Teach—But Make It Hānai: A Call for Equity in Education Through Hānai Pedagogy

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Revolutionary Pedagogies for Equity and Social Change in K–12 Classrooms (Table 17)

Abstract

This qualitative case study inquired: How do Ka Lama teachers use Native Hawaiian traditions, language, and culture in their own pedagogies? Kanaka methodologies and Goodyear-Ka’ōpua’s (2016) Methodological Ropes for Research and Resurgence were used to guide and interpret semi-structured interview data from 16 participants and 50 hours of fieldwork observations. What emerged established the seven principles of Hānai Pedagogy including: Cultural Identity, Languaging, Relationships, Community, Service, Talk Story and History. Hānai Pedagogy moves to dismantle racial injustices to construct educational possibilities by challenging oppressive systems impacting AANAPI residents of Hawai’i and the ongoing effects of colonialism in the islands. This pedagogy calls for culturally sustaining critical thinking and implementation in curricula to seek liberation through mentorship, education, and community connectedness.

Author

• Robin Brandehoff, University of Colorado - Denver