{"id":228916,"date":"2026-02-03T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=228916"},"modified":"2026-02-03T14:27:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T00:27:56","slug":"keiki-voices-hawaiian-language-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/03\/keiki-voices-hawaiian-language-month\/","title":{"rendered":"<abbr>UH<\/abbr>: Keiki voices ignite Hawaiian Language Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><div class=\"responsive-video-wrap-post\"><figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_37491\"  width=\"620\" height=\"349\"  data-origwidth=\"620\" data-origheight=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cI4bk0kxCmM?enablejsapi=1&origin=https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&rel=0&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"N\u0101 Leo Hiehie o ke Ko\u02bbolau \u2013 2026 Hawaiian Language Speech Competition\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Mahina <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014clelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> (Hawaiian Language Month) is observed each Pepeuali (February), and the University of <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> is hosting a series of events to uplift <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s native tongue. This year\u2019s <abbr title=\"University of Hawaii\">UH<\/abbr>-sponsored events began January 30 at <a href=\"https:\/\/windward.hawaii.edu\/\">Windward Community College<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_228911\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-228911\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-2-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"keiki wearing lei speaking\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-228911\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-2-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-2.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-228911\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Keiki of all ages participated in N\u0101 Leo Hiehie o ke <span lang=\"haw\">Ko&#699;olau<\/span>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_229026\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-229026\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-5-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Excited students cheering\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-229026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-5-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-5.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-229026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span lang=\"haw\">P\u016b&#699;\u014dhala<\/span> students celebrate after classmate wins award<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_228909\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-228909\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-1-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"packed room of audience members\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-228909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-1-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-1.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-228909\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hundreds fill Hale <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u0100koakoa<\/span> for the annual event.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_228910\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-228910\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-3-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"group picture of five women\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-228910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-3-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-3.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-228910\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(second from left) Pakalana Kaniho celebrates after earning one of the competition\u2019s top honors.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-4-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Two keiki with lei and a certificate\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-229025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-4-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-4.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>Held at Hale <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u0100koakoa<\/span> (Campus Center), 120 students from kindergarten through high school took part in N\u0101 Leo Hiehie o ke <span lang=\"haw\">Ko&#699;olau<\/span>, an annual <span lang=\"haw\">ho&#699;ok\u016bk\u016b<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014dlelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> (Hawaiian language speech competition). Participants shared memorized passages and original speeches delivered entirely in <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014dlelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I\u2019m a kaiapuni [Hawaiian medium school] mom, so this is really close to my heart as well to get to see our keiki, the <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014dpio<\/span> (youth) get up there and be proud of themselves,&rdquo; said Windward <abbr title=\"Community College\">CC<\/abbr> Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg, &ldquo;We hope for these children to feel comfortable while they\u2019re here today to have a really good time and see that the college really values them for who they are and where they\u2019re from and come to us when they\u2019re done.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>Voices rising<\/h2>\n<p>Co-sponsored by Kanaeokana, <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;Ahahui<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014clelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the competition evaluated students across several categories, including pronunciation, fluency and grooming. The event featured students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;o<\/span> Kahuku Academy, Ke Kula Kaiapuni <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;o<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Hau&#699;ula,<\/span> Ke Kula <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;o<\/span> Samuel M. Kamakau, K&#363;lani&#257;kea and Ke Kula Kaiapuni <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;o<\/span> P&#363;\u2018&#333;hala.\n<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Speaking <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014dlelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> as a community, as a l\u0101hui, when our k\u016bpuna (elders) were banned from speaking their language, it means a lot to be able to do this,&rdquo; said Pakalana Kaniho, a Hawaiian immersion student at Kahuku Academy who took home one of the top honors at N\u0101 Leo Hiehie o ke <span lang=\"haw\">Ko&#699;olau<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h2><abbr>UH<\/abbr> events<\/h2>\n<p>The Windward <abbr>CC<\/abbr> event marks the first of six <span lang=\"haw\">ho&#699;ok\u016bk\u016b<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014dlelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> hosted by <abbr>UH<\/abbr> this Pepeluali. Hundreds of keiki are registered to participate in upcoming competitions at <abbr>UH<\/abbr> Hilo, <abbr>UH<\/abbr> Maui College, <abbr>UH<\/abbr> West <span lang=\"haw\">O&#699;ahu<\/span>, <abbr>UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa and <span lang=\"haw\">Kaua&#699;i<\/span> Community College.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When you look at our children, they\u2019re thriving! They\u2019re all so excited,&rdquo; said Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier, President of <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;Ahahui<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014clelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. &ldquo;What I would like them to know is the Hawaiian language is not only for your classroom. It doesn\u2019t only happen in your hale (home) but it\u2019s gonna happen everywhere whether you go to the gas station, valet your car, in the university, in academics, in all sorts of places. We know that Hawaiian language is alive.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>Free <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014dlelo<\/span> events<\/h2>\n<p>Winners from each event will go on to perform at <a href=\"https:\/\/kaiaulu.ksbe.edu\/olakai\">Ola Ka <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u012a<\/span><\/a> events, a statewide series of free Hawaiian language fairs held in public spaces throughout February and March. The annual celebrations are sponsored by community organizations, schools, and non-profits that are committed to Hawaiian language and culture on that specific island.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mahinaolelohawaii.org\/\">For more information on events happening statewide, visit the Mahina <span lang=\"haw\">&#699;\u014clelo<\/span> <span lang=\"haw\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Windward <abbr>CC<\/abbr> event marks the first of six Hawaiian language speech competitions hosted by Â鶹´«Ã½this Pepeluali (February).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":228911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[33,1057,1622,73,71,947,56,66],"class_list":["post-228916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-hawaiian","tag-hawaiian-language","tag-olelo-hawaii","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-uh-system","tag-video-2","tag-windward-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/windward-hawaiian-language-month-2.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228916"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":229039,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228916\/revisions\/229039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/228911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}