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Kapiʻolani Community College to Host Pai Ka Leo 2026: He ʻAha Mele Hawaiʻi

Celebrate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at Kapiʻolani CC with with Pai Ka Leo 2026: He ʻAha Mele Hawaiʻi

Kapiʻolani CC will welcome participating kula (schools) to campus for Pai Ka Leo 2026

Pai Ka Leo: He ʻAha Mele Hawaiʻi is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, January 31.

Programs from Kapiʻolani CC will offer student engagement activities for community members.

will host an event celebrating and embracing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) through mele (music), culture, ʻono (delicious) food, and ʻohana (family) fun for all ages. The is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Makahiapo Lawn at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Organized by Keu, The Brand, and in collaboration with Kapiʻolani CC, ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Kula Kaiapuni, and Kula Kaiaʻōlelo of Oʻahu, Pai Ka Leo is an annual event that supports Hawaiian Medium Education schools by providing a platform for keiki (kids), makua (parents), and kumu (educators) to deepen their connection to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and culture.

“Pai Ka Leo in Hawaiian means to raise your voice, and share your language,” said Kahōkū Lindsey-Asing, Keu, The Brand president. “As long as we continue to inspire our keiki, mākua, and kūpuna to ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in as many spaces as possible, our language will live for generations to come!”

Celebrating Kapiʻolani CC 80th and Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
Pai Ka Leo serves as a kickoff to Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), held annually in February, inviting both kamaʻāina and malihini alike to learn, share, and embrace ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. 

As the host campus, Kapiʻolani CC will welcome participating kula (schools) to campus for the event’s opening ceremonies. In recognition of the college’s 80th anniversary and its commemorative theme, “Rooted in Generations,” Kapiʻolani CC will also feature a special alumni panel reflecting on the institution’s deep historical legacy and enduring impact on Hawaiʻi’s communities.

“We had a tremendous success with our partnership with Pai Ka Leo last year,” said Kapiʻolani CC Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi. “Through events like Pai Ka Leo, we strengthen our ability to honor our namesake, Queen Kapiʻolani, through meaningful connections with our community and supporting the success of future generations.”

Programs from Kapiʻolani CC will actively participate, including the Kapiʻolani Collective, which encompasses Kapoʻoloku Program, Lunalilo Scholars, and the STEM Center. Together, these groups will offer student engagement and cultural connection for participating schools, performers, and community members of all ages.

Event Highlights

Pai Ka Leo 2026 will feature live music performances by ʻAha Pūnana Leo, Kula Kaiapuni, Kula Kaiaʻōlelo, and special guests. The event will also include a mākeke (marketplace) showcasing local vendors, along with a variety of food and drinks. This celebration of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, culture, and community promises to be a memorable experience for all.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, January 30, 2026
• Time: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Location: Makahiapo Lawn, Kapiʻolani Community College

Admission is free, but tickets are required.

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