No matter where you go in Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, or ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, is sure to be found. Whether in expressions like “aloha” or “mahalo”, songs like our state anthem “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī”, or in the names of the places we live, work and play, like “Kealakekua”, “Keālia” or “Waiākea”, Hawaiian is a part of our daily life. Today, you can watch Hawaiian-language programs on ʻŌiwi TV or hear ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi on radio stations like KAPA, KHBC or KWXX. And, with Hawaiian being an official language of the state of Hawaiʻi, and with the number of speakers and learners of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi having increased tenfold between 2000 and 2010, it is imperative for the State of Hawaiʻi and the Department of Education to make the learning of Hawaiian language a requirement for all public school students.
Prior to 1896, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi was not just a native language. It was also the national language. Most people who lived in Hawaiʻi, whether they were native Hawaiian or not, read, wrote and spoke in Hawaiian. Between the 1840s and 1890s, the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi had a literacy rate of 90% and ranked second in the world only to Scotland – surpassing even the United States, Great Britain and France. In 1896, however, the Republic of Hawaiʻi passed Act 57, which ordered all public and private schools recognized by the government to teach all subjects in the English language; although, these schools were free to use a secondary language alongside English. While Act 57 did not “ban” the use of the Hawaiian language, it created a social stigma that led to the suppression of the language well into the twentieth century. Even the Kamehameha Schools, an institution for native Hawaiian children, began to suppress the use of the language by punishing and even...
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... the language is death. Words can heal and words can destroy. This is how this ʻōlelo noʻeau, or Hawaiian proverb, is interpreted in the famous book ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetic Sayings by Mary Kawena Pūkuʻi. But, on its website, the ʻAha Pūnana Leo states, “…a contemporary translation for this proverb is, in the Hawaiian language we find the life of our race, without it (the Hawaiian language) we shall perish.” In other words, unless we know our language, we cannot fully know our culture, history or traditions. Of course, a change cannot happen overnight. It may take several years for our public schools to be able to successfully implement a Hawaiian language curriculum. But, can you imagine, if we were to take the necessary steps towards achieving that, how far we will go in the preservation and perpetuation of the Hawaiian language and way of life?
Biography: Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kuamanolani Mahinalani Kalaninuiwaiakua Keaweawe‘ulaokalani, also know as Kamehameha the III, was born at Keauhou, Kona on the island of Hawai‘i. Historians speculate that the Kauikeaouli’s birthday was around August 11th. Later in life Kauikeaouli chose March 17th as his birthday after learning about Saint Patrick from an irish friend. The name Kauikeaouli is believed to mean “Placed in Dark Clouds.” His father was Kamehameha the Great, and his mother was Keōpūolani. Both of his parents were very powerful; Keōpūolani was one of the highest ranking aliʻi in the kingdom. Kauikeaouli had two siblings: brother ʻIolani Liholiho
Ii, John Papa., Mary Kawena Pukui, and Dorothy B. Barrère. Fragments of Hawaiian History. Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1983. Print.
“Standard English was imposed on children of immigrant parents, then the children were separated from native English speakers, then the children were labeled “inferior” and “ignorant” (Hughes 70) because they could not speak Standard English. In addition to feeling inferior about their second language skills, these students also felt inadequate in regard to speaking their own mother tongues” (qtd in Kanae)
...e" (Trask xix). This incident beautifully illustrates and signifies tourism's impact in American society. Like most Americans, this woman uses a discourse that has been shaped by tourist advertisements and souvenirs. The woman's statement implies that Trask resembles what the tourist industry projects, as if this image created Hawaiian culture. As Trask asserts, Hawaiian culture existed long before tourism and has been exploited by tourism in the form of advertisements and items such as postcards. Along with the violence, endangered environment, and poverty, this exploitation is what the tourist industry does not want to show. However, this is the Hawai'i Haunani-Kay Trask lives in everyday. "This is Hawai'i, once the most fragile and precious of sacred places, now transformed by the American behemoth into a dying land. Only a whispering spirit remains" (Trask 19).
Hawaiians should have rights to their own land and not let foreigners disrupt their daily habits and life. If a foreigner takes allegiance to Hawai’i they not only have the accessibility of a citizen but also the perks that go with citizenship. Foreigners would be able to marry the women of Hawai’i while they have wives back home in their previous motherland. Foreigners that are aiding to Hawai’i can stay as aliens and be just as effective. There is no need for them to gain citizenship and take an oath of allegiance for their help. If a foreigner wants a piece a land all he needs to do is take an oath of allegiance and he is able to have a piece of land. If too many foreigners enter Hawai’i, their culture will take over. The majority will consist of the foreigners and their government will take over. Too many foreigners will cause much more damage to the native Hawaiian population. The number of full Hawaiians will decrease if foreigners continue to enter the island of Hawai’i.
