Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 2, 1 February 2022 — Some Observations About the Hawaiian Spoken on Ni'ihau [ARTICLE]

Some Observations About the Hawaiian Spoken on Ni'ihau

By Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp When King Kamehameha V sold the island of Ni'ihau to the Sinclair family - the ancestors of the Robinsons - for $10,000 in gold, he added a caveat saying, "the day may eome when Hawaiians are not as strong in Hawai'i as they are now. When that day comes, please do what you ean to help them." Since then, Ni'ihau has been a kīpuka where the Hawaiian language remains the mother tongue and daily language of about 130 people who continue to live on the island, as well as other Ni'ihau families who now live off-island due for work or school. 'Ōlelo Kanaka Ni'ihau is specific to the island but historically it was spoken throughout Kaua'i and on parts of O'ahu. 'Olelo Kanaka Ni'ihau is notable for its interchangeable use of l/r and t/k. It is also notable for subtle vocabulary and grammar differences. For example, the word "kūkui" in standard Hawaiian is "tuitui" on Ni'ihau. Notably, many Ni'ihau speakers do not use the okina and kahakō, although those in academia generally do use diacriticals to make it easier for their students who are learning Hawaiian. Dr. Kuuipolani Kanahele Wong and Kumu Kahea Faria of UH Mānoa, both of whom are from Ni'ihau, are two of the leading advocates working to perpetuate 'Ōlelo Kanaka Ni'ihau. Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu was not born on Ni'ihau but says she was "guided, groomed and raised" by the Ni'ihau community. Wong-Kalu recently narrated the animated film, Kapaemahu, using 'Ōlelo Kanaka Ni'ihau to allow listeners to hear the beauty of the language; it was the first time it was used as the medium for a film. Wong-Kalu, who speaks Tongan, Samoan and Tahitian, as well as Hawaiian, says that the Hawaiian spoken on Ni'ihau is closer to other Polynesian languages in sound, feeling, and perspective. "It's not easy to articulate. Ni'ihau Hawaiian feels more mentally akin to our cousins. It's an emotional mindset and the way in whieh we engage with one another. We should take every opportunity to learn perspectives and concepts ffom any manaleo (native speaker) if they allow us to do so." Wong-Kalu shared that her experiences with the Ni'ihau community allowed her to learn some of the body language, gestures, intonations and other nuances of the spoken language that students studying Hawaiian in college may not have the opportunity to learn. She also noted that there is also an elevated version of the language similar to "chiefly" Samoan and Tongan. Another difference is the flow of conversation. In standard Hawaiian it is eommon to end conversations, particularly on the telephone, with "mālama pono" or "a hui hou." But on Ni'ihau, "a hui hou" is rarely used. Instead, a conversation will end with "mahalo iā 'oe, aloha" or simply "aloha." 'Ōlelo Kanaka Ni'ihau is a treasure that reminds us of who we are - not simply as Kānaka Maoli - but as members of the larger Paeihe. The differences in Polynesian languages are slight; we share the same way of looking at the world. We are 'ohana. ■ Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp grew up in Papakōlea and is a Hawaiian and Filipino writer, blogger and independent researcher.