Advocating for Widespread Use of ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i

Students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Pū‘ōhala were among the 1,000 Hawaiian immersion school haumāna that spent the morning of Feb. 16, 2018 at the Capitol and helped announce 2018 as the “Year of the Hawaiian”. The other O‘ahu-based immersion schools in attendance represented Mā‘ilikūkahi, Ānuenue, Hau‘ula, Kahuku, Kamakau, Pūnana Leo ‘o Wai‘anae, Pūnana Leo ‘o Pū‘ōhala, Pūnana Leo ‘o Honolulu and Pūnana Leo ‘o Mānoa. In their goal to increase awareness of valuing ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i in all contexts, they visited legislators, took part in the Year of the Hawaiian Proclamation Ceremony, took part in sign waving on King St. and attended special ceremonies in the Senate and House Chambers honoring leaders in the Hawaiian language movement. - Photo: Nelson Gaspar

Waimea Ocean Film Festival on tour

Each January, the Waimea Ocean Film Festival presents more than 60 films on Hawai‘i Island, increasing understanding of the ocean environment and island culture through giant surf, marine life, international expeditions and ocean action and adventure.

This year, Matson is bring a selection of these films to O‘ahu on March 23 and 24 at Hawai‘i Theatre. Once finalized, the film schedule and ticket prices will be posted on the websites for the Hawai‘i Theatre Center – hawaiitheatre.com – and the Waimea Ocean Film Festival – waimeaoceanfilm.org.

Celebrate science all month long

The Hi-Sci Festival at Bishop Museum celebrates science throughout March with planetarium shows, scientist and researcher talks, and lectures from Hōkūle‘a crew members.

The feature event is “Fall in Love with Science Discovery Day” on March 18, which offers free admission to members and those who pre-register. Other events include “PlutoPalooza,” a showing of the “Chasing Coral” documentary on March 22, a science talk on “Exploring the Deep Coral Reefs of Papahānaumokuākea” on March 24, and “The Real ‘Moana’ Story: How Polynesians Explored, Discovered and Settled the Eastern Pacific” on March 29.

Some of the events will be held away from the museum. On March 6, Bishop Museum takes over Anna O’Brien’s for Nerd Night, where scientists will share their weirdest specimens and nerdy occupations. On March 8, a scientist evening will be presented in the Hōkūlani Imaginarium at Windward Community College.

Visit bishopmuseum.org for a full schedule and to buy tickets.

Conservation internships available

Huliauapa‘a’s Wahi Kupuna Internship Program offers a chance to learn about the culture, history and practices of Hōnaunau and Ke‘ei while earning a $1,600 stipend and college credits.

March 9 is the deadline to apply for the biocultural resource management internship, which runs July 2 to Aug. 3. Visit www.huliauapaa.org or email huliauapaa@gmail.com for information and applications.

Educational awards are also available through conservation and youth education organization Kupu, which offers summer and year-round programs of its own that provide hands-on training in green fields, as well as environmental stewardship experiences for youth ages 17-20.

“These programs offer cultural and environmental education and provide unique hands-on job training and skills that have helped so many of our program alumni to establish successful careers in Hawai‘i’s green jobs workforce,” said John Leong, Kupu CEO.

Kupu is seeking approximately 80 team members and 17 team leaders on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and west and east Hawai‘i Island. Visit kupuhawaii.org to find applications and learn more about the different opportunities.

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