Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 12, 1 December 1995 — 1996: Ka makahiki o ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

1996: Ka makahiki o ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi

: " ; { . : • ' Governor signs proclamation declaring 1996 year of the Hawaiian language

Not long ago, the Hawaiian language was a taboo subject in Hawai'i's educational system: From 1896 to 1986 both children and teachers were prohibited from speaking Hawaiian in pubhc schools. Despite the forces working against it, the Hawaiian language is alive and now used throughout the islands by native speakers, kūpuna, and residents of Ni'ihau. It is also the language of instruction in eight Pūnana Leo preschools and in Hawaiian language immersion sites throughout the islands. To celebrate the renaissance of the language, and observe the 100th anniversary of its prohibition, last month Gov. Ben Cayetano signed a proclamation declaring 1996 Year of the Hawaiian Language. Most of the guests invited to the governor's executive chambers Nov. 7 conversed freely in Hawaiian, a sign of the pride Hawaiians now feel towaid their language and of the easing of the draeonian measures onee used to curtail its use. Gov. Cayetano said at the signing that he initially had been skeptical of the value of returning Hawaiian to the classroom but that he has been proven wrong. "When it first started I was one who had doubts ... Now the record has been established

that it (Hawaiian language) is a great educational tool." , ' Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i, along with other organizātions ahd agencies, will be holding a number of events to celebrate the year. These include a Hawaiian language fair at Kapi'olani park, teacher and student workshops, plays, a Hawaiian language eamp, speech contests and publication of several Hawaiian language books. 'Ahahui director Liana Honda hopes the proclamation and language events will help raise awareness in the general public about Hawaiian and encourage groups and individuals to study, use, and respect the language 'Ahahui 'Ōlelo Hawai'i is a private, non-profit organization supported through private donations and grants. It established an office in Honolulu a year ago to coordinate Hawaiian language activities around the state. Honda says a problem now in the community is that people don't know who to tum to if they have a language question or eoneem; 'Ahahui 'Olelo was created to serve those needs. "We are a language resource for the public to use," Liana explains. 'Ahahui 'Ōlelo Hawai'i is located at 850 Richards St., Suite 501, Honolulu 96813.

They ean be reached at (808) 5285453, fax (808) 566-0176 or (808) 533-0562.

Hawaiian language students, teachers, and supporters show off a governor-signed proclamation declaring 1996 Year of the Hawaiian ianguage.