Each ʻIanuali (January), University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ pauses to reflect on Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s history while creating space for learning, dialogue and community gathering. This year, students, faculty and staff are once again invited to come together on campus for three days of events centered on culture, place and shared responsibility to Â鶹´«Ã½ and its future.
Now in its fourth year, the annual (HKHA) summit will take place January 20¨C22, featuring a series of free events designed to center Â鶹´«Ã½, our beloved home.
“This summit is designed to deepen our connections¡ª¡ªto oneself, others, and , or our relationships with the natural environments around us,” said Kaiwipunikauikaw¨¥kiu Punihei Lipe, director of Â鶹´«Ã½ Papa o ke Ao. “We hope that participants will have a clearer vision of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s past, present and future through bringing people together and cultivating such connections.”
Honor and healing
Hosted by the , the summit is intentionally timed to mark the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the National Day of Racial Healing, which coincides with the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. This year¡¯s programming includes pilina circles and a range of hands-on and reflective workshops centered on culture, care and place. Sessions invite participants to learn the deeper meaning of Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s national anthem Â鶹´«Ã½ ±Ê´Ç²Ô´Çʻ¨©, take part in ceremonies honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani and Martin Luther King Jr., care for campus mea kanu (plants), and engage in care-centered practices grounded in well-being and healing.
The summit will conclude with a closing plenary, Mele, Moʻolelo, & Momentum: Gifts from Moananui¨¡kea, moderated by Bruce Kaʻimi Watson and celebrating songs and stories from across Moananui¨¡kea (Pacific Ocean).
Additional offerings include self-guided audio tours that explore the layered histories of the ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ campus. Workshops and sessions will be led by Pele Harman (Native Hawaiian engagement director, UH Hilo), N¨weo Kai (campus arboretum curator, UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹) and Tia Hartsock (State of Â鶹´«Ã½ Office of Wellness and Resilience).
The free summit emphasizes learning and sharing as pathways to understanding Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s past and present while shaping a more just and thriving future. UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ is a designated , and the summit reflects the campus¡¯s ongoing commitment to healing, belonging and collective responsibility.
.
.