Hawaiian Immersion Education
Why Teach Hawaiian Immersion Education?
A Hawaiian immersion school (often called a Hawaiian language immersion school or Kula Kaiapuni) is a public or charter school in Hawaiʻi where instruction is conducted primarily in the Hawaiian language (‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i) rather than English. Hawaiian immersion schools began in the 1980s as part of the Hawaiian language revitalization movement, after decades when Hawaiian had been banned from public schools. The first immersion program opened in 1987, and now there are multiple Nā Kula Kaiapuni Hawaiʻi across the islands, operated by the Hawai‘i Department of Education and various charter schools.
Here are compelling reasons why someone might choose this path:
- Language Revitalization: To help preserve and promote ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, contributing directly to the revitalization of the Hawaiian language for future generations.
- Cultural Connection: To honor and sustain Native Hawaiian culture, history, and values by integrating them into daily teaching and learning.
- Community Impact: To serve and uplift Hawaiian communities through culturally grounded, place-based education that strengthens identity and pride.
- Holistic Education: To teach in an environment that values the whole child—intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and cultural growth—aligned with Hawaiian ways of knowing.
- Bilingualism and Worldview: To support students in becoming fluent in both Hawaiian and English, fostering broader perspectives and deeper understanding of identity.
- Professional Fulfillment: To be part of a movement that blends education, culture, and advocacy, offering a deeply meaningful and purpose-driven teaching experience.
Career Information
Hawaiian Language Immersion is identified as a high-need field for the state. The state of Hawaii employs an average of ??? new immersion teachers each year.
As of 2024-2025 SY, the starting salary for all licensed teachers range from $53,390 – $68,753 and teachers can advance in pay throughout their career towards a salary of $101,371. In addition, Hawaii offers salary differentials to teachers who are licensed and are teaching in the highest need fields and the highest need geographical areas.
- Special Education teachers = + $10,000
- Hawaiian Language Immersion teachers = + $8,000
- All teachers in the following hard-to-fill geographic locales:
- Tier 1: Kea‘au & Pāhoa Complex Areas = + $3,000
- Tier 2: Kealakehe, Kohala, Konawaena and Lahainaluna Complex Areas = + $5,000
- Tier 3: Honoka‘a and Ka‘u Complex Areas = + $7,500
- Tier 4: Hāna, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Nānakuli, and Wai‘anae Complex Areas, as well as, Olomana School and Hawai‘i School for the Deaf and Blind = + $8,000
Note: Salary differentials are stackable (e.g., a special education Hawaiian Language Immersion teacher in Nānakuli could earn and additional $26,000 per year). Differentials are contingent on annual renewal of state budget and funding.
Licensure Information
A Hawaiian Language Immersion teaching license qualifies you to teach in a Kaiapuni school at the grade level the pursue licensure in.
Content Knowledge Verification
There is no Praxis exam available for Hawaiian Language. Therefore, Hawaiian Language Immersion applicants must be fluent speakers of Hawaiian as demonstrated by a B or better in HAW 402 (UHM) or KHAW 404 (UHH) and meet the content knowledge requirements for their subject area.
Program Information & Options
The College of Education at UH Mānoa partners with many state community colleges that offer associate degree pathways in education. Those who complete their associate degrees through these programs can seamlessly transition to one of our UH Mānoa bachelor degrees with an elementary licensure track.
Associate Degree Partners – Complete first and then transfer to BEd in Elementary for licensure
- Kapiolani CC A.A. in Liberal Arts, w/concentrations in:
- Elementary Education
- Elementary & Hawaiian Language Immersion
- Second Language Teaching – Campus-based option only (in-person)
- Leeward CC A.S. in Teaching
- Maui College offers tuition-free prerequisite education coursework through the Hoapili Teacher Pathway (available to all students across the UH system). This pathway includes offering hawaiian language courses for free an in an accelerated sequential format so that candidates can obtain the content knowledge requirements in a more streamlined timeline.
Note: Dual Licensure Pathways – Dual licensure pathways allow candidates to earn two separate teaching licenses at the K-6 grade level and can be completed in the same amount of time, and for the same cost. Dual licensure programs do often require some additional courses, however, UH Mānoa provides a 12-credit tuition cap, therefore the dual licensure courses are offered at no added cost. Upon graduation, candidates can take positions in either licensure field and having specialized in two areas often makes them more marketable or attractive to school administrators.
Bachelor Degree options: Candidates can pursue licensure in elementary only, or there are many specialized dual licensure opportunities available at the undergraduate level.
- Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education (K-6)
- Elementary & Hawaiian Language Immersion track
BAM (Bachelor and Master) Program Option at UH Mānoa:
Master Degree options: For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, we offer a graduate program for initial licensure in elementary, as well as offering two dual licensure options as well.
- Master of Education in Teaching
- Dual Hawaiian Language Immersion Track (K-12)
Post Baccalaureate Certificate options: For those who already have a bachelor’s degree or higher, we offer a shorter, 18-month program for initial licensure in elementary.
- Post Baccalaureate Certificate, Secondary Education (6-12)
- Hawaiian Language Track
Funding Opportunities
Grow Our Own (GOO) Stipends: For candidates pursuing the Elementary & Hawaiian Language Immersion track, the Grow Our Own Teacher Initiative (GOO) stipends may cover 54 credits of tuition (about $25,000). Applicants must apply and be accepted for the GOO stipend. Priority criteria are used for selection; please refer to the Grow Our Own website for more details and a link to the application.
Financial Aid & Scholarships: Browse through all the different funding opportunities on our website: coe.hawaii.edu/funding
Getting to Know Us
Meet some of our faculty, students, and alumni in the field of elementary education!
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