February is Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaii, Hawaiian Language Month: Maui Now

In celebration of Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawaii, Hawaiian Language Month, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement will partner with Native Hawaiian organizations to host Ola Ka ʻĪ events, Hawaiian language fairs, on O’ahu and Maui.

Hawaiian language speakers and learners of all ages and community members are encouraged to participate in the free day of events featuring student performances, storytelling, make and take stations, games, information booths and a Hawaiian language competition for K-12 students.

“Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i is an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on ‘ōlelo Hawai’i and encourage more people to speak Hawaiian and have spaces and opportunities to celebrate and use it,” said Kūhiō Lewis, CEO of CNHA. “Forty years ago there were fewer than 50 ʻōpio who spoke fluent ‘ōlelo Hawai’i, where our language was almost extinct. Today, more than 3,000 students are enrolled in 28 Kula Kaiapuni, more than 8,000 study Hawaiian at the university level, and more than 26,000 individuals identify as Hawaiian speakers.”

In 2013, the month of February was recognized as Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i, Hawaiian Language Month, to celebrate and promote the use of the Hawaiian language. Like most indigenous languages ​​around the world, the Hawaiian language has faced significant declines due to colonization.

Over the past 40 years, Hawaiian immersion schools, most notably ʻAha Pūnana Leo, have revived the language and produced a new generation of mānaleo, native speakers of Hawaiian as their first language. The resurgence of Hawaiian language and culture is due in large part to the Hawaiian Renaissance.

Ola KaʻĪ events hosted by Kūlaniākea, Ke Kula ʻo Kamakau, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Pūʻōhala, ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Kanaeokana and CNHA are held in celebration of Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i.

The Ko’olau O’ahu event was held on January 28th at Windward Maui.

Upcoming events include:

Ola Ka’e Maui Nui
Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Queen Ka’ahumanu Mall (Maui)

Ola Ka ʻĪ ʻEwa
Saturday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Ka Makana Ali’I (O’ahu)

Ola KaʻĪ was first held at Windward Mall in February 2020. Ola Ka ʻĪ, which translates to “language flourishes,” brings our community together to revitalize and normalize the use of ‘ōlelo Hawai’i.

The immersive format of the Hawaiian language is a distinctive component of Ola KaʻĪ, which was developed to accommodate the growing number of school-age children and families attending Hawaiian language schools in Hawaii. The event features student performances, storytelling, make and take stations, games and information booths.

This year there is a new hoʻokūkū ʻōlelo Hawaiian or Hawaiian speech contest for students in grades K-12. To enter the competition at any of the Ola Ka ʻĪ events, please send an email [email protected] for a link to register.

For more information about Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai’I and upcoming events, visit mahinaolelohawaii.org.