A. Kuuipolani Kanahele Wong

Dr. Ku‘uipolani Kanahele Wong was born and raised on the island of Ni’ihau and is the Graduate Chair and an Associate Professor of Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language. She holds her doctorate degree of Philosophy of Education in Curriculum Studies with her dissertation titled “Pukaiki Kula Maniania: No Niihau, Na Ka Niihau” from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. She recently published her book titled: “Mai Pukaiki Kula Maniania a Puuwai Aloha o ka Ohana.”

 

Dr. Kanahele Wong takes her teaching inspiration from an ‘Ōlelo No‘eau from Mary Kawena Pukui: “‘A‘ole pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi.” She recognizes the depth and significance of this ‘Ōlelo No‘eau and involves herself, her students and colleagues in learning the Hawaiian language beyond the classroom. 

 

Dr. Kanahele Wong was the founder of Kaulakahi Aloha, Lā Mānaleo and Ka Waihuna o ka Na‘auao. Kaulakahi Aloha is a professional development opportunity for Kawaihuelani faculty and graduated students to participate in a Hawaiian language engagement with the Ni‘ihau native speakers on Kaua‘i including multiple trip to Ni‘ihau island. Lā Mānaleo or Native Speaker Day is an event that Dr. Kanahele Wong created and coordinates to invite the Ni‘ihau Native Speakers from the Ni‘ihau community to present Ni‘ihau ancestral knowledge of various topics to Kawaihuelaniʻs faculty, students and the broader community at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Ka Waihuna o ka Na‘auao is a language acquisition development for graduate students from Kawaihuelani and College of Education training to become Hawaiian Language Immersion Teachers to heighten their levels of language by engaging face-to-face with the first language speakers of Hawaiian.

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Dr. Kanahele Wong also coordinates and oversees the Mānaleo Office for Kawaihuelani Hawaiian language students to engage with the Ni‘ihau Native Speakers to practice their speaking and listening skills in various topics.