Ka mahele hoonaauao o ke aupuni o Hawaii: Public education in the Hawaiian kingdom (1825-1854)

Abstract

He Houluulu i ka Manao Nui - AbstractWhile on a diplomatic envoy to England in 1824, Liholiho Kamehameha II passed away, and his younger brother, Kauikeaouli, was proclaimed Kamehameha III at the age of 10. Upon his ascension, Kamehameha III quickly reaffirmed his father’s, Kamehameha I’s, commitment to literacy and education. Under his reign (1825–1854), the Hawaiian Kingdom became one of the most literate nations in the world. This dissertation, Ka Mahele Hoonaauao o ke Aupuni o Hawaii: Public Education in the Hawaiian Kingdom (1825-1854), investigates how Hawaii achieved such remarkable educational outcomes in a relatively short period. Using a historical single-case study design grounded in a Kanaka research paradigm, this study examines the structure and processes of Hawaii’s early educational system, including governance, personnel, policy, and instruction. It also explores the cultural values and societal norms that underpinned the system’s development and success. By centering aboriginal Hawaiian perspectives, this work contributes to the broader understanding of educational innovation in the 19th century and highlights the significance of cultural foundations in driving systemic change. The findings suggest that the integration of Hawaiian epistemologies and leadership played a critical role in the rapid rise of literacy and education during the reign of Kamehameha III. Na Huaolelo - Keywords: Hawaiian Kingdom education, Kanaka paradigm, cultural values, societal norms