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Mareva Minerbi, Lecturer in Dance, Cohort 3

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Mareva Minerbi, Lecturer in Dance, Cohort 3

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Aloha Kākou,

I am so grateful to all of the Kawaimanomano Kumus for having shared their knowledge of Hawaiian culture, values, history, and language with us. I enjoyed each beautifully planned lesson. Through them I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for Hawaiian culture and connection to Pu‘uloa and Wai‘anae. Many of the teachings offered ways to connect with with our Hawaiian and local students.

I also enjoyed bonding with my colleagues. Often times on my communte to and from campus, I find myself chanting "Hālau Pu‘uloa." I am reminded of us chanting together with Kumu Momi and of our Huaka‘i to Wai‘anae with Poki.

A big Mahalo to Erin Thompson for having created this invaluable program.

Mahalo Nui,
Mareva

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Marc Bresler - Chemistry Lecturer - Cohort 4

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Marc Bresler - Chemistry Lecturer - Cohort 4

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Aloha Kākou,

I am a lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry at Windward and Leeward Community College.   I am submitting my testimony to express   how supportive and important my training via the Ka waimanomano Native Hawaiian Professional Development Program has been.

The lessons were a most encouraging and morale  boosting experience.  The emotional, spiritual and cognitive support of the cohort have enhanced my productivity, and engagement as a teacher at both Community colleges.

The opportunity to interact with other teachers, be blessed with the spiritual uplifting chants, and develop my knowledge of Hawaiian culture and practices have all  been  an integral  part in my progress as a new teacher.

The connections I have made with colleagues have been helpful and enlightening.  I have met professors and staff who have helped  not only to increase  my knowledge   (and interest) in Hawaiian studies and practices,  but have also afforded the possibilities for inter-disciplinary discussions. Then there was also the unique experience of learning how to chant, and practice the Hawaiian language!

​     Practicing the Hawaiian language and being taught greetings and concluding phrases has also allowed me the confidence to progress in my communication as an effective facilitator.  I know that the warmth and welcoming style has increased my confidence to engage in positive ways.

​     Finally, on a personal level when I have felt overwhelmed  or discouraged as a new teacher, (insight) learning about the  chants and being made aware of  sacred places on the campus where we are able to restore and reconnect with the land have been invaluable to my success.  In addition, having time to discuss common challenges we face as educators has given strategies, methods and positive attitudes  to manage common place hurdles we may face as educators.

​I look forward to continuing and completing my training in the Ka waimanomano Native Hawaiian Professional Development Program.

Mahalo Nui Loa,

ʻO au iho nō me ka mahalo,

Marc

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This piece that I was able to produce because of the lessons in Kawaimanomano sums up perfectly the brilliance of this PD. I still get chills reading it. 

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I can't say enough about the value of this program. 

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I can't say enough about the value of this program. 

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This professional development opportunity has had a profound effect on me and has helped me begin to carefully reshape my course materials to better recognize, respect, and honor cultural values and preferred learning environments. I enjoyed every part of the program. The attached presentation sums the highlights for me.

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Merissa Bunton's Ka Waimanomano  Hōʻike Presentation   SD 480p

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I'm grateful to have had the chance to be a part of Kawaimanomano. The focus of the program is centered on connecting faculty with culturally-sustaining approaches and pedagogies. It asks each individual to consider their own postionality and sense of responsibility in relation to the college's mission to serve its communities, especially its Native Hawaiian communities. Most importantly, it provided me with additional tools to implement what we learned in authentic ways in the classroom. It had a significant impact on me and my teaching.

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Moana Makaimoku (Cohort 3, Kīpuka, Native Hawaiian Center, He Loa Ke Aho Project Coordinator)

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Moana Makaimoku (Cohort 3, Kīpuka, Native Hawaiian Center, He Loa Ke Aho Project Coordinator)

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Kawaimanomano is the innovation that has fueled and continues to fuel indigenous understanding and mālama for all faculty, staff, and students a part of Leeward CC.  The life of this program exists because of aloha from all faculty and staff who readily volunteer and teach each cohort and each class. Created was a hale, a safe space for learning, acceptance, and community.

In the midst of a pandemic and new place of work, I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned alongside cohort 3, and become a part of ka ʻohana Kawaimanomano. Mahalo nui loa for this amazing culture of indigenous learning and sharing.  The best part is this is only the beginning. As itʻs name suggests, “the many waters” will soon find itʻs way to the haumāna we all serve. E ō e Kawaimanomano!

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I think Kawaimanomano should be the first professional development project every new faculty member needs to take part in. I never thought that after fifteen years of living in Hawaii, I'd need and am capable of reconnecting to this land, its history, and its soul. And this is what happened when I participated in Kawaimanomano. I can't single out one session of the project as I enjoyed all of them, starting from oli lessons with Kumu Momi and ending with our field trip to Waianae. I've been to Waianae many times (I got my driving license there after all), but only during our filed trip, I realized the essential difference between passing by (in ontological sense) and living in place, listening to the place, hearing the place...

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When I first heard about Kawaimanomano's first cohort, I wanted to do it! But I had a new baby at home and it was in person and it just wasn't the right time for me. Finally, at Cohort 3, the stars aligned and I was able to participate. This is one of those rare personal development opportunities that understands that a meaningful way to encourage faculty to build up their students is by first building up the faculty. So many professional development series leave me feeling as if I'm pouring from an empty vessel already. Kawaimanomano filled my cup each week so that I had a breath of fresh air to help my own students. The lovely, non-judgmental group was wonderful and the leaders did a great job of meeting us all where we were. I now recommend this program to the lecturers I supervise!

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Aloha kākou,

I was part of the first cohort of Ka Waimanomano and it was a very meaningful experience for me. I expected to learn a little about language and history, but it was much more than that. I had the opportunity to learn about my colleagues and the students we serve and the richness of the land of Puʻuloa. I felt more grounded in my work since this program. I encourage everyone to be part of this and recommend the other UH colleges to incorporate a program like this. This is so special and everyone can gain something from it.

Naʻu me ke mahalo,
na Tiffany

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I feel very fortunate that I participated and benefited from the work of the dedicated group of Kumu who developed, organized, and shared their knowledge through the Kawaimanomano Project. My favorite session was “Waianae-Sense of Place” where Poki presented his home from a Native Hawaiian and historical perspective that put Waianae in an entirely new light. Also, I appreciated the process in which I was made to feel connected to Puʻuloa, the historical and contemporary place. Finally, words cannot describe the joy of being spiritually embraced in a collective voice chanting Halau Puʻuloa with colleagues, welcoming others to this special place.

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The Kawaimanomano Native Hawaiian Professional Development Program was an unforgettable experience that provided both personal growth and an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues. I was able to reflect on my background and where I came from—making meaningful connections between Hawaiian culture, place, and my own discipline in geography. I was excited to apply what I have learned to my classroom by creating new assignments that include ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. I believe this program demonstrates that awesome things can be achieved through collaborative learning and I was so happy every week (for 8 weeks) to be in zoomland with dedicated and engaging kumu and colleagues!

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Aloha mai kākou!

There's much to be said about Ka Waimanomano and its direct impact on those who have participated in the program. For me personally, it was all about the opportunity to enrich and fine-tune my perspective on Hawaiian culture and its relation to our institution's goals and mission.

The program provided a deeper dive into the types of shared values and traditions that make Hawaiʻi a very special place. I definitely learned a lot during my time in this program. Attached is an assignment that we had to complete. I think this sums up my experience in a nutshell.

A warm "Mahalo Nui" to Erin Thompson for spearheading this project and bringing something special and meaningful to our campus! <3

E Ola Pono,

Boy