Read this article in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
Greetings to all from the sun rays in Haʻehaʻe to the setting of the sun on the sea at Lehua and to all those throughout the four corners of mother earth. Aloha!
February is Hawaiian language month, a time to strengthen and support the native language of Hawaiʻi, the mother tongue of the Hawaiian people. Thanks to former Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his support in signing Act 28 in 2013 dedicating February as Hawaiian language month.
This year, seven Ola Ka ʻĪ events are happening on four different islands. The goal of these events is to hear our beloved language in every corner of our community. Here are the dates for these events:
- February 1: Ola Ka ʻĪ Koʻolau at Windward Mall (Oʻahu)
- February 8: Ola Ka ʻĪ Hilo at Prince Kūhiō Plaza (Hawaiʻi) and Ola Ka ʻĪ Honolulu at Kahala Mall (Oʻahu)
- February 15: Ola Ka ʻĪ Maui Nui at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center (Maui)
- February 22: Ola Ka ʻĪ ʻEwa at Ka Makana Aliʻi (Oʻahu)
- March 1: Ola Ka ʻĪ Kona at Keauhou Shopping Center (Hawaiʻi) and Ola Ka ʻĪ Kauaʻi me Niʻihau at Kukui Grove Center (Kauaʻi)
Ola Ka ʻĪ means the “Hawaiian Language Thrives” and thanks go to a student at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo S.M. Kamakau who gifted this event name in 2020.
Each of the events held at the shopping centers will include Hawaiian language speakers, Hawaiian immersion and charter schools, music, games, prizes, and so much more. We are all excited to gather with our Hawaiian language community. A few new activities that are planned include a kōnane tournment on Kauaʻi, a hōlua sled activity in Kona, and an interactive installation honoring Keʻelikōlani.
Eō e Keʻelikōlani!
Princess Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Keʻelikōlani, also known as Luka, held fast to Hawaiian traditions that many poʻe haole and converted Hawaiians felt were outdated and had no place in a modern kingdom.
She had a large community of people she supported on her extensive landholdings, and she had a reputation of being especially caring toward elderly Hawaiians. Though she had gone to a mission school and was perfectly well-versed in English, she refused to speak it as an adult. She spoke only Hawaiian and required those who could not speak it to use a translator if they wished to communicate with her.
The interactive installation invites folks via QR codes to listen to the sounds and share what it feels like listening and reading. They will be invited to share their own personal language journey and how Hawaiian language fits in their lives.
In the end we invite everyone to join in various Hawaiian games including two new games by Kamehameha Publishing, Nā ʻOno o Ke Kai and Pāʻani Pilina.
Have you joined us at a past Ola Ka ʻĪ event during one of the past Hawaiian language months? If not, we invite you to join us because Ola Ka ʻĪ will be lots of fun.
We especially want to thank a few of our main sponsors this year that are helping to support all the Ola Ka ʻĪ events: ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, Kanaeokana, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Kauaʻi Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
For more information on Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi events and a complete list of sponsors, go to https://www.mahinaolelohawaii.org/
