and the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs decertifies the site as a cemetery, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported Saturday.

Decertifying a cemetery involves clearing all human remains from the site, then advertising and holding a public hearing, the newspaper said. The church is also required to excavate at least 4 feet in search of remains.

The ruling is another setback for the leaders of Hawai`i's oldest church over the controversial project, which was delayed for two years after initial discoveries of human remains were made in early 2009.

As part of my Research paper I have to do a presentation as well.I decided to hand out surveys to 1% of Maui Colleges students which is 45 surveys. Fall semester of 2011 there were about 4,500 students. I just asked any student who wanted to take this survey.My mission is get feed back from current students at Maui college and see if they are aware that a Hawaiian studies is offered as a subject certificate and not a Bachelor Degree.

Please circle Yes or No to the following questions

1. Are you Hawaiian?

Yes No

2. Have you taken any Hawaiian language or Hawaiian culture classes?

Yes No

3. If Yes, did you have a better understanding of the Hawaiian culture and people?

Yes No

4. If No, do you plan on taking any Hawaiian language or Hawaiian culture classes?

Yes No

5. Are you aware that Hawaiian studies is only offered as an academic subject certificate The University of Hawaii Maui College?

Yes No

6. Do you feel that Hawaiian studies should be offered as a baccalaureate degree here at The University of Hawaii Maui College?

Yes No

If you would like to share any comments (optional) below:

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"The Women Of Kunia - A Visit With Sheila Valdez"

Agriculture and the ability to grow crops to feed your family is normally a good thing. But in upland Kunia, that activity is about to destroy a centuries old Heiau, one of O`ahuʻs culturally significant historical sites. And thatʻs where Sheila Valdez comes in, jumping into action with three others to save the Kunia Heiau from destruction. Donʻt miss our visit with Sheila to see what happens and how it feels to go up against the powerful about something you truly believe in with all your heart - Watch It Here

MONDAY, December 5th 5:30 PM – O`ahu - `Olelo, Channel 53
MONDAY, December 5th At 6:30 PM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53
MONDAY, December 5th At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, December 9th At 5:30 PM – Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53
TUESDAY, December 6th At 7:30 PM, THURSDAY, December 8th At 7:30 PM & SATURDAY, December 10th At 8:00 PM - Kaua`i - Ho`ike, Channel 52

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This was on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Website:

Proposed settlement community meetings
On November 16, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie announced that the State of Hawaii and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are discussing an agreement in principle, subject to legislative approval, relating to income owed to OHA from the public land trust. If ultimately approved, this agreement will finally resolve claims relating to OHA’s share of public land trust revenues from November 7, 1978 to July 1, 2012.

OHA will be holding a series of community meetings in December 2011 and is also taking comments here. To submit comments, please e-mail kakaako-comments@oha.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Here is the schedule for the meetings:

MAUI
Maui Waena Intermediate School, 795 Onehe‘e St., Kahului, Dec. 2, 5 to 7 p.m.

On Dec. 2, 2011 I attended the community meeting at Maui Waena School. Community members were offered pupu's and a copy of the power point that would be shown. This power point explained the purpose and land in Kakaako that will be used for payment to OHA. There are 10 parcels of land that Governor Abercrombie is giving to OHA. My problem is that 2 of the land parcels that Governor Abercrombie is giving to OHA is ceded land. A community member at the meeting said "so now you like returning the keys to my car!" I feel that the 2 parcel of land that is already the Hawaiian people should be returned and an additional 2 parcels of land should be given. I also feel that Governor Abercrombie should be returning land throughout all the islands so everyone benefits. 

If any one has comments please e-mail:

kakaako.comments@oha.org.

Hawai`i is not, and has never been in or a part of the United States.

So you cannot secede from something you've never been legally part of.

You cannot quit something you didn’t join. You cannot resign from something to which you don’t belong. You cannot divorce from someone to whom you were never married.

Hawai`i regaining its independent status is a matter of reinstatement; of putting something back into its rightful place.

Since Hawai`i was never lawfully made a part of the United States, its rightful place is still that of a sovereign, independent nation.

The current status of Hawai`i is that it’s people, lands and government are being held captive by the US.

The Hawai`i independence movement is not seeking to secede from a bad union, it is seeking freedom from captivity, and the freedom to resume Hawaii’s status as a sovereign and independent nation.

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