Assistant Professor Hawaiian Studies

Title:  Assistant Professor 

Hiring Unit: Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, Hawai?inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge

Location: UH Manoa

Date Posted: 12/30/2024

Closing Date: Continuous – application review begins February 12, 2025. 

Salary Information: Salary Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Monthly Type: 9 Month

Tenure Track: Tenure

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Funding: General Funds

Other conditions: Recruiting for one tenure track Assistant Professor faculty position to start August 1, 2025. 

The Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies (KCHS) at the University of Hawai?i at Manoa is looking for an inspiring and energetic scholar to develop Hawaiian knowledge and promote educational excellence in marine resource stewardship. The University of Hawai?i at Manoa is a Carnegie Research I institution and the flagship campus of the UH System and enrolls more than 19,000 students. The University is an Indigenous-serving institution that recognizes its special responsibility to Hawai‘i and the Pacific region, reflects and embraces Hawai‘i’s diversity, location, and values, and is committed to becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. The instructional and research activities will be guided by, and incorporate core Hawaiian values. Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies is a global leader in Native Hawaiian and Pacific knowledge and ways of knowing, led by a faculty of committed kumu, scholars, activists, artists, and cultural practitioners. Our haumana are made up of the current and next generation of researchers, advocates, community leaders, and educators. The department offers BA and MA degrees.

Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies seeks a motivated and innovative scholar to join the program in advancing Hawaiian knowledge, marine resource stewardship, and educational excellence. The successful candidate will bring expertise in Hawaiian fisheries and marine resources, with a deep commitment to teaching, research, and community engagement that honors ?ike Hawai?i, and supports the sustainable management of Hawai?i marine ecosystems. This position is a unique opportunity to shape the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, develop innovative courses, and contribute to transforming fisheries programs in ways that bridge Hawaiian knowledge and contemporary scientific approaches with the needs and aspirations of our island societies. A successful candidate will play a key role in developing the next generation of Hawaiian scholars, conducting relevant research, and strengthening connections between academic inquiry and community goals across Hawai?i and the larger Moananui. Qualified candidates should possess a promising record of research, a strong creative scholarship portfolio, and be able to work on related topics in the Hawaiian community; and cultivate strong relationships with local fishing communities, indigenous groups, and relevant stakeholders for teaching and research purposes. The department is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, minimizing contemporary barriers to success, and increasing equity and completion rates among different demographics, including those from Indigenous communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Teach assigned undergraduate and graduate courses at KCHS in Malama ?Aina in various modalities.
2. Develop and teach new courses in Malama ?Aina with a focus on i?a and kai resources (fisheries and marine resources) including loko i?a, lawai?a, and other Hawaiian fishing/stewardship traditions including 3 units per year in the new fisheries graduate program. 
3. Actively participates in undergraduate and graduate advising, mentoring, committees, research, and student recruitment. 
4. Develop, implement, and lead field schools, workshops, and training sessions for students, fishers, fisheries managers, and community stakeholders across Hawai'i and the Pacific Region.
5. Conduct research, including applied research projects, related to coastal fisheries management and stewardship in Hawai?i and the Pacific Island region.
6. Provide service to the department, college, university, profession, and the broader community and contribute to the creation and instruction of a new accredited graduate degree in fisheries.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

Assistant Professor Minimum Qualifications

1. An earned Ph.D. or JD (all but dissertation (ABD) will be considered) in a field of study closely related to, or focusing on, Hawaiian Ancestral Knowledge including but not limited to Anthropology, Archaeology, Ethnobiology, Ethnobotany, Geography, Health, Indigenous/Native Studies and Politics, Law, Natural Resource Management, Planning, Oceanography, Marine Science, from a university of recognized standing. ABD candidates are eligible to apply but must complete all degree requirements prior to the appointment. 
2. Demonstrated ability and expertise in teaching and research that are related to KCHS areas of concentration.
3. Demonstrated ability to utilize educational technology in teaching (in person and/or online).
4. Demonstrated scholarly achievement and research experience including publication in Hawaiian Ancestral Knowledge and/or the ability to write/successfully receive grants.
5. Considerable knowledge of ancestral, and historical, topics in Hawai?i and the broader Moananuiakea.
6. Proficiency in Hawaiian and English including the ability to do research in Hawaiian.
7. Demonstrated experience working with Hawaiian communities on marine and other kai related issues. 
8. Poise and good address for meeting and conferring with others.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Demonstrate competence and experience teaching in higher education in areas such as Hawaiian Studies, Malama ?Aina, Kukulu Aupuni, Kumu Kahiki, and/or Mo?olelo ?Oiwi topics.
2. Ability to teach classes in Hawaiian, including the ability to translate and research in Hawaiian.
3. Demonstrate ability to attract significant extramural funding and secure grants and contracts to build program base.
4. Demonstrate diverse experience in working with, and advocating for, the Hawaiian community on issues of history, land, culture, language and politics.
5. Evidence of past leadership roles.

To Apply:

Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. Applicant must submit the following:

1. Cover letter that outlines specifically how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications, 

2. Names with contact information (including email addresses) of three (3) current professional references who can address your qualifications to the advertised duties and responsibilities,

3. Current Curriculum Vitae, 

4. One research paper related to the advertised duties and responsibilities of the position, 

5. Other relevant materials may include teaching evaluations, examples of educational technology use in teaching, co-developed community products,

6. Official or copy of transcripts that reflect degree and course work with CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION (ie. social security number, birth date, etc.) REDACTED.

If requested transcripts are unobtainable by review date, please indicate so in your cover letter. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable upon application but official transcripts will be required if selected to fill the position. Minimum qualifications must be met by the effective date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

Application material will become property of the school upon submission. Applications submitted via e-mail and/or fax will not be considered.

Inquiries: Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer, beamer@hawaii.edu.

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.  For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/