Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 Ianuali 1984 — HOʻOMAU KA ʻOLELO [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOʻOMAU KA ʻOLELO

Moses K. Keale, Sr.

The move bv the Board of Education to recognize Hawaiian as a form ol' instruction, at least for Niihau, is also the recognition of what has been going on for years. 1 believe that having the instructional language in Hawaiian followed by English will increase our children's participation in the educational system. 1 speak from experience when I say it is difficult for a child to learn new skills when the instructions and explanations are given in a language just being learned, especially from a teacher whom one knows ean explain things well in a more familiar language. Again from experience I know well that our children will be more productive in the schools when they are confident of their own language and culture. How will this concept be accomplished? Too many times we have seen experts, specialists or consultants sent to tell us what we should learn. What we want are the tools of education and

the skills to use them. lf the purpose of education is to help our children to make their own decisions in life, and for Niihau people that is whether to return to or to live off island, then they should have the wisdom and skills to make a living in either world without any great conflict. That is our goal. lt should be known onee and for all that Niihau and its people are not curiosities for study or experimentation. We are practical, imaginative and creative peopie. We have able and experienced Niihau people, in various professions, who ean develop programs for our chilren. After all, our future and the future of the island will be in the hands of those children. lf anyone is to make a final decision, accept the responsibility and the blame it must be this generation of elders and adults from Niihau, no one else. We are independent people - Niihau i ke kiku: Niihau leans firmly back!