Department of Ethnic Studies

The Department of Ethnic Studies (ES) is an interdisciplinary and transnational program dedicated to enriching undergraduate education through comparative analyses of racial and ethnic groups and the inequalities among them. We specialize in advancing new knowledge at the intersections of race, ethnicity, indigeneity, class, gender, and sexuality, focusing on the unique contexts of Hawai‘i, the U.S., and Oceania. Our curriculum is grounded in an ʻāina (land) and ocean-based approach, emphasizing our four focal areas—migration, social justice, oceanic connections, and engagement. By drawing on the rich legacy of multiethnic heritages and embracing a social justice lens, we empower students to think critically and creatively about the world around them.