1978 Hawaiian Language— State Constitution recognizes Hawaiian as an official language; today, it is one of two states to give indigenous languages the same status as English (Alaska being the second state).
1986 Hawaiian Studies Program—The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Hilo offers world-class, innovative programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, in Hawaiian Language to perpetuate the culture and result in fluent Hawaiian language speakers who are committed to- and live- the Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian Language program also offers certificate programs.
1987 Ka Papahana Kaiapuni— The State Department of Education creates the K-12 Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i Language Immersion Program for public and charter schools, complementing the Punana Leo Hawaiian language private preschools, to ensure keiki are raised with ‘Olelo Hawai'i and can teach future generations. The program has grown from an enrollment of 152 in 1990 to 3,100 in 2017, graduating 21 successive classes of students through 2019.
1997 Ka Haka ‘Ula O Keʻelikōlani— To revitalize Hawaiian language and culture, UH-Hilo establishes the Ka Haka ‘Ula O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, the only school focused on indigenous language at a comprehensive public university. This enables UH-Hilo to provide not only bachelors and masters programs in Hawaiian Studies and language, but a world-leading PhD program that has positioned UH-Hilo as a global leader in indigenous language revitalization efforts for the world. Ka Haka ‘Ula has also taken on a leadership role in preparing teachers for Hawaiian Immersion schools across the islands.
1997 Ka Huli Ao Center For Excellence In Native Hawaiian Law— The UH Law School establishes an academic center that promotes education, scholarship, community outreach and collaboration on issues of law, culture and justice for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific and Indigenous peoples.
2003 The John A. Burns School of Medicine at UH Mānoa— Establishes the Department of Native Hawaiian Health to develop a comprehensive program to improve the healthcare status of Native Hawaiians, including through the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence and the ʻImi Hoʻōla Program.
2006 ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center— As part of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, ‘Imiloa brings together members of the Hawaiian and astronomy communities to share a common vision for the future, bringing information about cultural and natural history of Maunakea each year to 66,000 students, teachers, local residents and visitors from around the world.
2007 Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge— Starting in 1970 as a Hawaiian Studies option in Liberal Studies that has grown to the nation’s only indigenous college in a research institution, approved by the Board of Regents in 2007, the school offers bachelors and masters degrees to “pursue, perpetuate, reach and revitalize all areas and forms of Hawaiian knowledge. The college includes Kamakakūokalani Hawaiian Studies Program, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, Ka Papa Lo‘i O Kānewai Cultural Garden, and Native Hawaiian Student Services. The services program supports an estimated 2,600 Hawaiian students annually, the largest body of indigenous students in any post-secondary educational institution in the world.