Classroom and Community Histories: Finding Relevancy in History Education in Hawai'i

Abstract

This thesis project focuses on history education in Honolulu. This project investigates why secondary school students are not engaged in their history classes, situating this inquiry within the political controversy regarding public history and school curricula as well as the unique demographic and geographic context of Hawai’i. Through interviews with senior citizens and history teachers, it recounts the ways in which history is taught outside and inside the classroom. Finally, it examines pedagogical strategies that history teachers use to increase the engagement of their students, and puts these strategies in conversation with Culturally Relevant Pedagogy knowledge and literature.