The Mana Mele Project seeks MELE HAWAIʻI (HAWAIIAN MUSIC) EDUCATORS to share their craft with O’ahu, Kauaʻi & Hawaiʻi Island youth (for duration of 2026-2027 school year or short-term)
About the Mana Mele Project
Mana Mele Kumu teach Mana Maoli’s ABCs (Academics, Business, and Culture) through Music and/or Multimedia across a diverse range of genres and styles. We serve K-12 youth, as well as alumni/ college interns across 4 islands and 23 partner schools, including all 15 Hawaiian-focused public charter schools. This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference via innovative, real-world, culture-based education alongside Hawaiʻi’s music and multimedia industry professionals.
Position: Mele Hawaiʻi/Hawaiian Music Instructor (Teaching Artist)
Locations: Honolulu, Hawai’i, Kamuela, Hawaiʻi or Kekaha, Kauaʻi
Independent contractor position through Mana Maoli, to onboard ASAP and start teaching by August 2026.
- Seeking a well-versed musician with a background in Hawaiian music and experience teaching or mentoring elementary to high school-aged youth, to facilitate “Papa Mele” at one of our partner Hawaiian charter/immersion schools. Competency in singing and/or choral/ensemble directing may be very useful. Fluency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not required, however knowledge, experience, and a desire to learn is preferred. As an instructor with the Mana Mele Project, you join a hui of kumu throughout Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, as well as a network of creative artists throughout the pae ʻāina.
Weekly teaching commitment:
- Honolulu, Hawai’i: TBD
- Kamuela, Hawaiʻi: After School up to 3 hours/week
- Kekaha Kauaʻi: 2-4 Days/Week, Monday-Thursday, 12p-3p
Contract Dates
Onboarding to happen ASAP, first day of class is no later than 10/01/2026.
Teaching through the end of May is preferred, but open to shorter duration (i.e. a few weeks) while we seek to fill this position long-term.
Weekly classes to be held an estimated 35-40 weeks across the school year, with no instruction during holidays and school breaks, and when otherwise noted.
Compensation/Hours Available
Starting at $25-$30/hr for both instructional and prep time. Prep time is 25% of instructional hours.
Besides instructional & prep hours, kumu are also paid for additional work including the following:
- Time spent completing deliverables
- Participation in mandatory and optional professional development workshops
- Quarterly check-in meetings
- Events, rehearsals and kanipila involving our youth
- Helping to produce video lessons
The primary kuleana of the kumu is to foster student enjoyment and abilities in music, and offer cultural grounding in the process. This will be done via piloting place and culture-based curriculum, developed and shared by Mana Mele’s Academy Design Team and instructors.
DUTIES include but are not limited to:
- Music instruction to Hawaiian charter, immersion and DOE youth;
- Preparing and implementing lesson plans;
- Class management;
- Facilitating rehearsals and performances;
- Completing logs and issuing assessments; and
- Attending at least 3 Professional Development training sessions during the year
Minimum Qualifications
- High School Diploma
- Strong music or performing arts background
- Reliable, on-time, strong verbal/written communication skills
- Knowledge of and/or strong respect for Hawaiian culture - willingness to learn more, and integrate into class instruction
- Lots of patience, passion, perseverance, and aloha!
Preferred Qualifications
- College degree or certificate in Education, Music, or related fields
- Grounding and/or proficiency in Hawaiian music, culture, and language
- Curriculum and/or program development experience
- Experience working with youth in Grades K-12
- Experience working in or with youth from Hawaiian charter or immersion schools, or schools in areas of high Native Hawaiian populations.
- Knowledge of music literacy and theory
- Skilled in research techniques, culture resources, and Indigenous/Western teaching practices and strategies.
In accordance with Mana Maoli employment policy, candidates for this position may be subject to a criminal background check.
How to Apply
Visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8jdf52mkHJhqfv75vlyfbUCjyAOx0bsmTt5lprnmD2L78Sw/viewform
Also, please help us spread the word by passing this announcement along to your ʻohana and friends.
Mahalo nui loa!
For more information visit:
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
