Ola ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi ma ka Okeanos

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Read this article in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

By Pīkake Kuniyoshi and Kalauʻihilani Robins

I ka ʻōlelo ke ola, i ka ʻōlelo ka make: Language is a vessel carrying the mana and moʻokūʻauhau of the Hawaiian people. For Hawaiian Language Month, we reflect on how ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi shaped our work as cultural liaisons aboard the NOAA Okeanos Explorer research vessel, as language was a central element of our contributions.

Aʻo aku: As kumu, we made a conscious effort to introduce conversational ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. During daily piko (meetings/spaces to ground ourselves), we taught crew members how to introduce themselves, greet others, count, and two chants. This was valuable because crew members could use basic conversational skills at home in Hawaiʻi and aboard the ship. Additionally, we shared moon phases, huaʻōlelo (Hawaiian words), and ʻōlelo noʻeau/ʻōlelo pōkole (wise sayings/short sayings). In any case, we were very intentional about sharing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and made sure crew members understood what we were teaching them and the contexts behind them. We did not want the culture or the language to seem performative or superficial. Our practices, including the introduction of conversational ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, fostered a strong sense of connection among us, enriching our understanding of the ocean’s spiritual and cultural significance.

Aʻo mai: Although our primary roles aboard were as kumu, we were also learners. We made significant efforts to talk to everyone aboard and learn their kuleana on the ship. We were so inspired by everyone’s careers and responsibilities that we developed curricula in which we translated job titles, such as “seafarer” (mea holomoana) or “junior officer” (luna ʻōpio) into ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. The task of translating these job titles reminded us that ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is vibrant and adaptive, capable of encompassing the complexities of modern science while retaining its poetic essence.

As Hawaiian Language Month unfolds, let us remember that ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not merely a means of communication but a way of life. It holds the key to our past and future, ensuring we navigate our world purposefully. E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi!


Pīkake Kuniyoshi is a project manager for the UH Sea Grant College Program, board member for Ka Lau o Ka Lāhui, and kamaʻāina to Waipiʻo, Oʻahu. She has a deep passion for mālama ʻāina throughout the entire pae ʻāina. Her work is grounded in interdisciplinary biocultural approaches encompassing marine biology, botany, education, and graphic design.

Kalauʻihilani Robins is a kumu at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, specializing in ʻōlelo a moʻomeheu Hawaiʻi. Guided by a deep commitment to perpetuating ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge), she develops curriculum rooted in Hawaiian culture-based education, creating opportunities for students to connect with their heritage in contemporary ways to strengthen their Hawaiian identity.