>
>U.H.-Hilo to offer degree in language studies
>
>Monday, June 30, 1997
>
>HONOLULU (AP) -- The University of Hawaii at Hilo will be the first in the
>nation to establish a graduate degree for indigenous language and be a
>model of study for various Native Americans trying to revitalize their
>native languages, Gov. Ben Cayetano said Sunday.
>
>Before about 300 Hawaiian language educators at the 1997 Native Hawaiian
>Education Summit, Cayetano signed a bill into law establishing the school.
>
>The school was set up to augment the training of teachers for the state's
>Hawaiian language immersion program.
>
>``The Hawaiian Language college will serve as a center for understanding,
>learning, and perpetuating our rich Hawaiian culture, values and way of
>life,'' he said.
>
>Several Native American groups have already visited Hawaii to study the
>curriculum and teaching styles of some public schools in Hawaii that teach
>its curriculum only in the Hawaiian language, said William ``Pila'' Wilson,
>a faculty member of the Hawaiian studies program in Hilo.
>
>A building for the new college is still years away, but the university will
>be able to begin offering some of the school's programs in the fall, he
>said.
>
>Several degrees in Hawaiian-related fields will be offered, such as
>certificates in Hawaiian language and culture, bachelor's degrees in
>humanities, and a master of arts in Hawaiian language and literature.
>
>The school will also provide various research, testing and community
>outreach programs.
>
>###
>
>
>
>