Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 6, 1 June 1996 — Kamaʻilio at Ala Moana Park [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kamaʻilio at Ala Moana Park

every Tuesday evening, between 3 p.m. and sunset, Hawaiian language students and teachers gather at Ala Moana park for "Kama'ilio," or "talk story." Puakea Nogelmeier, a Hawaiian language professor at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, leads the Kama'ilio along with support from 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i. The conversation is open to all learners and speakers of Hawaiian language. For students just starting to learn Hawaiian, Kama'ilio is good exercise for their ears and listening. Nogelmeier's animauon often helps students understand. Depending on the group, the topics discussed range from philosophy and Hawaiian issues, to blue cars and hot coffee. Kama'ilio is an opportunity to speak Hawaiian in a comfortable environment, with the sun setting in the background. "It helps with leaming in the classroom," Nogelmeier says, "it's less scary." Helping students get over the fear of speaking Hawaiian is the reason Nogelmeier has dedicated every Tuesday to Kama'ilio. He is even there on holidays, unless Christmas falls on a Tuesday. There are no requirements to attending the sessions. Participants just have to show up and be prepared for a discussion conducted entirely in Hawaiian. "The kids who take advantage of it excel in the classroom," Nogelmeier says, emphasizing that it's not a class, it's purely for fun. When people learn the language they have more fun with it, he says.

Woi Ofa O OP&L, in fionor of the of 9{ūīVaiian Lcmguagi, isfeaiurmg montfify orticCes and co(umns in or aBout l Hūioaiian (anguage. £ o(a mau 'ō(eLo 9{azuai u

Puakea NogeImeier plays the 'ukulele at Kama'ilio. Every Tuesday, from 3 pm to sunset, at Ala Moana Park on the 'Ewa side of the Magic island parking lot near the wiliwili trees. Photo by Patrick Johnston