NEWS RELEASE

E Ola Mau ka ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i

Kamehameha Schools celebrates Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i with a range of free, fun, and interactive activities available at ʻĀina Pauahi properties across the pae ʻāina. Throughout February, the public is invited to visit the ʻāina of our founder, Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop, to enjoy diverse Hawaiian language events and educational materials, including a new series of complimentary online pā‘ani – all designed to encourage speakers of all levels of fluency to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

“By perpetuating our language, our culture thrives,” said Kāʻeo Duarte, Vice President of ‘Āina Pauahi at Kamehameha Schools. “Language connects generations, preserves ʻike kūpuna, and articulates the principles that empower our lāhui to flourish. As part of Kamehameha Schools’ kuleana in fulfilling the will of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi, we take pride in advancing the use of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i in contemporary daily life and on our founder’s own lands by offering resources to those eager to learn the Hawaiian language."

Kapālama Kai has developed four online games that can be played on mobile devices and computers. Through quiz questions, memory challenges and word puzzles, individuals of all ages can acquire Hawaiian language vocabulary encompassing animals, colors, and foods. Users can scan QR codes displayed on green signs throughout the Kapālama Kai area — spanning from the banks of the Kapālama Canal to Kalihi Street — or visit kapalamakai.com/olelo to play for free and enter to win prizes from Kapālama Kai businesses.

“These digital games exemplify the innovative spirit of Kapālama Kai,” said Bobbie Lau, Kamehameha Schools senior asset manager. “They offer entertainment that is swift and accessible, ideal for busy ʻohana to enjoy on the move — amidst grocery shopping, commuting on public transport, or grabbing a meal at a favorite restaurant.”

Kamehameha Schools is celebrating Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i on ‘Āina Pauahi through the following avenues:

• Hosting a CreativeMornings Honolulu seminar featuring Kuha‘o Zane, creative director of Sig Zane Designs and SZKaiao, at The Barn at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako on Fri., Feb. 23 at 8:30 a.m. Aligned with the global CreativeMornings theme NATIVE, this complimentary lecture will spotlight how ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and cultural values shape Kuha‘o’s artistic endeavors. To complement the worldwide NATIVE theme, the global CreativeMornings headquarters commissioned Native Hawaiian artist Jack Soren to craft an illustration. Soren’s artwork pays homage to the feather cloaks and capes, known as ‘ahu‘ula, that Native Hawaiians traded worldwide as a means of sharing Hawaiian culture during their travels.
   
• Displaying ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i educational signage across nine market areas on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island, featuring vocabulary and phrases for everyday scenarios such as greetings, shopping, errands, and dining. Participating locations include:
  • Kapālama Kai, including Kapālama Center, Dillingham Plaza, Kapālama Shopping Plaza, King-Kohou Retail Center
  • Our Kaka‘ako, including retail centers at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, Keawe Retail at Our Kaka‘ako, and The Shops at Keauhou Lane
  • Kū‘ono Marketplace at Kāhala
  • Windward Mall
  • Hale‘iwa Store Lots
  • Keauhou Shopping Center
  • Pearl at Kalauao (temporarily closed for renovations but hosting monthly night markets starting in February 2024)
  • Volcano Golf Course
     
• Offering ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i resources, games and giveaways at the Kapālama Kai booth during the Taste of Kalihi Market on Sat., Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dillingham Plaza, in the parking lot adjacent to Burger King.
   
• Sharing social media content on Kamehameha Schools’ Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn platforms, highlighting how students engage with and promote ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i in the community. This includes a three-part documentary series on Hawaiian monk seals produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), featuring voiceover narration in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i by Kamehameha Schools Kapālama students.

All events and activities listed are free and open to the public. For more information, visit ksbe.edu.