Ka Papahana Kaiapuni: Graduate Perspectives on Hawaiian Immersion Education

The broad theme of this study focuses on a specific means of language retention in the face of the larger issues surrounding language loss amongst indigenous cultures. Focusing on the graduates of Papahana Kaiapuni, Hawaiian language immersion program in the state of Hawai'i, this study was undertaken to help parents decide if this particular program is a good educational choice for their children, and subsequently if not ultimately if they believe language retention is important, and why. Research was based on surveying the graduates of Papahana Kaiapuni and then interviewing a cross sample of some of these graduates and their parents. The findings illuminated the positive impact this program has had on their lives through effects on language use and development, cultural values, identity development, and their own personal contributions within the context of community.

This paper is useful for anthropologists, ethno-botanists, ethno-musicalogists, curators and students of museum studies, students and teachers of cultural studies, linguistics, and geography.

Though the research yielded an overwhelmingly positive experience in Hawaiian immersion programming, it is recommended—given the opportunity and resources—to expand the study to other indigenous communities for a more broadly writ basis of comparison.

*Author is of Hawaiian descent, whose personal experience as both an educator and a parent in this particular immersion experience should be noted.