Prior experiences that relate to my topic or topics of interests are the many different community organization I am active in, my B.A. in Hawaiian Studies (emphasizing Polynesian and Indigenous Studies), and my exchange to the University of Waikato in New Zealand. When I think of an area, Hawaiians come to my mind, because of my prior and current experiences. More specifically, I would like to focus on Hawaiians and Hawaiian/Indigenous education within a higher educational context.
I have been involved in my community since my senior year of high school. My grandparents and parents were also active in community and school organizations. Which have rubbed of onto me. These experiences have helped me to help better my community through different avenues. It has also allowed me to bring my background experiences from the university into my community.
The educational movements of ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Kula Kaiapuni, Charter Schools have re-awoken Hawaiian language, culture, history and values back into the Hawaiian and greater community. So there are many people overseeing these efforts. Therefore, I see the gap for post-secondary education for Hawaiians. Obtaining my B.A. in Hawaiian Studies helped to reinforce, relearn and recognize my identity. Taking Hawaiian language, learning about my culture, my history and the way my kūpuna (ancestors) lived in these islands and in the great Pacific Ocean.
Furthermore, my exchange helped me gain a greater perspective towards the study of Indigenous education, particularly Māori tertiary education. There is a huge support towards Māori tertiary education, which includes te reo Māori (Māori language) and tikanga (values) included in the administration, faculty, staff and students, campus environment, and course curriculum. To see these experiences and to be immersed in these experiences is unforgettable.
Due to these prior experiences, it has led me towards this MEd in Educational Administration, with a focus in higher education. Therefore, a topic I would like to focus on, is the Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language programs here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. There is little known about these programs, as far as literature, yet there is more literature about ʻAha Pūnana Leo and Kula Kaiapuni. Therefore, a goal of mines is to understand Hawaiian identity in higher education through these two programs.
Some potential advantages are understanding the context and importance these two programs have within the university and Hawaiʻi. Being that we here live in Hawaiʻi and therefore, should receive priority. My experiences have allowed me to become familiar with the faculty and staff within these two programs, and therefore, creates access to these people for information. My belief is that, it is important to understand the historical importance of these programs and how it survived till today and still continues to grow.
I believe that one disadvantage of belief, is that many people will say that it's unimportant and not needed. The belief of someones perspectives and ideas are what will make it hard. It's how to persuade and change, educate or challenge that person's beliefs. The only way to actually deal with this, is to actually do the research to make people understand. And that's what qualitative methods will help me to do, to collect and analyze the in-depth thoughts and perspectives of people.
I have been involved in my community since my senior year of high school. My grandparents and parents were also active in community and school organizations. Which have rubbed of onto me. These experiences have helped me to help better my community through different avenues. It has also allowed me to bring my background experiences from the university into my community.
The educational movements of ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Kula Kaiapuni, Charter Schools have re-awoken Hawaiian language, culture, history and values back into the Hawaiian and greater community. So there are many people overseeing these efforts. Therefore, I see the gap for post-secondary education for Hawaiians. Obtaining my B.A. in Hawaiian Studies helped to reinforce, relearn and recognize my identity. Taking Hawaiian language, learning about my culture, my history and the way my kūpuna (ancestors) lived in these islands and in the great Pacific Ocean.
Furthermore, my exchange helped me gain a greater perspective towards the study of Indigenous education, particularly Māori tertiary education. There is a huge support towards Māori tertiary education, which includes te reo Māori (Māori language) and tikanga (values) included in the administration, faculty, staff and students, campus environment, and course curriculum. To see these experiences and to be immersed in these experiences is unforgettable.
Due to these prior experiences, it has led me towards this MEd in Educational Administration, with a focus in higher education. Therefore, a topic I would like to focus on, is the Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language programs here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. There is little known about these programs, as far as literature, yet there is more literature about ʻAha Pūnana Leo and Kula Kaiapuni. Therefore, a goal of mines is to understand Hawaiian identity in higher education through these two programs.
Some potential advantages are understanding the context and importance these two programs have within the university and Hawaiʻi. Being that we here live in Hawaiʻi and therefore, should receive priority. My experiences have allowed me to become familiar with the faculty and staff within these two programs, and therefore, creates access to these people for information. My belief is that, it is important to understand the historical importance of these programs and how it survived till today and still continues to grow.
I believe that one disadvantage of belief, is that many people will say that it's unimportant and not needed. The belief of someones perspectives and ideas are what will make it hard. It's how to persuade and change, educate or challenge that person's beliefs. The only way to actually deal with this, is to actually do the research to make people understand. And that's what qualitative methods will help me to do, to collect and analyze the in-depth thoughts and perspectives of people.
