Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation Leads Resolution Celebrating Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i

HONOLULU – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and U.S. Representatives Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i) and Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) introduced a resolution celebrating Mahina ?Olelo Hawai?i, also known as Hawaiian Language Month.

“This February, we celebrate Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai‘i and the Native language schools and programs that work every day to preserve the Hawaiian language and culture,” said Senator Schatz, chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

“Indigenous languages are critical to the perpetuation of any culture,” said Senator Hirono. “However, decades of policies banning the teaching of ‘olelo Hawai‘i, including an outright ban of the Hawaiian language in 1896, led to its near-extinction. I was proud to vote to reinstate ‘olelo Hawai‘i to Hawai‘i public schools when I was in the State Legislature. We have made significant progress in reviving this critical part of Native Hawaiian history and culture, but ‘olelo Hawai‘i is still considered an endangered language today and our work is far from over. I am proud to introduce this resolution designating February as Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai‘i along with the rest of the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation as we work to further preserve and promote ‘olelo Hawai‘i.”

“I am proud to join my Hawai‘i colleagues in introducing this resolution which designates February as Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai‘i and recommits the federal government to preserving and promoting the use of ‘olelo Hawai‘i in our schools, workplaces, and everyday life,” said Representative Tokuda. “Thanks to the efforts of practitioners, instructors, and advocates, the restoration of the Hawaiian language serves as a beacon of hope for Indigenous peoples everywhere and provides a successful model for other indigenous languages programs. However, this work is far from complete. We can and must build upon this progress to ensure the use, practice, and development of ‘olelo Hawai‘i for generations to come.”

“As we celebrate Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai‘i, I extend a sincere mahalo nui loa to all who so tearlessly work to promote and sustain the language and culture of Kanaka Maoli,” said Representative Case, a member of the House Natural Affairs Committee and of its Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, responsible for all federal programs addressing indigenous peoples issues. “Just one shining example in our Hawai‘i is Susie Canda, a web developer who created ‘Nanea TV’, a YouTube channel featuring short stories set to familiar songs to help our keiki learn ‘Olelo Hawai‘i.”

Schatz, who chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has authored several laws promoting Native languages, including the Native American Language Resource Center Act, which last year awarded a consortium led by the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo with $6.6 million to establish the first National Native American Language Resource Center. The new federal funding will provide resources to foster collaboration and promote the use of Native American languages across the country.

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