Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2016 — Hawaiian language educators share strategies [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian language educators share strategies

By Lynn Cook More than 30 educators gathered at Disney's Aulani resort for the 'Aha Kumu: Ho'omau Hawaiian Language Symposium in February to discuss how to advance the vibrancy of the Hawaiian language in loeal schools. Kahulu De Santos, Aulani Cultural Advisor, created the unique program in 2015 to encourage education in Hawaiian language. Now in its second year, the annual 'Aha Kumu fills a critical need in the 'ōlelo Hawai'i educational community by providing a rare forum for teachers to eome together, eompare experiences and share best practices and resources. "We believe it is Aulani's kuleana to encourage the perpetuation of the Hawaiian language by supporting the educators who are doing this important work in our schools and communities every single day," she said. The 2016 participants included facilitators Hau'oli Akaka of Kamehameha Schools and Ekela Kaniaupio Crozier of Kamehameha Schools Maui. Presenters included Dayne Punahele Kealanahele-Querubin of James Campbell High School; Emma Pi'ilani Ha'aheo McGuire, Keomailani Fergerstrom and Katherine "Loke" Roseguo of Honoka'a High School, and Melelani Pang of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Hailama Farden of 'Ahahui 'Ōlelo Hawai'i, 'Alika MeNieoll of 'Aha Pūnana Leo, Alieia Perez of Ka Hālau 'Ōlelo Hawaii 'o Kawaihuelani UH Mānoa, and 'Iokepa De Santos from Partners in Development complete the list. "We are grateful for this ehanee to get inspired and energized by the incredible progress in Hawaiian education taking plaee in classrooms throughout the state," Hailama Farden, president of 'Ahahui 'Ōlelo Hawai'i and vice principal of Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama Campus, said in a release. "The 'Aha Kumu offers us a special opportunity to bring together our 'ōlelo Hawai'i 'ohana, and we are thankful to Aulani and the conference organizers for making this possible." Discussing the heahh, history and welfare of the Hawaiian language with longtime language advocate and educator, Melelani Pang, it is easy to see the importance of encouraging and promoting a healthy quest for mastering the Hawaiian language. Pang says "Passion has no color. Making Hawaiian language a requirement in all schools is the way to make an impact and honor the host culture and the host language. Learning the language brings

a feeling of inclusiveness, not exclusivity. If learning the language was a requirement it would be positive, allowing a feeling of being part of an established culture. Learning Hawaiian language is possible on the Internet, and often allows the student to repeat and repeat, never feeling uncomfortable as some beginners do in a classroom setting. Great teachers like Lokomaikai Snakenberg and Puakea Nogelmeier have made great impacts to the education and research of language and created infectious enthusiasm and pride for living in the only state with its own music, its own dance and its own language. In the '80s, the Hawaiian Renaissance encouraged language classes in kindergarten. The aim was to make it a functional, well-used language. Moving forward to the 1993 commemoration of the overthrow, the number of Hawaiian language teachers continued to grow. At one time high schools had the language as a core course. Teachers were given new assignments, but for many the interest did not fade. "In my opinion," Pang says, "we need more Hawaiian used at a functional level where people don't stare but rather comment, 'Oh, they are speaking Hawaiian,' just like other languages like French, German, Japanese or Korean." Entertainer, songwriter, ukulele teacher and Hawaiian language professor Keith

Haugen agrees with Pang and De Santos. Both know they have important missions in their careers - teaching the proper pronunciation of places in Hawai'i and encouraging their fans to let the language eome naturally. Miss a word here or there - no shame. Just go back and say it again. In the middle of his 17-year career enter-

taining at the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Haugen, accompanied by his hula dancer wife, Carmen Haugen, recorded a Hawaiian pronunciation CD and presented it to the on-air newscasters and polkieal figures in the Islands. They sold 20,000, many going to business leaders and others to the on-air liaisons in the audience, reminding them that they receive a salary frompresenting the news, so, shouldn't they be presenting it properly? Some listened, some didn't learn. Haugen still presents music, concerts, events and teaches - always weaving a lesson into what he says and sings. Fans walk from their concerts knowing that they have been charged with an important task. For the 2016 'Aha Kumu - De Santos agreed with the facilitators that it was very fulfilling to see the kumu gathered in one room, listening as they made plans to connect their students and arrange for them to visit eaeh other's schools. De Santos has high praise for the topics and sharing of expertise. During the last segment of the symposium, four work groups were formed to eon-

tinue the discussion and preparation for the 2017 'Aha Kumu. "Our hope is that the 'Aha Kumu allowed the participants to experience an event that was informative and worthwhile. Our primary goal was to bring together a statewide network of teachers active in Hawaiian language education in puhlie, private and immersion

high schools to facilitate the sharing of 'ike, knowledge, and resources in support of their efforts to bring vibrancy to the communities of learners they teach," De Santos said. ■

Lynn Cook i.s a loeal freelance journalist sharing the arts and euhwe ofHawai'i with a glohal auāienee.

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More Ihan 30 educators gathered at Aulani resort to talk about teaching 'Ōlelo Hawai'i. - Courtesy Photos

The 'ōlelo Hawai'i 'Ohana collaborates and shares resources at the daylong event.

Sessions were led by Kamehameha Schools, Partners in Development Foundation, Honoka'a High School, Punahou School and James Campbell High School, among others.

The annual event is meant to be a forum where teachers ean eompare experiences, best practices and resources.