Curriculum deeply rooted in Hawaiian perspectives.
Professional Development Workshops
& Resources For Educators
Explore our various professional development courses.
We can come to you in person and virtually, or you can come to us on Molokaʻi!
"I took away the importance of knowing who you are, where and who you come from and how all the manaʻo you learned along the way has molded who you are as an educator. I really loved the letter to your kumu activity. Getting to really sit and reflect on the mana'o you have learned throughout life and the different people and experiences that helped you gain such manaʻo was very humbling."
Ashley Malama-Poplardo | Hoʻokumu 2.0 virtual Workshop
Ke Aupuni Palapala
Workshop Series
Inspired by the powerful words of King Kauikeaouli, the revered ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi: “He aupuni palapala koʻu; o ke kanaka pono ʻoia koʻu kanaka.” This phrase translates to “Mine is the kingdom of education; the righteous man is my man,” emphasizing his unwavering belief in the transformative power of literacy and education. In the 1800s, this commitment led to an extraordinary 98% literacy rate among the Kanaka Maoli population. We aim to weave Hawaiian culture and traditional concepts into daily teaching practices, allowing you to cultivate a stronger sense of identity, place, and kuleana (responsibility).
1
Hoʻokumu
Looking to the Source
The journey begins by exploring the genealogy of learning (moʻokūʻauhau), personal educational experiences, and the kuleana of teaching in Hawaiʻi. Participants examine Hawaiian systems of education, reflect on their own educational journey, and develop a teaching philosophy rooted in ʻike Hawaiʻi, identity, and purpose.
2
Hānai Kumu
Praxis of Hawaiian Pedagogies
Building on this foundation, educators explore authentic Hawaiian pedagogies—including ʻōlelo noʻeau, moʻolelo, mele, oli, hana noʻeau, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Makahiki games, and ʻāina-based learning—to create culturally responsive classrooms. Participants gain practical strategies that strengthen relationships, foster belonging, and increase student engagement.
3
Hoʻokahua
Designing Multidisciplinary Units Through a Hawaiian Lens
The final workshop focuses on implementation. Educators apply the philosophies and pedagogical practices developed in the first two workshops to design interdisciplinary lessons, projects, and units that integrate Hawaiian methodologies across multiple content areas while supporting the success of diverse learners.
Together, the Ke Aupuni Palapala series guides educators
through three stages of professional growth:
Know your purpose. Strengthen your practice. Design for lasting impact.
These workshops are available individually or as a series through Ke Aupuni Palapala.
Kālaiʻāina Workshops
How can connecting with Hawaiʻiʻs past empower students to shape the social and political landscapes of present and future Hawaiʻi? Grounded in culturally-sustaining pedagogical approaches, this course will strengthen participants’ content knowledge and strategies for teaching Hawaiian histories. This course will especially benefit teachers who want to teach Modern History of Hawaiʻi, History of the Hawaiian Kingdom, or any class addressing Hawaiian historical content in project-based (PBL) and ʻāina-based ways.
Ma ka Hana ka ʻIke
Workshops
How can the praxis of Hawaiian pedagogies create a positive and thriving learning environment for teachers and students? Ma ka Hana ka ʻIke workshop will empower Hawaiʻi educators with the knowledge and skills to create an environment that will strengthen teacher/student relationships and offer an effective and ethical cultural orientation. The practice and application of Hawaiian Cultural-Based Education will provide participants with the tools to comfortably and effectively lay a strong kahua- foundation to integrate Hawaiian methodologies and pedagogies into their learning practices. Through the practice and application of Hawaiian culture, participants will create a stronger sense of self, place, and kuleana in themselves and their haumāna.
Alakaʻi Academy
The Alakaʻi Academy is a three-day immersive workshop on the island of Molokaʻi, where participants engage in hands-on, culture-based practices to strengthen leadership grounded in aloha ʻāina. Through meaningful, place-based experiences, participants build pilina to self, to one another, and to ʻāina while deepening their understanding of the reciprocal relationship between ʻāina and kanaka.
Participants will reflect on their personal values and leadership philosophies while learning to adopt a culturally responsive, ʻāina-based lens to develop a pono leadership framework. Through experiential, explorative, and reflective learning, participants gain practical tools to lead with intention, strengthen relationships, and cultivate spaces rooted in ʻike, kuleana, and community well-being.
This academy is designed to transform how leaders see themselves, their communities, and their role in shaping a more balanced and connected future.
"I learned so much and look forward to implementing some of the strategies we practiced. I took pages of notes and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to be surrounded with educators who are passionate about place-based and culture-based learning experiences.
Every DOE employee needs to spend a weekend with you and your team!!!! They need to feel your energy, listen to your thoughts and embrace and utilize the concepts that were shared.
It was the best PD class I have ever taken in my 28 years of teaching...."
-Laurie Flores
ʻŌlelo Noʻeau in Practice: Reflection, Storytelling, and Classroom Application
This two-part professional development series introduces educators to Ka Hale Hoaka’s ʻŌleloNoʻeau Coloring & Lesson Books and provides practical strategies for integrating Hawaiianproverbs into classroom and counseling settings. Grounded in ʻike Hawaiʻi, storytelling,reflection, and creativity, the series supports educators in using ʻōlelo noʻeau to fostermeaningful conversations, cultural understanding, and personal growth among students.
Hoʻokūkū Makahiki: Leadership & Cultural Training (1-3 day)
Hoʻokūkū Makahiki is an immersive cultural leadership training where participants will experience Makahiki as a living system of cultural practice, wellness, competition, and community connection. The training provides a culturally responsive, hands-on learning environment that moves beyond the traditional classroom to support student engagement, academic recovery, leadership development, and connection to ʻāina and community.
Listen to Our Leo! Empowering Voices
Haku Mele
Place-Based Workshop
This workshop actively engages students in creative and artistic experiences through music and storytelling, designed to strengthen communication skills, build self confidence, and cultivate an empowered voice. Through hands-on learning, students explore multiple forms of musical and verbal expression while discovering new ways to share their ideas, stories, and place-based experiences, knowledge, and perspectives.
Private Papa Kahua
Papa Kahua is a three-hour crash course in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi with Kumu Maile that sets a foundation for beginning speakers with little to no experience. It is also highly recommended as a refresher for speakers who havenʻt practiced for a long time. In this engaging class, haumāna will learn fundamentals such as protocol, the alphabet, pronunciation, and how to ask and answer questions that are used in our everyday lives. There are no requirements for pre-requisite classes required to attend Papa Kahua.
$500 for Up to 30 attendees ($16.67/person, $1770 value)
Includes:
Registration to live virtual 3-hour crash course
Printable Workbook
Access to recorded class for 30 days
Let us craft something specifically for you!
Partner with us to create meaningful, culturally grounded learning experiences for your team. Contract us to curate a unique professional development experience tailored to your school, organization, or community. Our workshops are rooted in Hawaiian pedagogies and designed to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and deepen connection to ʻāina and culture.
Let us come to you and work alongside your team in your own learning environment, or visit us on Molokaʻi and experience our programs in our ʻāina- and kai-based settings for a truly immersive and place-based experience.
Together, we can design an experience that meets your needs and uplifts your community.