ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Lives
Written By Everett McKee
UH Hilo Hawaiian Studies students at Kahoʻolawe. Kāʻeo Awana, UH Hilo junior, is featured in the front middle. Photo provided by Kāʻeo Awana.
Over the years the Hawaiian culture has experienced decline as well as a renaissance which revived the spirit of the culture. One of the biggest fears of those of Hawaiian descent is the loss of language. The language of a people is their heritage and history. The importance of language has been something that has inspired University of Hawaii at Hilo junior, Kāʻeo Awana to passionately continue his education in ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi.
Awana, a student in Hawaiian studies, has found a new respect for the Hawaiian culture after a trip to an island not many are able to visit. Awana is a second year Hawaiian language student who had luckily slipped into a spot on a trip to Kahoʻolawe due to lucky circumstances.
The fundraiser that went into paying for the trip took the efforts of many. Of those sponsors, a special mahalo goes out to the Office of the Chancellor-Hookahua Project and Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center. A Silent auction including donations from Sigzane, and Kapoho Kine Adventures also helped too. The group raised $3,000 that went into paying for travel expenses and supplies. The group stayed with an organization called The Protect Kaho’olawe ʻOhana, a non state funded group.
“It felt a little overwhelming that I was able to go on this trip a group of third and fourth year students,” Awana stated. The catch to this trip was that students had to live a “‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi lifestyle” for a few days, meaning English was not allowed.
Sacred area in Kahoʻolawe that the students had worked to help restore. Photo provided by Kāʻeo Awana.
The trip was for students to embrace the culture and spirit of Hawaiʻi. Long hours went into cleaning up the land and sacred areas. Area’s such as sacred fishing temples that were in a state of decay were helped to be reestablished.What this trip did was to solidify the importance of not only giving back to the ʻāina, but also to one’s self.
“I can not speak for everyone else, but I just fell in love with ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi,” Awana stated. The trip has really made a detrimental impact to Awana as these issues that Kahoʻolawe faces is reminiscent here on Hawaiʻi island. “It would be heartbreaking if people on the big island had to stay within certain walking boundaries while outdoors because of remnants of military debri,” said Awana.
Information was released as to another planned trip for next semester. For those interested in the culture and language of the island this experience seems to be one of the greatest by far. This island however, also has many opportunities to give back or delve into the language and culture of Hawai’i.
For more information on how to get in contact with community service opportunities or other cultural learning experience visit the campus center community service office located in Campus Center room 316. You may also contact them by phone at 808-932-7378 or visit their website at http://hilo.hawaii.edu/campuscenter/service/.
