How do I apply for the HAP Designation?
Instructor-based
Approval is given to an instructor + course combination. Thus, each person teaching a section of the course must submit their own proposal to be approved. Once approved, the course section(s) will be designated as satisfying the HAP Focus requirement for three (3) years. At the end of the approval period, the designation can be renewed for five (5) years.
Course-based
Course-based designations are for courses that inherently meet the H-focus hallmarks, and all course sections will be offered as H-focus. These courses must fit the following criteria:
- Inherency of Focus* – All course syllabi demonstrate that the course meets the Hallmarks of the Focus designation requested, either because the Focus is inherently a part of the course content, or because the discipline has dictated that all sections of the course will meet the Focus Hallmarks.
- Focus course coordinator – The discipline must designate a Course Coordinator who will ensure that all course instructors are aware of the course’s Focus designation and teach the course in accordance with the Focus Hallmarks. This Course Coordinator will report to the HAP regarding approved instructors.
Course-based applications are approved for a (5) five year term.
*Notes on the “Inherency of Focus” criterion – (1) The course may meet the Hallmarks either because (a) course content dictates it or (b) discipline policy dictates it. (2) Courses that involve content relating to a Focus area but can be taught without meeting all of the Focus Hallmarks do not meet the inherency criterion. For example, a course may involve writing but provide little guided writing instruction. That course is not inherently Writing Intensive. (3) Courses for which one instructor has developed a syllabus that meets the Focus Hallmarks, but which other instructors can teach without meeting all of the Focus Hallmarks, do not meet the inherency criterion.
Existing Courses
Once you have determined whether you are applying for instructor-based or course-based designation, submit the appropriate application form and supporting documents to the Leeward Community College HAP Board. The HAP Board accepts applications each semester (effective the following semester).
If the Board determines that the proposal does not adequately address the Hallmarks, the proposal may be revised and resubmitted. If the course needs substantial revision, Curriculum Committee action will be required.
New Courses
If a new course is being developed, it may be submitted simultaneously to both the Curriculum Committee and the HAP Board, but the Board will wait for a Curriculum decision by Faculty Senate before acting.
All approved syllabi must include the following statement:
This is an HAP designated course, which covers the intersection between Native Hawaiians, Asians and Pacific Islanders. This course counts as an H-focus course towards all Associate of Arts Degree at Leeward Community College and transfers to all participating campuses in the UH system.
Terms and Restrictions
- For first-time designees, the H-focus designation may be given only for a 3-year period. Thereafter, renewals of the previously approved course and instructor last 5 years at a time.
- Once given a H-focus designation, the course cannot have a Foundations designation.Once given a H-focus designation, the course cannot have a Foundations designation.
- For both instructor-based and course-based designations, the course with that specific instructor will carry the H-focus designation and be required to meet the Hallmarks each time the course is taught.
- Designations will not be awarded to un-staffed sections.
Associate of Arts Degree Requirements
Leeward Community College requires students to take one (3 credit) Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific (H-focus) course as part of the Associate of Arts Degree.
For more information go to the Leeward Community College A.A. Requirements page.
Articulation to Mānoa
A HAP multi-campus articulation agreement has been signed. As a result, course sections offered in Spring 2009 or later that have been given a HAP designation at Honolulu CC, Kapiolani CC, Kauai CC, Leeward CC, Maui College, Windward CC, UH Mānoa, and/or UH West Oʻahu will articulate to any of the other participating campuses as fulfilling the HAP Focus requirement.
For more information, go to the Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific (HAP) Systemwide Board.
Approved HAP Courses
Board Members 2024-2025
- Tracie Losch, Chair, Arts and Humanities, tlosch@hawaii.edu
- Kaleʻa Silva, Social Sciences
- Momi Kamahele, Arts and Humanities
- John Laimana, Arts and Humanities
- Ian Kekaimalu Lee, Arts and Humanities