Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures

Undergraduate Study:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Philippine Language and Literature (concentrations in Filipino or Ilokano)
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Interdisciplinary Studies (concentration in Hindi, Indonesian, Samoan, Sanskrit, Thai, or Vietnamese)
Certificate in Indo-Pacific languages (Burmese, Hindi, Ilokano, Indonesian, Samoan, Sanskrit, Filipino, Tahitian, Thai, or Vietnamese)

The BA in Hawaiian Language is no longer offered through the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, but is a part of the Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge established by The Board of Regents, effective July 1, 2007. Click here for more information on the Kawaihuelani Hawaiian Language Program.

Website: www.hawaii.edu/hipll

Academic Program

Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures provides instruction in the languages of the Indo-Pacific area to a broad spectrum of students at UHM. The department’s coverage of these languages is unique in the U.S.: this is the only department in the country to offer a BA degree in Hawaiian language and the only one to offer every national language of Southeast Asia, as well as classical and modern Indian languages. Beyond language, the department offers courses in the literatures and cultures of the area, including literature in translation of Hawai‘i, South and Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. Opportunities are available for study abroad in certain areas. The department at UHM provides an opportunity without parallel elsewhere in the country for students to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the languages and cultures of that part of the world that encompasses more than 25 percent of the Earth’s population and an unusual diversity of peoples.

Students of Indo-Pacific languages and cultures can also enhance their opportunities to find a career in international relations; provide service to the community in such fields as social work, public health, nursing, medicine, and law; perform research on Asia and the Pacific; and develop cross-cultural awareness and understanding in Hawai‘i’s multicultural environment.

Major-Related Skills

In addition to discipline specific content, East Asian language and literature majors have the ability to:

listen carefully and pay attention to detail.

understand and communicate well in a second language.

acknowledge one’s own value system as well as those of others.

translate oral and written communication from one language to another.

understand the influence of historical and cultural information and influences on contemporary life.

communicate diplomatically and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Declaring Hawaiian or Philippine Language & Literature as a major

Click here for a form-fillable major declaration form. Complete the first page of the Declaration of Major form and print two copies. Make an appointment with a faculty advisor in the Department of Hawaiian & Indo-Pacific Languages and Literature to discuss your interests, major requirements, and course selection. The advisor will complete the second page of the form. Two copies of the completed form should then be turned in to the service counter for Arts & Sciences Student Academic Services.
Note: Click here if you are adding a second major - you will need to use a declaration of major form that has not been pre-filled to declare one of the HIPLL majors as your first major. Click here for concurrent degree requests (i.e., between A&S and another college or different degree programs within A&S, such as concurrent BA and BS degrees).

Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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