Exploring the music of language

Just in time for Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo PhD candidate Nick “Kealiʻi” Lum is turning social media into a classroom for cultural deepening.

Hiʻona Haku Mele, Lum’s new Instagram video series, invites learners to explore the poetic soul of Hawaiian music, going beyond conversational speech to uncover the unique lexical phrases that make mele (songs) distinct.

“There are specific pieces of language and ways of expression that make mele unique and separate it from common speech,” Lum explained, adding that he was inspired by Kahikina De Silva, Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, who recommended that Lum document these poetic devices in his dissertation.

Hiʻona Haku Mele launched on February 1st on the @pewamusic and @kanaeokana Instagram accounts, and new episodes will drop every Monday and Thursday throughout the month. Each minute-long video highlights a specific term, explains its function, and provides examples from recorded albums. “ʻAuhea” — listen, heed my words — is featured as the first episode’s offering.

Lum notes that while spoken Hawaiian and “mele language” share a foundation, Hawaiian haku mele (composers) use musical jargon to convey ideas more descriptively or poetically.

“Our kūpuna had ways of expressing emotion in a far more beautiful way than saying something so literal,” explained Lum. By highlighting these linguistic devices, Hiʻona Haku Mele aims to educate aspiring haku mele and music lovers alike, moving beyond literal translations to embrace the metaphorical richness of Hawaiian culture and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

The initiative is just one part of Lum’s broader academic and creative journey. As a doctoral student at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, Lum was recently named the first recipient of the Daniel and Lydia Makuakāne Endowed Scholarship and Fellowship. This prestigious award honors the Makuakāne family’s lifelong advocacy for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and supports scholars dedicated to indigenous language revitalization.

The fellowship supports Lum’s dissertation, “Pewa: I Ola ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi i Kona Mele ʻia” (Pewa: So That the Hawaiian Language Lives through Its Song), and his album, Pewa. Lum believes that mele is “logogenic,” meaning the words hold more weight than the musical treatment. His work bridges the gap for younger generations, proving that traditional language can thrive within modern soundscapes.

With the support of Kāhuli Leo Leʻa and Kanaeokana, Hiʻona Haku Mele is more than just a musical or lexical lesson, it is an active practice of rejuvenation. “We wanted to put out more content that is accurate and closely related to the vision we have for revitalization,” said Lum.

Follow the series on Instagram at @pewamusic to watch the latest episodes. E aʻo like kākou — let us learn together.