What is one thing that stands out in most peoples’ minds when they think of Hawaii? Most people would probably say the hula dance. The hula dance descended from, or can be traced to Polynesia and India. The Hula was a form of poetry for the Hawaiians in all of its sacred and ceremonial forms.
Racism in Hawaii has caused various issues, and one of them is racial tension. It states that “ some say…”[there are]”...racial tensions between the islands white community and native hawaiians” (Hansen, paragraph 3). Well, in history, it was quite difficult for most of the
The Contemporary Issues in Native American Culture provides a lot of varied topics and interests. In this paper, the main issue will be the topic of tribal language preservation. How tribes are able to raise money to enhance language efforts, how tribes are working to preserve the language, and how tribes are using language to maintain cultural awareness and identity will be discussed.
...ature consisted of a council of chiefs and an elected house of representatives. In 1842, the Hawaiian islands were seen as an independent government. Sugar production was Hawaii’s largest buissiness. Tons of sugar was grown in Hawaii. Many of the Hawaiians worked on the sugar farms. Sugar was sold to the United States and large amounts of money flowed into Hawaii. Hawaii’s economy grew and banks were built. Annexation America’s main goal was to overthrow monarchy and Annex Hawaii as the 50th state. In 1887, the Americans forced king Kalakaua to sign a new constitutions that lessened the king’s powers and limited the rights of native Hawaiians to hold office. After Kalakaua’s death, Queen Liliuokalani ruled Hawaii. She was stubborn and wanted Hawaiian independence. But the Americans took over the government and ended monarchy and set up their own government. They put up the American flag where the Hawaiian flag originally flew. So, in other words, Hawaii was stolen from its original owners. Defenseless, Hawaii couldn’t do anything about United States’ control. Hawaii was then Annexed to the United states in 1898.
“By 2050, it is [predicted] that half of the world will be more or less proficient in [English].” (Gerdes 37). Being an Asian-American, specifically Hmong in the United States, there has been a rise in the usage of English rather than our native language Hmong among the new generation; those who were born in the United States. Many are not fluent in Hmong, without keeping the language, elders are unable to pass down their knowledge of the Hmong culture to their children.
Hawaii is a top vacation destination by many tourists all over the world. When Hawaii comes to mind many people and different cultures imagine sandy beaches, warm, blue waters, lush green backdrops, Hula dancers in grass skirts with flowers in their hair and leis around their necks. These visual representations are iconic symbols of Hawaii and of what many have come to define as Hawaiian. These images and ideas painted by the visitor industry most often take place at the expense of the Hawaiians historic culture. These stereotypes conjured up by the tourist indus...
...Hawai`i’s economy is very dependent on tourism, however many locals are possessive of their land, and as they stereotype tourists, many do not accept others as they have a unity for their own. Numerous individuals feel the desideratum to fit the local stereotype because they prefer not to be labeled as a “haole”. It becomes tough and rather intense for an individual, because becoming haole betokens that you forgot and disregarded the local or Hawaiian quality values and ways of routes, as well as the flowing stream of life in the islands. We need to remind ourselves that regardless of where we emanate from, our skin tone, race, physical characteristics, and so forth, everybody ought to acknowledge just for who we/they are and treat one another like 'ohana and show "aloha", and subsequently, we can determinately verbally express "This is it. This is Paradise" (33).
Americans were not the first nation to discover the group of islands now called Hawaii. Seafaring Polynesians, people of Polynesia, landed in Hawaii. Some Polynesians sailed to New Zealand and some went as far as the well known island called Easter Island. However, the first American to set foot on Hawaii is Captain James Cook. He arrived in Hawaii on January 18, 1778. He brought many goods to trade with the Hawaiian people and the people treated him well. James named Hawaii “Sandwich Islands” in the name of Earl of Sandwich; who was the first lord of the British Admiralty. Hawaii is the only state in the United States of America that is not connected to any other American state. Hawaii is last state that joined the United States, making it the fiftieth state on Aug. 21, 1959. Hawaii consists of a chain of 132 islands, with the main islands being Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Nihau, and Kahoolawe. Hawaii’s population is over 1.392 million people. However, Hawaii’s economy and agriculture are very unique, thus making Hawaii a very diverse state.
When people think of Hawaii, some of the things that comes to mind are the hula dancers, coconuts, surfing, pineapples, and the beautiful weather. This beautiful place holds a lot of history and heritage. It was discovered by Captain James Cook who was the first European to discover Hawaii. This discovery made by James Cook sparked interest in the British government as well as the United States. What led to the annexation of Hawaii had a huge impact on those who inhabited it, and the United States. The annexation of Hawaii is significant because it increased the United States military power, allowed economic gains in Hawaii, and ultimately changed the culture and history of Hawaii.