Teaching Hiʻiaka
The longer I teach, the more I'm convinced that Hawaiʻi can be a beacon of education for the world. Rather than military might or the size of our corporations, I like many others dream of a future in which we define our greatness by the health of our citizens, the wealth of our ‘āina, and most of all, by the love that we share with each other. Education has always been a vital path towards that bright future.
As a high school teacher, I constantly think about the moʻolelo that we feed our students. It's through these stories that we build the intellectual and emotional infrastructure that will be needed to imagine better futures. I have seen how stories can nourish our young people’s courage to stand up for their convictions; and how it can activate their empathy to listen deeply to each other (a necessary foundation for any future we seek to build together).
In my time as a teacher, there has been no greater intellectual foundation than Hiʻiaka.
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I will take it one step further: I believe every child in Hawaiʻi should read Hiʻiaka.
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In the small world of my classroom, I teach Hiʻiaka to help my students deepen their understanding of love, and to help them understand the fearlessness that is required to grow into their fullest potential. Upon this kahua, we begin to explore the beautiful body of literature that surrounds Hiʻiaka, with the hope that each one of them, through the richness of these many perspectives, will arrive at their own meaning.
Included in this post are some of the resources I have used, either directly or indirectly, with my students. I hope they are helpful to interested readers, especially to the countless teachers who are working hard each day across our islands to build a better future for Hawaiʻi and the world. Like Hiʻiaka, you inspire me.
Click on the picture to purchase book.
Click on the picture to purchase book.
Click on the picture to purchase book.
What does Hiʻiaka mean to you? Create a short poem or lesson plan that shares that wisdom with future generations.
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