Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 35, Number 3, 1 March 2018 — 2018: YEAR OF THE HAWAIIAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

2018: YEAR OF THE HAWAIIAN

y MO'OMEHEU > CULTURE

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will be bringing the eommunity together for a number of cultural and educational events in

2018, whieh was I proclaimed Ke Au I Hawai'i, the Year I of the Hawaiian, in I February. I Ke Au Hawai'i I recognizes the I resilience and I accomplishments I of Hawaiians. 2018 I marks the anniver-

sary of many important events affecting the Hawaiian community, such as: • 100 years since the establishment of the first Hawaiian Civic Club by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole • 40 years since the Constitutional Convention that made 'ōlelo Hawai'i an official state language, put protections into plaee for traditional and cultural practices, and established the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to address historical injustices and the resulting challenges • 30 years of Hawaiian Immersion Education whieh has grown to include 23 Hawaiian language immersion and charter schools that form Ka Papahana

Kaiapuni and has taken the Hawaiian speaking populahon under the age of 18 from just 50 to over 20,000. • 25 years since the formal apology from Congress and

the President of the United States to the Hawaiian people, for America's role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom 125 years ago. "It is important to me to eonhnue to remind Hawai'i and kānaka of our eollee-

tive movements, successes and goals we have yet to achieve. Our stories may have impacts across the globe, but hold the most meaning nowhere else in the world but here in Hawai'i," said Senator Brickwood Galuteria. "The ingenuity, know-how and brillianee of the Kānaka Hawai'i has a legacy of creating great change, not just in Hawai'i, but around the world. Designating 2018 as the Year of the Hawaiian is a good opportunity for the state to eonhnue to recognize this and remind ourselves of our commitments to the Hawaiian community," said Senator Kaiali'i Kahelei. ■

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Former Gov. John Waihe'e III and members of the state Legislature's Hawaiian caucus joined Gov. David lge at Washington Plaee, where he proclaimed 2018 the Year of the Hawaiian. "2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Hawaiian Language immersion programs ihal have brought the Hawaiian language back from the brink of extinction. Hawaiian language is now thriving, spoken by more Ihan 20,000 people," said Gov. David lge. - Photos: Nelson Gospor

The Year of the Hawaiian Prodamation Ceremony at Washington Plaee brought together government leaders, Hawaiian immersion school students and teachers, musicians and Hōlau o ka Wekiū to pay special tribute to Hawaiian resilience, brilliance and accomplishments.