by: Kāwika Kolomona Kamake'e'āina
August 15, 2011
Ka ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (The Hawaiian Language), is an integral part of the Hawaiian culture. Prior to the missionaries visiting the Hawaiian islands, our culture communicated verbally. By the mid-1800's, ka ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i was transformed from a spoken form of communication, to a written language. While debate still remains pertaining to certain aspects of ka ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, it is important for each of us to learn it so that we may expand our individual knowledge of the Hawaiian culture. By understanding the ‘ōlelo (language), we also open the door to new avenues of exploration as it pertains to our individual and shared kū‘auhau (genealogy) research.
While in Hawai‘i and some mainland states, there are in-class learning opportunities, this is not the case for a large majority of the Hawaiian community on the mainland. It also isn't convenient for some to attend a class to learn the ‘ōlelo. This article will outline various opportunities for you to learn online at your own pace and comfort level.
Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning program has a free online program called Kulāiwi. This program is available online through Kamehameha Schools website at the following web address:
http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/kulaiwi
There are a total of 30 lessons available through the Kulāiwi program, and is perfect for the beginner. Lessons one through twenty-four, offer transcripts of the lesson. Each lesson offers low and high resolution video as well. You can also purchase the Kulāiwi program from the same website address provided above. Note that only lessons one through twenty-four are available for purchase on DVD.
Along with this program, you can download a free lesson workbook for lessons one through twelve at the following web address:
http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/kulaiwi/Kulaiwi_Workbook_01.PDF
Kamehameha Schools also offers their A‘o Makua Adult Distance Learning Program. These courses are online, but do not offer course credits. Courses are facilitated by and instructor and are three to four weeks in length. You also receive access to the content of the course for one full year. To learn more about the A‘o Makua Adult Distance Learning Program, visit:
http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/adult/index.html
‘Aha Pūnana Leo offers great programs as well. Their Niuolahiki Distance Learning Program coursework is based on the newly revised version of the textbook, Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, written by Dr. Kauanoe Kamanā and Dr. William H.“Pila” Wilson.
Each module of this program is equivalent to one chapter of the aforementioned textbook. There are 24 chapters, equivalent to one year of university level ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i.
To learn more about the Niuolahiki Distance Learning Program, visit:
http://www.ahapunanaleo.org/index.php?/programs/online_classes_-_niuolahiki/
This program is self-paced, perfect for those who like to drive their own learning.
These are just two of the many programs and options available to you. Expand your understanding of the Hawaiian culture and your research by learning Ka ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i.