The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo continues to be recognized for its crucial role in the revitalization and advancement of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), one of the historic hallmarks of the campus. Indigenous cultures now turn to UH Hilo to help them revive their languages. Just last fall, the campus was awarded a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a National Native American Language Resource Center.
- Related UH News story: UH Hilo to lead $6.6M National Native Language Resource Center, October 18, 2023
Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa is one of the key figures behind UH Hilo’s efforts to teach ʻōlelo. Last August, she was appointed interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at UH Hilo however for more than three decades, she has been an associate professor in Hawaiian studies and Hawaiian and Indigenous teacher education, teaching thousands of students (haumāna) Hawaiʻi’s mother tongue. Kawaiʻaeʻa also previously served as director of UH Hilo’s Hawaiian language college.
“Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani currently draws students seeking to learn our models and processes for Hawaiian, Indigenous, and endangered language revitalization from around the world,” Kawaiʻaeʻa said.
ʻŌlelo expansion
Kawaiʻaeʻa joined UH Hilo in 1992 as an educational specialist, and has served as founding director of the campus’ Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program, director of Hale Kuamoʻo Hawaiian Language Center and founding partner of Ulukau: The Hawaiian Electronic Library.
The Kahuawaiola Hawaiian and Indigenous Teacher Training Program is a three-semester graduate certificate program, delivered primarily through the medium of Hawaiian, specifically designed to prepare Mauli Ola Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian identity nurturing) teachers of the highest quality to teach in Hawaiian language medium schools, Hawaiian language and culture programs in English medium schools, and schools serving students with a strong Hawaiian cultural background.
UH Hilo is also expanding the use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in various programs and curriculum, incorporating it into courses. More faculty and staff are also learning and utilizing the Hawaiian language.
“As we continue to implement more tangible ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi revitalization efforts and increase spaces where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi lives…we will also be able to articulate the dynamics of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi within our campus model of how a university campus serves as an Indigenous-serving model,” Kawaiʻaeʻa said.
For more go to UH Hilo Stories.
