Wehi ʻŌlelo

Read this article in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

By Ka Hui Wehi ʻŌlelo

Aloha Māhina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi! This month, the Hawaiian language celebrates a historic milestone with the release of Wehi ʻŌlelo, the first dictionary written entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. The name Wehi ʻŌlelo, meaning “language is a gift,” reflects its role as a groundbreaking resource for learners, speakers, and communities. This modern, monolingual digital-only dictionary blends conventional definitions with multimedia features like sound, images, and video clips. Set to launch in the last week of February on wehiolelo.org and ulukau.org, users are invited to explore Hawaiian vocabulary enriched with example sentences, cross-references, and audiovisual media. This is exemplified by a curated collection of 95 oli and mele Hawaiʻi terms, complete with recorded examples by Kalena Silva and Keliʻi Ruth.

Why is a monolingual dictionary significant? As ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi grows, Wehi ʻŌlelo affirms its status as a living language – not a relic of the past. It serves as a cornerstone, empowering fluent second-language learners and native speakers to engage directly with the language, free from reliance on bilingual dictionaries. With just under 1,000 entries at its launch, Wehi ʻŌlelo is a tool with humble beginnings and great potential for classrooms, homes, and communities where the language thrives.

The journey began when Kepano Trussel, a skilled lexicographer, technologist, and Hawaiian speaker, proposed the idea of a monolingual dictionary. Using his expertise, he compiled a rich corpus of Hawaiian literature and definitions, primarily from Ka Hale Kuamoʻo publications. This vision inspired the creation of Kōmike Aʻoaʻo Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelokahi, a committee of educators and language experts, which laid the foundation for the project. In 2019, it entered its proof-of-concept phase with support from Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani and Kanaeokana.

In 2020, the project gained momentum through a Native Hawaiian Education Program grant, Laupaʻi Aʻe Ka ʻIke Kuamoʻo. Following Trussel’s passing later that year, the team regrouped and reaffirmed their commitment to the vision. The dictionary team consolidated glossaries, refined definitions, and created the core content of Wehi ʻŌlelo, ensuring its linguistic richness and authenticity. Sunny Walker was pivotal in developing the new digital platform that powers the dictionary, transforming it into a dynamic, living resource. This platform enables seamless updates, new entries, and refinements, while its multimedia features elevate it from a standard reference tool to an immersive learning experience.

Looking ahead, the dictionary will continue to grow, with faculty and staff at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani and collaborators across the ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi community sustaining and expanding this vital work. Wehi ʻŌlelo is more than a dictionary – it is a commitment to perpetuity. As ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi flourishes, so, too, will this resource, embodying the language’s evolution and vibrancy. With every word added, the promise of “e ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi!” grows stronger, reaffirming the language’s place as a living and thriving treasure.