Maya Saffery

Curriculum Specialist
Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language

Maya L. Kawailanaokeawaiki Saffery was born and raised in Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu and is an ongoing student of the language and culture of her ancestors. With a Bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian Language and both a Master’s and PhD in Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM), she serves as the Curriculum Specialist for Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language at UHM. In this capacity, she is responsible for researching, developing, implementing, and evaluating graduate and undergraduate curricula for use within Kawaihuelani as well as out in the broader community. Her research interests include approaches to ʻāina education that honor and nurture the development of kanaka-ʻaina (people-land) relationships in all aspects of the curriculum and pedagogy, ʻŌiwi research methodologies, and development of culturally grounded, interdisciplinary Hawaiian language undergraduate and graduate curriculum.