UH-Hilo students offer bite-size lessons in Hawaiian language

Quick, digestible lessons in Hawaiian language are being offered by University of Hawaii at Hilo students through the Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani College of Hawaiian Language.

Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to partake in the release of “Hua Maka,” the new weekly video series designed to give viewers an immersive approach to learning ‘olelo, or the Hawaiian language, using common Hawaiian words and place names found in Hilo and around Hawaii Island.

“Hua Maka” launched in February on Hale Kuamoʻo-Hawaiian Language Center’s Instagram account (@halekuamoo) and UH-Hilo’s social media platforms (@uhhilo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/MfLqC7mnRNQ).

Plans are also underway to broadcast the audio portion on University Radio Hilo, KUHH 101 FM.

Written and filmed by Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani students, each video focuses on a single word with examples of usage, spoken entirely in Hawaiian. English captions are included for those who aren’t fluent or familiar with the language.

“It is my hope that by increasing venues where Hawaiian language can be easily accessed in useful and relevant ways, that we as a university community also serve as better stewards of our language through continued aʻo — teaching and learning — of our precious Hawaiian language,” said Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani Director Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa.

“Hua Maka” is one of the first Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani student-led initiatives to perpetuate ʻolelo Hawaiʻi using digital media.

In addition to the “Hua Maka” program, the community is invited to engage with Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani via email at khuokuhh@hawaii.edu, through the Hawaiian language content on the Hale Kuamoʻo Instagram account or by enrolling in Hawaiian language courses.

Visit Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani’s website at www.olelo.hawaii.edu for more information.