JAN 403-01 - Beyond the Postcard: Engaging Indigenous Hawai’i

Travel dates: Wednesday, Jan. 7 - Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Instructors: Ynez Wilson Hirst, yhirst@stmarys-ca.edu; Cynthia Van Gilder, cvangild@stmarys-ca.edu

Course Fee: TBD

Learn about the Jan Term Travel Scholarship for additional funding.

This fee includes:
Airfare, Local Transportation, Lodging, Meals, Excursions (e.g., museums, tours, etc.), Gratuity, Miscellaneous

Estimated cost outside of course fee:
Students will only need whatever pocket money they choose to bring: $0-$200. They will also need to purchase books for the course (about $60).

Often referred to as the “paradise of the Pacific,” Hawai’i is best known to most outsiders as a travel destination associated with sunshine, beaches, leisure, and locals who are happy to welcome visitors with aloha. In this course, students will venture “beyond the postcard” to better understand the complex cultural history of these islands, particularly as it was experienced by its indigenous inhabitants, or the kanaka maoli. Students will learn the history of Hawaiian culture before European contact, including the nature of their economic, political, and religious practices, how life in the islands changed after Captain Cook arrived in 1778, and the subsequent developments that transformed it into the cosmopolitan, multicultural state it is today.  

We will visit local museums, historical and archaeological sites, experience cultural performances of music and dance, try traditional Hawaiian foods, visit those famous beaches, and engage in exciting service-learning opportunities on the island of O’ahu. We will work side-by-side with indigenous community members helping with projects of importance to the kama’aina, or local, community, such as repairing ancient fishponds and revitalizing traditional taro patches, and in the process hear directly from them about their life experiences and visions for the future. 

Students will be in residence at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where they will engage with students and faculty members at this world-renowned research institution. There will be some free-time for island exploration via the excellent public bus system.

Week 1

• Monday, Jan. 5: On campus
  Class topics: Polynesian colonization, Pre-contact overview
• Tuesday, Jan. 6: On campus
  Test #1
  Class topic: Contact w/ Cook
• Wednesday, Jan. 7: Depart from OAK, Arrive in HNL
• Thursday, Jan. 8: Honolulu
  Welcome tour
• Saturday, Jan. 10: Honolulu 
  Field trip #1
• Sunday, Jan. 11: Honolulu
  Movie night: “Blue Hawaii”

Week 2

• Monday, Jan. 12: Honolulu
  Field Trip #2
• Tuesday, Jan. 13: Honolulu
  Field trip #3
• Wednesday, Jan. 14: Honolulu
  Field trip #4
• Thursday, Jan. 15: Honolulu
  Cultural activity
• Friday, Jan. 16: Honolulu
  Field trip #4 PCC
• Sunday, Jan. 18: Honolulu
  Movie night: “Michenor’s Hawaii”

Week 3

• Monday, Jan. 19: Honolulu
  Cultural activity
  Test #2
• Wednesday, Jan. 21: Honolulu
  Field trip #5
• Thursday, Jan. 22: Honolulu
  Farewell Dinner
  Final Presentations
• Friday, Jan. 23: Depart from HNL, Arrive at OAK

General Travel Requirements

• Attend at least 1 Health & Safety Orientation (October)

• Submit a valid passport (November)

  • Apply or renew no later than September for on-time delivery

• Submit completed & signed health forms + proof of vaccination(s) (November)

Note: Failure to complete one or more of the above requirements will result in an immediate drop from the course. Once registered, all course fees are non-refundable.

Please check the Jan Term Travel website for information session, registration, and deposit information. 

Course site

Registration

Jan Term Scholarship

Travel Health

FAQs

Credits: 3