Learn Hawai'i Lifeways and Connect to Native Consciousness

Strengthening Native Identities through Community, Practice and Environmental Kinship.

What is Pilina 'Ōiwi?

Pilina 'Ōiwi

Pilina ‘Ōiwi is a space for ‘ōiwi (natives) to pilina (connect), to community, practices , and the environmental kinship that is foundational to most indigenous cultures. Pilina ‘Ōiwi is a safe place for native Hawaiians, especially those who are caught up in the diaspora and separated from homeland, to strengthen identity, connections, and knowledge by joining a community of learners with similar goals. Pilina ‘Ōiwi also welcomes other natives, indigenous peoples, and anyone interested in connecting to community and the environment through indigenous knowledge systems. By providing learners with a foundation in Hawai’i life ways through practices such as hula and oli, and loina (Hawaiian values), learners can navigate their native consciousness in a western world and build healthy environments and communities.

Our Programs

Our Learner Programs

In an effort to serve our native communities, we have several platforms available to learners of all stages. We offer a series of progressive, cumulative online courses in Hawaiian consciousness, practices, and environmental kinship. Our learning platform includes a community page for announcements, events, workshops, and other learning opportunities. Pilina ʻŌiwi also works with school districts, businesses, and community partners to build individualized programs through our School & Community Collaboration outreach.

Foundation Courses: Hawai'i Lifeways

Kūkulu He Pūnana ʻIke is our knowledge nest building program, where you are introduced to the Hawaiian landscape and the native lens through hula, oli, moʻolelo, kuahu, hana noʻeau, and more. After completing these classes you have the option of joining Hālau O Kanahele.

School & Community Collaboration

Hoʻokanaka, becoming a person, represents our workshop series and presentations for K-12 schools and colleges. We also work with community organizations to develop educational seminars and educational performance.

Hālau O Kanahele

Once learners have completed the foundational courses in Kūkulu He Pūnana ʻIke, they can choose to join Hālau O Kanahele, our ongoing program to perpetuate ancestral knowledge and ways of knowing, grounded in hula and environmental stewardship. Hui Kanahele is our online class where learners will continue to kūkulu, to build their knowledge nests, and dive deeper into ancestral knowledge and ways of knowing. This class meets twice a month online, including crossover meetings with in-person classes from Hālau O Kanahele.

Testimonials

What Our Learners Say

"In a world where identity becomes increasingly important, this class has helped me strengthen, define, and learn about myself with respect to the perspective of the ancestors."