In a creative effort to deepen understanding of Â鶹´«Ã½ʻs rich cultural heritage, the at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ has unveiled a monthly social media campaign aimed at fostering learning and connection. The will feature posts on NHPoL¡¯s Instagram () that highlight significant Native Hawaiian cultural, historical, or commemorative events. Viewers are then invited to engage by sharing their own moʻolelo (stories) inspired by the featured event.
“This project emerges from campus conversations and acknowledging the need to learn more about Â鶹´«Ã½ while also celebrating the diversity of our communities,” said Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, director of NHPoL.
Inspirational moʻolelo
NHPoL debuted the project with a post in May honoring late Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake¡¯s lā hānau (birthday). Viewers were asked to share stories of influential wahine (women) leaders in their culture, family or community. The post prompted users to reflect on the wisdom passed down by these wahine and how they have served as sources of inspiration. One of the responses came from Wiliama Sanchez, a staff member from UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s .
Sanchez¡¯ post in May 2024:
“My mother has truly taught me what it means to authentically care for myself, my family, and my community. Every morning before I head out to work, she tells me ‘uplift the lāhui.’ My mother has dedicated her life to caring for the children of Â鶹´«Ã½ as a Social Worker with Child Welfare Services.”
Breathing life into connections
The driving force behind this initiative is Kamakani Albano, a graduate student in who is leading the project at NHPoL.
“It is my hope that through featuring our various stories, we remember our kuleana (responsibility) to Â鶹´«Ã½ and her keiki (children), while breathing life into the connections we have to one another across cultures, ʻāina (land) and genealogies,” Albano said.
Connect with NHPoL
NHPoL encourages the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ community to keep an eye out for the monthly posts and to share their stories via direct message on . Responses will also be posted on .