AUPUNI - GOVERNMENT

As part of the 20th year celebration, Ua hīmeni nā haumāna a me nā kumu i ka mele 'o Hawai'i Pono'ī. A gallery of photos from the event may be viewed here. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

He lei i ke aloha o ka 'ōlelo
Immersion schools mark 20 years of
Hawaiian language education

A gallery of photos from the event may be viewed at http://urltea.com/2pgf

By Blaine Fergerstrom / Ka Wai Ola

As it prepares to graduate its 10th high school class this year, Hawaiian immersion schools on O'ahu celebrated two decades of teaching 'Ōlelo Hawai'i at a gathering of hundreds of current and former kumu, haumāna, state officials and supporters at the state Capitol.

Speaking to the crowd, Daniel Hamada, assistant superintendent of the state Education Department's curriculum office, pledged his continuing support for Hawaiian immersion, saying he envisioned tripling the size of the immersion schools and consolidating them into a single complex, rather than being spread across the existing school system, as they are now.

And in the crowd, Dr. Leimomi Malina-Wright, vice principal of Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Ānuenue, said she was awed by the statewide program's reach. “What is extraordinary is, sometimes when I am in a restaurant, I can hear the children chanting their pule. You can now hear children and their families speaking the language in their everyday lives,” said Malina-Wright, who has spent 16 years with the Hawaiian immersion program.

In 1987, following the Hawai'i state Constitution mandate (Article X, Section 4) to promote the study of Hawaiian culture, language and history, the state Department of Education established the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i.

Marking the occasion, many who gathered on 8 Pepeluali wore T-shirts emblazoned with the legend, “He Lei i ke Aloha o ka 'Ōlelo – Ka Piha Makahiki he 20 o ka Papahana Kaiapuni,” or “A Lei of Love for the Hawaiian Language – The 20th Anniversary of the Hawaiian Immersion Program.”

The crowd shared oli, speeches and featured visits from several distinguished program graduates. Ua hīmeni nā haumāna a me nā kumu i ka mele 'o Hawai'i Pono'ī while standing but a few yards from the statue of Ke Ali'ī Wahine Lili'uokalani, whose brother, Ka Mō'ī, David Kalākaua, had composed the lyrics.

Several members of the WAC champion University of Hawai'i Warriors football team — each a product of Hawaiian immersion schools, addressed the crowd in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i.

As they were introduced, Warriors Brad Kalilimoku, brothers Keahi and Keala Watson, Aaron Kia and R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane called out to students of their former schools, whose current students answered in unison, “E ō!” “We are present!”

The players shared their experiences growing up in Hawaiian immersion and how they had pushed the boundaries of success in pōpeku (football) and in their education. As they left the stage to great applause, nā haumāna took up a chant, calling to the Warriors, “ 'Ai ha'a! 'Ai ha'a!” After initial modest resistance, Nā Koa acceded to their requests and performed the Warriors' famous 'ai ha'a chant to the delight of the crowd.

Dignitaries in attendance included Keoni Inciong, state DOE administrator for Hawaiian Language Immersion and Hawaiian Studies Programs and state Sen. David Ige, whose Pearl City-'Aiea district includes Waiau Elementary, home to Kula Kaiapuni 'o Waiau, one of the first immersion schools. OHA Hawai'i Island Trustee Robert Lindsey also attended to lend his congratulations and support to the programs.

Dr. Kalena Silva of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Hawaiian Studies Program addressed the gathering in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i with an eloquent, impassioned speech on the state of the Hawaiian immersion schools and advanced Native Hawaiian education. Sen. Ige presented a framed proclamation from legislators congratulating the Hawaiian immersion schools on their success.

Malina-Wright, the vice principal of Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Ānuenue, said graduates from the immersion preschools are earning palapala from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hilo, Chaminade and Hawai'i Pacific universities, “and they are all coming back now to become teachers and hopefully administrators in immersion schools.”

“We now have over 1,600 students speaking the language,” she said. “We need to go to 100,000 people speaking the language, not only Hawaiian children or Hawaiian families, but all ethnic nationalities.”

Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i plans a Sunset on the Beach event to honor O'ahu immersion schools on March 15 and 16 at Queen's Surf Beach in Waikīkī. Hawaiian music starts at 5 p.m., with food booths and movies. For more information, www.eolamau.org.

A gallery of photos from the event may be viewed at http://urltea.com/2pgf