‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi: All knowledge is not learned in just one school
Written by Amber Manini
“Your feel good, island, music, station, KWXX.” When hearing this introduction, the vast majority of Hilo residents will either start to dance, sing along with the tune, or simply smile in peacefulness at the accustomed melody. KWXX a locally owned and operated radio station by New West Broadcasting has been running since 1992. Whether it's because of their familiar introductory melody or the annual Hoʻolauleʻa the radio station hosts, KWXX is a favorite among many of the locals here on Hawaii Island.
Unique to KWXX is one of their shows hosted on Sundays titled 'Alana I Kai Hikina.' Airing from 4 - 7 p.m. on Sunday evenings, the radio show is broadcasted in the Hawaiian language. While this show may exclude some English speaking listeners, it does provide Hawaiian language listeners as well as some of UH Hiloʻs aspiring Hawaiian Studies students the opportunity to listen to and become more comfortable with the Hawaiian language. As some professors will agree, to learn a language you must be exposed to as much listening, speaking and immersion within the language itself as you possibly can.
UH Hilo’s Hawaiian Language College, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani and KWXX have a unique partnership that as Hawaiian Language lecturer Kumu Maikalani Glendon-Baclig expresses, dates back many years. As a part of this partnership students in two Hawaiian Language courses at UH Hilo have the opportunity to visit KWXX and speak on the Alana I Kai Hikina show on a selected Sunday of their choice.
KWXX Alana I Kai Hikina crew on air Sunday’s from 4pm-7pm. This past week, Kawehi (Left) and Kaimana (Right) hosted UH Hilo’s Hawaiian 203 students, Sam Kawehionapua Pa and Isaac Kuʻuipo Nohea Pang. Photo taken by reporter, Amber Manini.
“It is a rare opportunity for students to contribute to the Hawaiian language speaking community in a context that exists outside of the traditional classroom. The impact, in my opinion, is multi-faceted. It gives the students a sense of responsibility to preserve and perpetuate the language. Additionally, it directly impacts the Hawaiian language community, listeners, and supporters and hopefully broadens the studentʻs horizons and enriches their educational, cultural, and social experiences while enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo,” said Glendon-Baclig, the current instructor for KHAW 203.
As students gear up to go to KWXX for their time to shine, each is responsible for working with a partner in sharing the importance of an area of land in Hawaii. Along with this they share the importance of the land area, its people, history, culture, music and sharing an ʻōlelo noʻeau speaking of that area. Most students share a moʻolelo or a traditional Hawaiian story of the area highlighting its significance. While there, the students also share the different moon phases and tides for the area on a given day they present. As Kumu Maikalani shares, “It really does challenge students to seek knowledge beyond their own expertise and internalize the material so that they can respectfully communicate the information to a broader audience.”
Sam Kawehionapua Pa speaking on KWXX Alana I Kai Hikina show. Photo taken by reporter, Amber Manini.
This past Sunday I had the pleasure of accompanying students, Sam Kawehionapua Pa and Isaac Kuʻuipo Nohea Pang. Pa, a UH Hilo Junior majoring in Hawaiian Studies, worked collaboratively with her partner sharing a moʻolelo or story of ʻUmialiloa, a ʻōlelo noʻeau, talking about the moon phases and weather discussing if it was good for fishing or farming that particular day. Not only were they able to share their manaʻo or thoughts with the public but they were also able to learn from the show hosts, Kawehi and Kaimana.
“Talking on the radio gave me a little more confidence to use my ʻōlelo more than I do. It pretty much forces you to get out of your comfort zone and actually immerse yourself into speaking outside of school and literally to the public. It feels really good to share my manaʻo, on the radio. It gave me the chance to show the experience I have had with in the last two years taking hawaiian language,” said Pa.
Isaac Kuuipo Nohea Pang speaking on the Alana I Kai Hikina KWXX show. Photo taken by reporter, Amber Manini.
As one of the Hawaiian proverbs or ʻōlelo noʻeau suggests, “‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi” all knowledge is not learned in just one school, suggesting that a student can learn from many sources rather than just your traditional classroom. KWXX along with Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, the Hawaiian Language College here at UH Hilo, provide this opportunity to our Hawaiian Language year two students. Take advantage of the opportunities you are given. Learn to understand and absorb the knowledge around you because not all learning comes from the same source.
For more information regarding KHAW 203 you may contact Kumu Maikalani Glendon-Baclig at glendon@hawaii.edu.
