The Kīpuka staff is always available to help you!

Welo `Ohana is a philosophy steeped in tradition. With it comes ancestral memory, emotion, experience, and a consciousness of environments both physical and natural. This philosophy is the driving force of the Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Kīpuka provides a nurturing foundation that empowers Kanaka toward attaining heightened potential in all their undertakings. Kīpuka supports the Native Hawaiian students and faculty at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo by providing a Hawaiian place for learning. Kīpuka's vision ensures a Hawaiian place of learning at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo and its mission is to promote Native Hawaiian success.

Need some help? We can help YOU!

Kīpuka is committed to helping Hawaiian students achieve academic excellence by providing the following services in a Hawaiian environment:

Tutoring - Academic support and assistance in Hawaiian Language, English, Math, Science, and selected academic disciplines

Financial Aid - Access to Native Hawaiian and other scholarship and grant information and opportunities. Assistance with filling out applications including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Academic Advising - Advice on University courses and academic majors and assistance with creating an academic plan

Technology Lab - Access to Apple laptops, PCs, printing services, and wireless internet.

Leadership Development - Develop leadership skills and strengthen knowledge and connections to Hawaiian Communities through coursework, participation in cultural experiences, and community service projects

At Kīpuka, we value the development of the Hawaiian intellect. We believe that it is our kuleana to provide opportunities for the further development of cultural knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center
200 W. Kāwili St., Hilo Hawai ‘i, 96720

kipuka@uhh.hawaii.edu - email
(808) 933-0897 - phone
(808) 974-7791 - fax