Assistant Professor Hawaiian Language

Employer: Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (US)

Salary: Minimum: $76,812 annually, depends on qualification

Date Posted: Sep 1, 2025

Position Type: Faculty Positions, Education, Administrative, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs

Employment Level: Assistant Professor

Employment Type: Full Time

Institution Type: Public Four-Year Institutions

Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Hawaiian language in various modes of instruction (in-person, online, hybrid, etc.) related to Hawaiian medium education, and other courses as needed.
• Maintain a record of peer-reviewed research and scholarship, as well as the production of this knowledge in various forms, including but not limited to publications, performances, cultural exchanges, creative works, and other products of scholarly value.
• Research, develop, and implement innovative, effective, and culturally grounded Hawaiian language courses, curricula, programs, pathways, and/or pedagogies, including those for online/distance learning modalities, particularly those which support the development of Hawaiian medium educators.
• Provide support to Hawaiian medium education programs, such as Hawaiian immersion schools, Hawaiian language charter schools, and other Hawaiian language-focused education programs in partnership with other programs and colleagues both within UH Manoa (e.g., College of Education) and beyond, primarily in the Hawaiian language development of prospective and current educators.
• Collaborate in the recruitment of prospective Hawaiian medium educators as well as the coordination and implementation of the BAM pathway (combined Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian (HAW) and Master of Education in Teaching (MEdT) pathway).
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in their courses of study, including chairing and serving on graduate student committees in Kawaihuelani and in other programs.
• Provide service and support in areas of expertise to enhance and expand the goals of Kawaihuelani, Hawaiinuiakea, UH Manoa, and other related communities.
• Engage in and/or create professional development activities in partnership with other University departments or community programs.
• Participate in faculty/administrative committees in service to Kawaihuelani, Hawaiinuiakea, and the University.
• Work collaboratively and collegially with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Actively participate in Kawaihuelani initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree in Olelo Hawaii or closely related field from an accredited institution; ABD may be considered if completed by October 1, 2025, as confirmed by an official letter from the graduate division of the attended University or committee chair or advisor.
• High degree of fluency, proficiency, and communicative competence in spoken and written Hawaiian and English.
• Evidence of successful experience in peer-reviewed knowledge production and dissemination in various forms, including but not limited to dissertation, publications, performances, cultural exchanges, creative works, and/or other products of scholarly value, while showing potential to become an established scholar within the discipline as substantiated by record of academic research recognized by peers in similar fields of study.
• Evidence of successful university-level teaching, as substantiated by recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Evidence of successful experience in curriculum development, including the incorporation of both cultural knowledge and practice within language acquisition curriculum, and as substantiated by sample curricula developed by the applicant, recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Familiarity with Hawaiian educational approaches and a capacity for the practical application thereof.
• Demonstrate the ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines effectively.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively and collegially with students, faculty, staff, and administration as substantiated by recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with Native Hawaiian communities.
• Evidence of supporting and/or collaborating with the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program and/or other Hawaiian language-focused education programs.

NOTE: Minimum qualifications must be met by October 1, 2025. If ABD, then documentation of ABD status is required by October 1, 2025 as confirmed by official letter from graduate division of attended University or committee chair or advisor.

Desirable Qualifications

• Established record of academic research recognized by peers in related fields of study with articulated connections between Hawaiian language and Hawaiian culture and/or practice.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching in Hawaiian medium education programs (e.g., Hawaiian immersion schools) as substantiated by recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Evidence of successful experience in developing Hawaiian language undergraduate and/or graduate curriculum as substantiated by sample curricula developed by the applicant, recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Evidence of successful experience in developing curricula for use in Hawaiian medium education, as substantiated by sample curricula developed by the applicant, recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Evidence of successful development of curricula and/or programming that either recruits or will potentially recruit students into pre-collegiate Hawaiian medium education career paths.
• Evidence of successful implementation of Hawaiian educational approaches as substantiated by sample curricula developed by the applicant, recent student evaluations, peer evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Evidence of successful experience in advising students, for example, membership in and/or leadership of graduate student committees, recent student evaluations, and/or current professional references.
• Evidence of successful experience working with Hawaiian medium education programs (e.g., Hawaiian language immersion) in a capacity beyond that of a classroom teacher.

To Apply:

To apply, click on the link below to complete an application and attach the required documents. For inquiries: Jeffrey Chun-Lum; 808-956-4321.