Fall commencement at the University of Hawaii at Hilo takes on a different look this year, reflecting the view of higher education through an indigenous lens promoted by the UH System’s Hawaii Papa O Ke Ao initiative.
The program will feature a student speaker, a hula presentation about learning and growth and the awarding of degrees at 9 a.m. Dec. 17 in Vulcan Gym.
A total of 242 students petitioned for 318 degrees and/or certificates from the colleges of Arts and Sciences (233), Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (21), Business and Economics (30), Pharmacy (6) and Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language (7), while 21 others are candidates for various postgraduate honors.
Kyle James Davis, an agriculture major, will represent the graduating class as student speaker. Davis, who will receive a bachelor’s in tropical horticulture, has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.48. His academic achievements include being named to the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management dean’s list in 2013 and 2015. Davis also earned a Semester at Sea Scholarship and spent spring 2014 studying aboard the MV Explorer, traveling to nearly a dozen countries.
Davis is an ordained minister, who served five years in the U.S. Army, including more than 2 1/2 years in Iraq as a combat medic. His commencement address will draw from his numerous life experiences and include a call for his fellow graduates to broaden their horizons.
The chant-hula will be performed by Unukupukupu, Indigenous Leadership through Hula Program under the directorship of Pele Ka‘io, Hawaiian Protocols Committee chairperson, and Taupouri Tangaro, director of Hawaiian Culture and Protocols Engagement at UH-Hilo and Hawaii Community College.
Organizers expect a dynamic performance, with at least 50 people representing UH-Hilo, HCC and Waiakea High School. Gail Makuakane-Lundin, interim executive assistant to Chancellor Donald Straney, director of Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, and a member of Unukupukupu, will introduce the chant-hula, titled “‘Ulei Pahu I Ta Motu,” which was composed more than 200 years ago and documents the evolution of world view.
The chant-hula will be preceded and followed by the sounding of 20 pahu (drums) and 20 pu (conch-shell trumpets). The 20 pu also will sound honoring Moana-nui-akea (large and broad oceans) that connect Hawaii to the world.
The performance concludes with the presentation of Pa‘akai (sea salt) to honor the profound intersection where the learner transitions to graduate.
Straney said fall commencement provides a unique opportunity to showcase the UH-Hilo-Hawaii Community College Papa O Ke Ao collaboration, which seeks to make the UH campuses leaders in indigenous education.
