The A.A.S. Degree in the Kahu Kuʻuna Cultural Stewardship program prepares students to understand the depth and breadth of Native Hawaiian cultural practices associated with the management of natural and cultural resources in Hawaiʻi. This degree encompasses an interdisciplinary local and global knowledge base to enable the learner to participate in the protection of Hawaiʻi’s unique natural and cultural landscapes. This experience will allow the students to consider a wide variety of potential careers including but not limited to: environmental science, forestry, astronomy, anthropology, archaeology, biology, agriculture, art, music, education, social services, business, development, planning, and politics with an increased knowledge in traditional and contemporary Native Hawaiian ideology and practice.

Traditional Practice
The two-year Kahu Kuʻuna Cultural Stewardship A.A.S. provides knowledge of the traditional and technical
aspects of resource management, to participate in and perpetuate the cultural practices connected to the current management of the natural and cultural resources in Hawaiʻi.

Modern Skills
The Kahu Kuʻuna Cultural Stewardship program will develop the student’s skills in Participating in, recognizing and applying a culturally enabled approach to the management of the Native Hawaiian cultural Landscape.

Hands-On
Substantial course work will be in the field and students will be involved in current issues surrounding resource management.

Degree Objective
To provide an avenue for graduates to improve their employment and business opportunities with a deep and relevant expertise in Hawaiian culture and current challenges facing the protection of the Natural and Cultural resources.