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School of Social Work students, faculty, and community partners gather for a group photo at Aina Wellness Academy.
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A cultural learning workshop led by Aunty Hiilani Shibata at Bishop Museum.
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A talk session by Austin Kino, Hokulea crew member.
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Opening protocols at Aina Wellness Academy.
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Hana, or work, at Aina Wellness Academy.
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Continuing hana, or work, at Aina Wellness Academy.
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A hands-on activity by Aunty Mahealani Kawaa.
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A final reflection session at Aina Wellness Academy.
Students in Hawai'i Pacific University's School of Social Work recently participated in the Fall 2026 Culturally Immersive Reciprocal Community Engaged Learning and Service (CIRCELS) program, a required experience for all Bachelor of Social Work students and selected Master of Social Work students. Held Sept. 18-19, the two-day program brought students together for cultural learning, community-engaged service, hands-on activities, and reflection.
The program began at Bishop Museum, where students participated in a Hawaiian language lesson led by Aunty Hiʻilani Shibata, followed by a ti leaf lei and hoʻokupu-making workshop. After learning cultural protocols led by Kumu Tammy Martin, Ph.D., a member of the HPU social work faculty, students were joined by Austin Kino of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. A crew member aboard Hōkūleʻa, Kino shared reflections on traditional wayfinding, the voyaging canoe, and his personal huakaʻi and moʻolelo. The day concluded with a guided tour of the museum.
On the second day, students, faculty, and hosts at ʻĀina Wellness Academy exchanged opening protocols before participating in a morning of hana (work) guided by Kumu Kalā Kawaʻa. In the afternoon, Aunty Mahealani Kawaʻa led a reflective "Who I Am" bag activity in which students decorated bags while exploring the concept of their village and what they carry within themselves.
The CIRCELS experience concluded with an intensive reflection session in which students and faculty presented their bags, shared stories about their villages, and connected their experiences to core social work practice concepts, including engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Through shared tears and laughter, participants built strong pilina (connections, relationships) and began identifying their own unique hōkū paʻa, or guiding star.
HPU School of Social Work Facebook Page: @HPUSW
HPU School of Social Work Instagram: @hpusocialwork
