Reconnecting with Hawaiian Culture
Hawai‘iloa, distant Hawai‘i, is a sacred name that connects us to our voyaging history, the knowledge, tenacity, and importance of our familial connections from antiquity. It is applicable to the aspirations of this cohort, or group—to pull in our Hawaiians who have voyaged near and far from home and bind them back into the fabric of our people, culture and history through this educational endeavor.
Hawai‘iloa, a new online Hawaiian Studies program, will take you on a journey together as a cohort, and through the breadth of connections, give you multiple ways of understanding and connecting.
Program Description
Hawai‘iloa is an immersive, accelerated experience in ‘ike (knowledge) and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) leading to the Associate in Arts in Hawaiian Studies degree.
- Fully online AA degree
- 8-week online cohort; two classes taken at a time (four per semester) for two years
- Transferable to a bachelor’s degree
- Limited seats available, first cohort starts October 19, 2020
How to Apply
Welcome! Admissions for the Fall 2020 cohort of the online Hawai‘iloa Hawaiian Studies AA degree is now open. Please fill out the interest form and you will be contacted by Native Hawaiian Counselor Ku‘ulei Miranda, who will walk you through the application and registration process.
Program Costs
Native Hawaiians living in the continental U.S. and Hawai‘i residents both pay the same community college in-state resident tuition. Total cost for the Hawai‘iloa Hawaiian Studies AA degree is approximately $8,200 (resident and/or Native Hawaiian tuition).
| Fee | Resident and/or Native Hawaiian * | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $131 per credit | $345 per credit |
| Publication Fee | $1 per credit ($10 max) | $1 per credit ($10 max) |
*Non-residents may be allowed to pay resident tuition if they qualify for one of the UH Board of Regents tuition exemptions, which includes Native Hawaiians living on the continent with proof of ethnicity.
Tuition Assistance
Applicants may be eligible for financial aid via completion of a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). For the Fall 2020 accelerated semester, students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA by the start of the program on October 19, 2020. Visit fafsa.ed.gov to begin the process. Contact WCC’s financial aid office by phone (808-235-7449) or email (wccfao@hawaii.edu).
Other financial aid opportunities may become available during the program and will be disseminated as they are announced.
Please note: professional education related to your work may be eligible for a tax deduction –please check with your tax preparer.
Important Deadlines:
October 2, 2020: Final application deadline
October 9, 2020: Register for courses
October 16, 2020: Final program payment due and all admissions documents due (i.e. birth certificate for NH exemption) for those admitted
October 19, 2020: Hawai‘iloa program begins
Path of the Hawai‘iloa Voyage
Each semester is mapped out for you and your cohort with the following 8-week classes:
| Semester | Course: Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2020 (inaugural 8 weeks) | HAW 101: Elementary Hawaiian I | 4 |
| HWST 107: Hawai‘i: Center of the Pacific | 3 | |
| Spring 2021 (first 8 weeks) | HAW 102: Elementary Hawaiian II | 4 |
| HWST 270: Hawaiian Mythology | 3 | |
| Spring 2021 (second 8 weeks) | HAW 201: Intermediate Hawaiian I | 4 |
| ENG 100: Composition I | 3 | |
| Summer 2021 (8 weeks) | Math 78: College Math companion | 1 |
| Math 100: Survey of Mathematics | 3 | |
| Fall 2021 (first 8 weeks) | HAW 202: Intermediate Hawaiian II | 4 |
| SP 181: Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| Fall 2021 (second 8 weeks) | HIST 151: World History to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 284: History of Hawai‘i | 3 | |
| Spring 2022 (first 8 weeks) | HIST 152: World History Since 1500 | 3 |
| POLS 180: Introduction to Hawaiian Politics | 3 | |
| Spring 2022 (second 8 weeks) | IS 201: The Ahupua‘a | 2/1 |
| HWST 130: Hula ‘Ōlapa: Traditional Hawaiian Dance | 3 | |
| Fall 2022 (first 8 weeks) | GG 103: Geology of the Hawaiian Islands | 3 |
| ANTH 175: Polynesian Surf Culture | 3 | |
| Fall 2022 (second 8 weeks) | HWST 110: Huaka‘i Wa‘a: Intro to Hawaiian Voyaging | 3 |
| MUS 177: Introduction to Hawaiian Music | 3 |
Total: 62 credits
Join us on the Hawai‘iloa voyage. Apply by October 2, 2020. Fill out the interest form today.
