Teaching Inter-cultural Understanding During the First Year
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
Presentation for the Conference on The First Year Experience,
Waikoloa, Hawai‘i, 2007

E Hō Mai Ka ‘Ike
na Edith Kanaka‘ole
E hō mai ka ‘ike mai luna mai ē
O nā mea huna no’eau o nā mele ē
E hō mai, e hō mai, e hō mai ē
Grant us knowledge from above
Of the elusive words of wisdom within the chants
Grant us, grant us, grant us
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Teaching Inter-cultural Understanding During the First Year
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
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Location
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Public University
Enrollment 3,500 (approx)
Most ethnically diverse county in U.S.
Ranked 6th nationwide for campus diversity
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Adjusting to UH Hilo
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Students hail from
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State of Hawai’i
Continental U.S.
Abroad
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Variety of programs
Structured interactions
Learning host culture
“Citizens of the world”
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UH Hilo
How Do We Know?
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Increase in understanding & communicating with
Diverse cultures
Diverse ethnic groups
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Assessment
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National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
Graduating Student Survey
Alumni Survey
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NSSE
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Scores above the mean in:
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Encouraging contact
Understanding people
Increased intercultural communication
Diverse perspectives
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Graduating Student Survey
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2003-2004 students reported most gains in:
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*Knowledge of other cultures
Self-motivated learning
*Cultural awareness
*Inter-cultural skills
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Alumni Survey
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2005 Alumni reported most gains in undergraduate years in:
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Self-directed learning skills
*Other points of view
*Interpersonal skills
Employment skills
*Understanding and communicating
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Page 2
UH Hilo
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Islands and Beaches
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Video Presentation
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New, Transfer and Returning Student Orientation
Myhraliza Aala, Associate Director of Campus Center
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PKP: Check It Out, Shop or Drop!
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Exposes students to the importance of community partners
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Opportunity for local students to mingle with those from the
continental U.S. and international students
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Promotes inter-group interaction and learning
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Sodexho Hawaiian Nights Scavenger Hunt
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Information from campus tours is integrated into scavenger hunt
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Local students, students from the continental U.S. and international
countries work together as teams to learn about the campus
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Teams are arranged randomly
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Da Kine Aks
An Orientation series of cultural vignettes
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Promotes Hawaiian cultural awareness
Glimpse for students into life at UH-Hilo
Addresses issues of local language, food, and cultural etiquette
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Making A Difference & Building Community
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Emphasizes community and cultural awareness
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Collaboration between Orientation and Kīpuka Native Hawaiian
Cultural Center
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Students learn about Hawaiian agriculture and its focus on the land
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Another opportunity introducing students to the various service
activities that UH –Hilo provides
UH Hilo
Page 4
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Lu‘au Under the Stars
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Volcano National Park
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Excursion for students to experience the park through a cultural lens
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Incorporates the history of the volcano with legendary and cultural
Hawaiian stories
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Students participate in and witness a traditional offering and chant
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What Makes our Orientation Unique?
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Students learn to be culturally aware
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Encourages students from different backgrounds to meet those they
would not have otherwise met
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Strong emphasis on the importance of community in Hilo
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Peer Assistant Linkages and Support (PALS)
Ginger Hamilton, Director of Minority Access & Achievement
Program
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Peer Assistant Linkages and Support (PALS)
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A peer mentoring program for students from underrepresented ethnic
backgrounds
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Many minority students are…
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first generation
from low-income backgrounds
have inadequate academic preparation
lack role models
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Cultural values and learning differ from western academic system
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Affiliation-oriented
UH Hilo
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Social relationships are important
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Mentoring program can address barriers
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Function on academic environment
Create supportive climate
Learn from one another
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Orientation
RAP Sessions
Cultural/Community Service Activities
Ethnic Clubs
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University 101 and
Hawaiian Language In Action
Ruth Robison, Director of International Student Services
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University 101 Seminar
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3 credits
Special Populations
Meets twice weekly
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Self-contained classroom
Large group workshop series
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Writing Intensive
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United Nations Day Theme Workshops
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Conceptual framework by Greg Trifonovitch
Study Abroad opportunities
National Student Exchange opportunities
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Hawaiian Language In Action
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Na‘ilima Gaison, Instructor
Popular with students from outside Hawai‘i
Page 5
UH Hilo
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Introduction to Hawaiian cultural views
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‘Ōhana
Pono
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Hawaiian Language in Action
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Introduction to Hawaiian Language
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Total Physical Response (TPR)
Hula words & gestures
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Increase understanding of Hawaiian culture for all students
Adjustment to host culture for students from outside Hawai‘i
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Intercultural Student Retreat
Pat Williams-Clayburn, Director of National Student
Exchange
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Ho‘omaka‘ana Hou!
