He aha ke kīhei?
What is the kīhei?
A kīhei is defined as:
  • Shawl ... rectangular kapa garment worn over one shoulder and tied in a knot (Pukui). 
  • Name of the garment formerly worn by Hawaiian men; a loose garment of kapa thrown over one shoulder and tied in a knot; it was thrown off at work (Andrews).

Today we wear kīhei as ceremonial attire (for example, at graduation).
The I Ola Hāloa - Hawaiʻi Life Styles (HLS) program at HawaiʻiCC has adopted the use of kīhei as a symbol of personal achievement & growth during the academic journey in all HLS courses. Students enrolled in our classes will create their own HLS kīhei to reflect their advancement and experiences in the program. As you engage in an HLS course, you will add a printed band to your kīhei, reflecting your learning in that course.

At the end of your academic journey at HawaiʻiCC, your printed kīhei will reflect your personal advancement and experience in the HLS program. A full kīhei will detail the completion of the HLS courses you participated in.