Looking Toward the Future: Work-Based Learning for Native Hawaiian Indigenous Youth

Throughout history, Native Hawaiians have encountered disenfranchisement and exclusion in the political, economic, and social spheres. This tragic reality is rooted in a past that denied them self-governance and pride in their cultural values, resulting in limited access to employment and educational opportunities. This chapter delves into the experiences of Native Hawaiians and their youth, exploring Hawaiʻi’s history and the impact of European contact, which stripped the island of its sovereignty. Despite these challenges, the persistence and resilience of Native Hawaiians have led to a movement to reclaim their ʻāina, or land. Programs led by Native Hawaiians are fighting against the vestiges of colonial settlement and disenfranchisement by focusing on cultural identity, educational attainments, and workforce development to enable young Native Hawaiians to flourish.