Developing Pilina: Introducing New Social Sciences Faculty to Kuleana

Abstract

For the past two years, Hui ʻĀina Pilipili: Native Hawaiian Initiative, ACCESS Engagement, and the Mālama i Nā Ahupuaʻa program, with support from the Dean’s Office, have been offering orientations for new and incoming faculty in the College of Social Sciences. This program is a one-day program focused on personal, cultural, and professional enrichment, designed to introduce faculty to kuleana. The program includes visits to various service-learning sites of the Mālama I Nā Ahupuaʻa program to learn about epistemology, culture, history, and the environment; experience examples of high-impact pedagogies provided by CSS through ACCESS Engagement; connect with a Native Hawaiian community and organization; and consider challenges faced by these community partners. A key component is hana, a workday with the organization, accompanied by essential reflections. This poster offers an overview of the orientation, participant reflections, and insights from faculty regarding kuleana.