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Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Issues Focus

Hawaiian, Asian and
Pacific
(H) Focus Designation

The Focus requirements identify important skills and discourses necessary for living and working in diverse communities, such as Hawai‘i. The Focus requirements can be satisfied through major courses and Diversification courses.

HAP Designation Packet HAP focus designation proposal guide (Rev. 8/2025)
HAP Course Designation Application Form

In This Section

Types of HAP
Designations?

Instructor-based

Instructors must submit individual proposals for their course sections to get approval. Once approved, these sections meet the HAP Focus requirement for three years, which can be renewed for an additional five years after that.

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:

  1. 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 (i.e. learning outcomes), or because the discipline has dictated that all sections of the course will meet the Focus Hallmarks.
  2. 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.

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.

 

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