Our Story & Mission
In May 2009, representatives from various higher education institutions came together with a mission:
Providing professional development opportunities to Hawai’i’s early childhood educators so that they can competently meet the needs of young children and their families in a culturally and individually responsive manner.
Layers of Meaning
Kaulanakilohana was the name chosen to represent the community of interwoven voices for Early Childhood Higher Education in Hawai’i. As with many terms in the Hawaiian language, the name Kaualanakilohana has many layers of meaning.
We thank Noelani Iokepa-Guerrero for the creation of our organization’s name. Noelani is an educator in Hawaiian medium from UH Hilo and Aha Punana Leo.
- Kaulana means famous, celebrated, renowned.
- Kilohana means the top most layer of a bed covering, best, superior, most prized.
- Ulana means to weave.
- Kilo means to watch closely, to examine, to observe, to forecast.
Our members include representatives from Chaminade University, University of Hawai’i – Mānoa College of Education, University of Hawai’i – Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – Family Resources, University of Hawai’i – West Oahu, University of Hawai’i – Hilo, Maui College, Hawai’i Community College, Honolulu Community College, and Kauai Community College. (small text)
For more information about Kaulanakilohana, please contact Theresa Lock.