Keiki voices ignite Hawaiian Language Month at University of Hawaiʻi

Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Language Month, is observed each Pepeluali (February), and University of Hawaiʻi is hosting a series of events to uplift Hawaiʻi’s native tongue.

This year’s University of Hawaiʻi-sponsored events began Jan. 30 at Windward Community College in Kaneohe, Oʻahu.

The annual Nā Leo Hiehie o ke Koʻolau, a hoʻokūkū ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language speech competition) had 120 student participants from kindergarten through high school sharing memorized passages and original speeches delivered entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi during the event at Hale ʻĀkoakoa (Campus Center).

“I’m a kaiapuni [Hawaiian medium school] mom, so this is really close to my heart, as well as to get to see our keiki, the ʻōpio [youth] get up there and be proud of themselves,” said Windward Community College Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg in a university release about Hawaiian Language Month activities. “We hope for these children to feel comfortable while they’re here today to have a really good time and see that the college really values them for who they are and where they’re from, and come to us when they’re done.”

The competition — co-sponsored by Kanaeokana, ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs — evaluated students in several categories, including pronunciation, fluency and grooming.

It featured students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawaiʻi ʻo Kahuku Academy, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Hauʻula, Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau, Kūlaniākea and Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Pū‘ōhala.

“Speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi as a community, as a lāhui, when our kūpuna [elders] were banned from speaking their language, it means a lot to be able to do this,” said Kahuku Academy Hawaiian immersion student Pakalana Kaniho, who took home one of the competition’s top honors, in the release.

The Windward Community College event marks the first of six hoʻokūkū ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi hosted by University of Hawaiʻi this Pepeluali.

Hundreds of keiki are registered to participate in upcoming competitions at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, University of Hawaiʻi-Maui College, University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Kauaʻi Community College.

“When you look at our children, they’re thriving! They’re all so excited,” said ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi President Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier in the release. “What I would like them to know is the Hawaiian language is not only for your classroom. It doesn’t only happen in your hale [home], but it’s gonna happen everywhere whether you go to the gas station, valet your car, in the university, in academics, in all sorts of places.

“We know that Hawaiian language is alive.”

Winners from each event will go on to perform at Ola Ka ʻĪ, a statewide series of free Hawaiian language fairs in public spaces throughout this month and March.

The annual celebrations are sponsored by community organizations, schools and nonprofits committed to Hawaiian language and culture on each specific island.

Visit the Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi website for additional information about statewide events.