A New Beginning
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Intercultural Student Retreat
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Volcano Crater rim walk
Cultural caucuses
Cross-Cultural communication
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Hula and Chant
Lei making
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Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu’u
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Gathering at the Piko
Page 6
UH Hilo
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Page 7
Tending the māla
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Pū‘āla‘a / Ahalanui Pond
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International Student Association (ISA)
Kayo Yamaguchi, Assistant Director of International Student
Services
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United Nations Day
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Held every Fall
Direct experience via:
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Food sampling
Craft Display/Sales
Performance
Parade of Nations
Intercultural Communication
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International Nights
Held every Spring
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Two-night event
Traditional Performances
Opportunity to share
Opportunity to learn
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Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center
Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Director of Kīpuka Native Hawaiian
Student Center
Kanoe Wilson, Academic Support Specialist, Kīpuka
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UH Hilo
Page 8
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Kīpuka is committed to helping the UH-Hilo community achieve
academic excellence by providing various services in a Hawaiian
environment.
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Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center and Uluākea Faculty
Development Program
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Uluākea Curriculum Transformation and Faculty Development
Program
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The principle goal of our program is to support systemic change for
the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo to have a foundation based on Hawaiian
worldviews.
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Uluākea Curriculum Transformation and Faculty Development
Program
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Uluākea interprets as the Profound/Immense Inspiration. It is our
hope that our faculty will transmit this message to their students.
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The Uluākea process:
Eia Hawai‘i Lecture Series
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The Uluākea project is providing resources to UH Hilo faculty to
support their evolution into critical agents of change - a positive change for
our institution, setting it apart as a Hawaiian institution of higher learning.
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Eia Hawai‘i Lecture Series
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Future Directions
UH Hilo
Page 9
Barbara Heintz, Counselor
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What Do We Want?
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We want students to:
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Contribute in diverse settings
Adjust to culturally/ethnically diverse environments
Respect other cultures
Be open to interactions with others from diverse backgrounds
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We want this experience to have a major impact
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How Will We Do It?
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Professional development activities
Intentionally teach intercultural understanding
Certificate in Diversity Leadership
Summer Training Program for Professionals
Commit to:
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Compassion
Tolerance
Peacemaking
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He Mau Nīnau?
Are there any questions?
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University of Hawai’i at Hilo Presenters
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Ruth Robison, Director of International Student Services
[email protected]
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Pat Williams-Clayburn, Director of National Student Exchange
[email protected]
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Myhraliza Aala, Associate Director of the Campus Center
[email protected]
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Elina Fred, Sophomore, Economics/Communication Double Major,
UH Hilo [email protected]
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Ginger Hamilton, Director of Minority Access & Achievement
Program [email protected]
UH Hilo
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Kayo Yamaguchi, Assistant Director of International Student Services
[email protected]
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Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, Director of Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student
Center [email protected]
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Kanoe Wilson, Academic Support Specialist, Kīpuka
[email protected]
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Barbara Heintz, Counselor [email protected]
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
Office of Student Affairs
200 W. Kāwili Street
Hilo, HI 96720-4091
<www.uhh.hawaii.edu>
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Mahalo a Nui Loa
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo