Na Hunahuna ‘Ike Project (Fragments of Knowledge)

Awaiaulu, Inc. will increase the number of qualified Hawaiian Knowledge Keepers/Historians capable of unlocking significant knowledge in Hawaiian language repositories.  Cultural indoctrination and assimilation have effectively erased significant aspects of Native Hawaiian self-identity.  One and a half centuries of valuable historical information, cultural knowledge, reflections on societal change, and human perspective are contained in the Hawaiian language repository but have been largely inaccessible for well over a century and still is beyond the reach of most people today.  To implement this project, two out of the five available expert Hawaiian historical scholars will train 12 hand-selected Historian Trainees from different professional sectors.  These 12 Trainees will directly apply their skills gained in this training to their professions, practices, and communities. In addition, over 150 community educators from 68 community groups and educational institutions on 6 Hawaiian Islands will participate in a Professional Development workshop.  This project aims to achieve an enlightened Lahui Hawai’i (Hawaiian nation, race, people) immersed in the knowledge of cultural values, beliefs, practices, and responsibilities and well-versed in their traditions and history.