Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 12, 1 December 1988 — KS/BE Plans Additional Lectures In Hawaiian [ARTICLE]

KS/BE Plans Additional Lectures In Hawaiian

By Verlie Ann Wright and Mahealani McClellan, Kamehameha Schools Extension Education Division Since the mid-1930's, The Kamehameha Schools/Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate has conducted a Hawaiian culture lecture series. As part of this tradition, publications have been printed such as Aspects of Hawaiian Culture. In 1978, the lecture seriesre-established the tradition through the Extension Education Division, Continuing Education Program. Since then, hundreds of lectures have been conducted annually throughout the state of Hawaii on every neighboring island. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Continuing Education Program. The implementation of lecturing entirely in the Hawaiian language was introduced to provide the general public with the opportunity to listen to the spoken language and also to share their mana'o in their native tongue. On two consecutive Thursday evenings in the month of October, Sarah Nakoa, Hawaiian Resource Specialist, Kamehameha Hawaiian Studies Institute, presented a lecture entirely in the Hawaiian language to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 150 people. The lecture, entitled "Looking at the Hawaiian Language Through the Bible," was sponsored by the Kamehameha Schools, Extension Education Division, Con-

tinuing Education Program. The lecture was held at Kaumakapili Church at Kapalama, O'ahu, and Waimea Hawaiian Church at Waimea, Kaua'i. This was the first lecture delivered in Hawaiian, and all of the introductions, lecture, and question and answer period were conducted entirely in Hawaiian. The audience included many kupuna, kumu of the language, and educators from elementary, secondary, post-secondary and university school levels. Students of the language included parents of Punana Leo pre-schoolers. Bedecked with leis, Aunty Sarah began her lecture with a brief introduction and background information about herself and how she learned Hawaiian as her first language. She then described some of the missionary translators of the Bible as well as two Hawaiians, Opukaha'ia and David Malo, who were also very instrumental in translating parts of the Bible from English to Hawaiian. Mueh of Aunty Sarah's lecture was devoted to stories on morals, values, parables, and wise sayings. The lecture integrated group singingfrom the audience including religious songs such as "Ekolu Mea Nui," and ended with Hawai'i Aloha. When the audience was asked to share their mana'o of the Hawaiian language, many kupuna, and 'opio gave their thoughts about the meaning of the Bible, aM how they learned their language through thf reading, and reciting of the biblical verses. The bible also represented a way of life, and showed how to be a good person. An evaluation summary indicated that the audience would like to see more lectures eonducted in Hawaiian. Because of the enthusiasm with whieh these two lectures were received, Mahealani McClellan, Hawaiian Culture Lecture Series Coordinator will develop a resource list of potential lecturers so that eaeh island site ean have the opportunity to benefit from a lecture in Ha-

waiian. "How did the Hawaiians of old regard the Bible?" was the first and only question asked after the lecture was finished and answers and eomments from members of the audience were directed to it. The Hawaiians were particular in the care of the Bible and its plaee in the home. It was kept apart from other reading material on a special stand or table. It was afforded mueh respect andreverence at all times. The folks regarded the scriptures as if they were God speaking to them directly. They (scriptures) revealed problems in the family and also inspired answers for them in time of a particular need. Children were taught very early in life from the Bible. All members of the entire family were expected to participate in the readings, recitations and hymning of the scriptures daily before bedtime. The kupuna agreed that today we should have our families read the Bible more often.

Members of the community are encouraged to send in their suggestions and recommendations for possible resource speakers and/or lecture topics in Hawaiian or English to Mahealani MeOellan, Kamehameha Schools, Continuing Education Frogram, 842-8279 or 842-8297. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list, please eall the office and leave your name and address. Lecture flyers will be mailed to you. Lectures are conducted statewide from October to May. V )