Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 3, 1 March 2016 — Ka Leo Hawaiʻi now in electronic library [ARTICLE]

Ka Leo Hawaiʻi now in electronic library

To mark Hawaiian Language Month in February, Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo launched the "Ka Leo Hawai'i" Internet database. "Ka Leo Hawai'i," a Hawaiian-

language radio program that ran for 16 years on KCCN, featured interviews with mānaleo, primarily kūpuna who were among the last native speakers of Hawaiian. The show was hosted by Kauanoe Larry Kimura from 1972 to 1988 and Puakea Nogelmeier from 1991 to 2000, when it heeame too difficult to continue the program with mānaleo guests. Airing at a time when the Hawaiian language was rarely spoken, "Ka Leo Hawai'i" provided an opportunity to hear from fluent speakers. Today it serves as an invaluable resource for students of Hawaiian language who ean hear the natural way the language was spoken, as well as hear the knowledge and wisdom shared by the kūpuna. Last month's soft launeh included the first 12 programs and transcripts. All 417 episodes of the show's inihal run will soon be available at www.ulukau.org.