‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i Month: College of Hawaiian Language launches series of short video lessons on ‘ōlelo
The videos are designed to give viewers an immersive approach to learning ‘ōlelo using common Hawaiian words and place names found in Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island.
In celebration of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Month (Hawaiian Language Month), the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is presenting short video lessons in ‘ōlelo (the Hawaiian language) hosted by students from the Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.
The first release of the “Hua Maka” video series is on Feb. 8, 2021. The videos are designed to give viewers an immersive approach to learning ‘ōlelo using common Hawaiian words and place names found in Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island.
The series is available on social media through the Hale Kuamoʻo Hawaiian Language Center‘s Instagram and UH Hilo’s social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Plans are also underway to broadcast the audio portion on University Radio Hilo KUHH 101 FM.
Written and filmed by students from the College of Hawaiian Language, each video focuses on a single word with examples of usage, spoken entirely in Hawaiian. English captions are included for those who aren’t fluent or familiar with the language.
Lecturer and Curriculum Specialist Kamalani Johnson named the program “Hua Maka,” referring to huaʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian words) that will serve as points of origin for people to hear, speak, and use ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi on campus, encompassing “hua” of “huaʻōlelo” (words) and “maka” of “hoʻomaka” (start up). He also facilitated the process by leading students from Jason Cabral’s third level Hawaiian language class in both word descriptions and video filming. Videos are edited by student videographer/photographer Kapuakea Isaak of the Office of University Relations.
“It is my hope that Hua Maka serves as an entry point for our university community to learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, both Hawaiian place names and Hawaiian words relevant to our place, so that we do our part in perpetuating ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi,” says Johnson.
Kolokea Kauaʻula, a student at the college, shares her perspective of Hua Maka in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi: “Noʻu, he koʻikoʻi ʻiʻo nō ka noke mau ʻana i kā kākou ʻōlelo ma nā ʻano hana like ʻole i loko nō o ko kākou ola. ʻO kēia papahana Hua Maka, ʻo ia kekahi o nā mea a kākou e hana nei i mea e ō mau ai ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. He papahana ia e kamaʻāina ai iā Hilo nei a leʻaleʻa nō hoʻi. I koʻu manaʻo, e ō mau ana nā inoa o nā wahi pana o ia ʻāina a me ko kākou mau aliʻi ma o kēia papahana no ka pono o ke kaiāulu.”
Johnson translates: “For me, itʻs important that we strive to revitalize our ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in various aspects of our life. Hua Maka is one way ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi will live on. It’s a project that familiarizes people with Hilo in a fun and innovative way. I believe the place names, storied places, and our chiefs of Hilo will live on through this project for the benefit of the community.”
Read full media release in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi with translation.
Weekly words posted throughout the month:
