Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 10, 1 October 1985 — OHA Trustee Tells Waitangi Tribunal [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Trustee Tells Waitangi Tribunal

Hawaiian Lanouaoa Has low Priority i* j Stat© j

The first in a series of tribunal hearings on a elaim to have Maori language made one of the official languages of New Zealand was held last June at Waiwhetu Marae in Wellington, New Zealand. This elaim is of interest to Hawaiians because Hawaiian is officially one of the languages of the state. There is a movement in the United States to have only English made the official ianguage of the country. In fact, Hawaii may be the only state in the union to have two languages designated as official languages. In the June hearing, many Maori scholars, elders and language authorities addressed the tribunal whieh is chaired by Chief Judge Edward Durie, a Maori, and two other members, Sir Graham Latirner, another Maori, and Paul Temm, Queen's Counsel and a Pakeha or haole. Besides testimony on the question of the Maori language status, the tribunal also heard arguments in favor of creating a Maon television station. Mueh of the testimony submitteed were quite like the story of the demise of Hawaiian language fluency in Hawaii. Maori elders spoke of severe punishment as kids for speaking Maon in the schools while others spoke of the need for non-Maoris to show resp>ect and understanding to their need to use the Maori language in everyday life, in schools and in government as an expression of who they are and of their culture. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Moses K. Keale Sr. of Kauai and Niihau and Cultural Specialist Maleolm Naea Chun were invited to submit testimony regarding the history of Hawaiian language usage, its current status and its use in the media. The invitation was extended by the claimant organization, Nga Kaiwahapumau i te Reo (Wellington Maori Language Board), through its chairman, Huirangi Waikere and member Piripi Walker. Keale and Chun responded to the request for assistance by submitting in-depth testimony based upon the most available reports and surveys. In preparing their reports, the two noted to the tribunal several interesting bits of information concerning the status of Hawaiian language in Hawaii. They noted that while Hawaiianis one of theofficialstate languages and that the state is in charge of promoting the Hawaiian language, culture and history, these efforts have been minimal or of a token nature. It was also noted that results of a recent OH A needs assessment survey show that a

vast majority of Hawaiians now believe that language is the key to Hawaiian culture. A majority of those questioned thought more emphasis should be placed on language. However, one of the problems revealed from the survey was that many Hawaiians did not have the itme to devote to learning Hawaiian, probably because of job commitment sand family activities. Keale and Chun noted, too, that while there are several Hawaiian television and radio broadcasters in the state, there are few Hawaiian language and cu!tural programs whfch emphasize language on the air. There are no language training programs on the air and many Hawaiian plaee names are badly pronounced. They also noted that many announcers do not open their program with greetings in Hawaiian.

In a thank you letter from Nga Kai Whakapumau i te Reo, the two OHA men were acknowledged with deep appreciation for going to New Zealand to present their testimony. Waikerepuru wrote: "Our elders referred time and time again to the deep significance of the relation between our peoples and cultures, and were deeply moved by their coming to help in this attempt to help preserve and protect our language, and provide it with official recognition. In return, Keale and Chun have made arrangements for educational materials, video recordings of Maori language television programs, Maori radio programs and other documents on Maori affairs to help in the revitalization of Hawaiian language here.

I Office of Ha waiian Affairs T rustee Moses K. Keale Sr. and OH A Cultural Specialist Maleolm Naea Chun exc hange views with claimant Huirangi Waikerepuru during break in hearing. An interested bystander to Waikerepuru's left is Keri Kaa who also attended the hearing — Tangata Magaz me Phoio