Dr. Laiana Wong and Dr. Kekeha Solis, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, UH-Mānoa 

Bio: Dr. K. Laiana Wong’s focus area of teaching is Hawaiian worldview. He is interested in investigating Hawaiian as it existed during a time when there were more speakers. In order to revitalize the language, it is necessary to know its past in order to maintain a link to its present. As we constantly deal with new phenomena that did not exist in the past, it is necessary, as we use the language in new contexts, to invent news ways of speaking to accommodate those changing contexts. We must always endeavor to maintain that link as it allows us to make legitimate our claim that we are indeed revitalizing the language of our kūpuna. As part of this effort to revitalize our language, it is necessary to increase its cachet in the community. One of the primary ways he does this is by writing a Hawaiian language newspaper column each week in the Honolulu StarAdvertiser and refusing numerous requests to provide written translations in English. He is also involved in the preparation of teachers for the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program.

Bio: Dr. Kekeha Solis is an Associate Professor of Hawaiian at Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language. His dedication and aloha for his students is very apparent in his teaching style. His research covers language and culture revitalization and worldview utilizing traditional and contemporary sayings.  He teaches an array of introductory as well as upper division Hawaiian Language courses.  Kekeha is famous among his students for his ‘ōlelo noʻeau course in which students learn the wit and intelligence kūpuna had when using Hawaiian proverbs. His other popular coursework includes facilitating student voice-over projects using popular films to engage Hawaiian language learners.