Due to COVID-19, the Kīpaepae Executive Committee will be following UH guidelines to ensure we are keeping our campus ʻohana and community, and communities surroundings us safe during these times. We will not be hosting face-to-face kīpaepae for the time being until further notice. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Kīpaepae Committee chairs No’el Tagab-Cruz or Malu Dudoit.
Kīpaepae as a ceremony is necessary for the introduction and transition into new spaces; it is a physical welcoming of an individual or individuals into a particular space as well as the nurturing of the spiritual transition into new environments and new understandings. The kīpaepae anchors the relationship of the spirit to its new environment. Encoded in the word kīpaepae are the words: kī, which means to direct focused energy; paepae which is to provide sustained support; and pae, which means to reach shore or land. Through this definition of kīpaepae, the individual(s) are recognized for reaching a particular platform and thus are being supported by a community in which all their energies are focused and dedicated to the affirmation of coming ashore, in reaching a newness, and together physically and spiritually being reacquainted to one another, to the environment, to the space, and to the encompassing energies.
Prior to submitting a Kīpaepae request, you are required to meet with Malu Dudoit for all UH Hilo requests or Kauila Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani for HawaiʻiCC and all other requests.
If you submit a kīpaepae request before meeting with Malu or Kauila, your request will not be reviewed until you meet with them.
If you have any questions, please contact Malu Dudoit (dudoitd [at] hawaii.edu) for UHH requests or Kauila Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani (kauilas [at] hawaii.edu) for HawaiʻiCC and all other requests.
