The movement to preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian language¡ªthat started decades ago¡ªtook another step forward in 2014 with the opening of ±á²¹±ô±ð?¨±ô±ð±ô´Ç, the University of Hawai?i at Hilo¡¯s .
Previously, the college¡¯s programs and operations were scattered throughout the campus.
¡°Ka Haka ?Ula O Ke?elik¨lani has now a honua, an environment where language, Hawaiian language, can sustain and be used, at all times,¡± said Keiki Kawai?ae?a, the College of Hawaiian Language director.
The $21 million dollar, two story, 36,000 square foot complex features a performing arts auditorium, classrooms, library, media resource room, computer lab, meeting rooms and offices.
¡°A lot of my teachers have been fighting for this, for years, years and years, decades, way before I was even thought of,¡± said UH Hilo student ??lika Guerrero. ¡°So to be a part of it, this new building, I mean it is a victory, not only for me, but my parents, my grandparents, and my kids to come, my grandkids.¡±
The ±á²¹±ô±ð?¨±ô±ð±ô´Ç blessing and grand opening was steeped in Hawaiian tradition with a ?Oki Piko ceremony, symbolizing the severing of the umbilical cord and the start of the building¡¯s new life; heahea, or calls of welcome and singing of traditional Hawaiian songs.
The festivities then moved to the college¡¯s new auditorium for hula performances and speeches.
¡°This building represents, to the members of UH Hilo, our dedication to being a Hawaiian university and all of the meanings of those words,¡± said UH Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney. ¡°A university where you learn all subjects in Hawaiian, a university where Hawaiian language and values inform what we do.¡±
¡°This is a beautiful and spectacular building and traditional building,¡± said UH System Interim President David Lassner. ¡°And it is also a modern building. This is a building that will connect Hawai?i, Hawaiians and Hawaiian language to the world.¡±
The College of Hawaiian Language is already internationally recognized for its undergraduate, master¡¯s and PhD programs; indigenous teacher training, distance learning programs and .
Alongside the Hawaiian curriculum work and the Hale Kuamo?o Hawaiian Language Center, the college serves as an important example for other indigenous language efforts around the world.
±á²¹±ô±ð?¨±ô±ð±ô´Ç provides needed state-of-the-art infrastructure that will allow the college to grow, develop and expand and further perpetuate the Hawaiian language and culture.
¡°It is a huge contribution into moving us to that that next level,¡± said Kawai?ae?a.