Kamakakūokalani

FACULTY

& STAFF

WORLD CLASS INDIGENOUS LEADERS

At Kamakakūokalani, our exceptional faculty and staff inspire students daily through collaborative research, engaging coursework, and meaningful interactions, fostering a dynamic and enriching academic community.

Mana‘o from the Director

Welina Mai Kākou

It is with deep humility, gratitude, and a clear sense of kuleana that I step into the role of Director for the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies. As we open this new chapter, I want to honor the foundation laid before us—by our kūpuna, our visionary founders, and the leadership, faculty, staff, and students whose dedication has made Kamakakūokalani a beacon of Hawaiian scholarship, sovereignty, and cultural renewal. We stand firmly on their shoulders as we continue to nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and practitioners for our lāhui.

Our Path Forward In the coming years, our shared focus will remain rooted in: Academic Excellence & Innovation: Expanding our research, curriculum, and creative platforms to uplift indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary Hawaiian and Pacific issues. Community Connection & Stewardship (ʻĀina & Kai): Strengthening our partnerships with local communities and ancestral places to ensure our scholarship directly serves our land and people. Student-Centered Empowerment: Providing a vibrant, supportive, and grounded space where our students thrive culturally, intellectually, and professionally. Kamakakūokalani is more than an academic center—it is a community and a home for Hawaiian thought and action. I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, students, and broader community as we chart this course together. My door is open, and I welcome your ideas, collaboration, and shared vision for our collective future.