n. University, college; formerly high school

Yesterday we learned haumana. Student. Today we honor the many students who are graduating from the “BIG SCHOOLS”. Kula = school. Nui = big. Big School. University or college. As two words that is exactly what it would mean. Big school. But when you see it written together it refers to a university or college. And certainly most colleges are a great deal bigger than what most of us are accustomed to when we are in high school.

Although in “old” Hawaiʻi there was no such thing as a formal kula with walls and a roof, much less a kulanui, that doesn’t mean the the level of intelligence or achievement was not equal or exceeded that which we can achieve today in undergraduate and post graduate studies. Certain haumana did, indeed, focus on a specialty field for many years, oftentimes since early childhood. These would include those focusing on spiritual and religious studies as well as those specializing in different medical fields (healing broken bones, obstetrics, healing using medicinal herbs, etc.). Canoe carving, navigation, are a couple more examples.

Kulanui kaiāulu – community college

Hele kaʻu keiki i ke kulanui o Hawaiʻi ma Hilo – My child goes to UH-Hilo.

Naʻu e hana nei ma ke kulanui – I am the one working at the university.

Copyright: 2016 – Liana Iaea Honda. All rights reserved. All versions of “He Momi e Lei ai”, in its entirety, past and present, is the property of L. K. I. Honda. Reproduction and use of any kind other than the sharing of this website is prohibited. Alteration to the original content in any form is prohibited in every and any instance, and use in any other variant is prohibited without written consent of the author. Adress inquiries to: hemomi [at] gmail.com. Definitions and wise sayings are from: Hawaiian Dictionary by Pukui and Elbert, 1986. ʻŌlelo Noʻeau – Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings by Mary Kawena Pukui, 1983.