Celebrate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with the Meaning of ALOHA

February is Hawaiian Language Month! We’re celebrating by sitting down with Native Hawaiian speaker, educator, and true ambassador of Aloha, Kahōkū Lindsey-Asing.

We met up with Kahōkū at Pūnana Leo o Mānoa, a Hawaiian Language immersion preschool for keiki ages 2-5, to talk story about the meaning of ALOHA and the importance of sharing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language) across generations.

As site coordinator for Pūnana Leo o Mānoa, Kahōkū works to continue the revitalization of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi through early education - work that Kahōkū hopes will be carried beyond the classroom.

To hear more from the staff of Pūnana Leo o Mānoa on teaching the meaning of ALOHA and what ALOHA means to them watch below!

Quote from Pūnana Leo - E Ola Ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi = The Hawaiian language shall live.

Mahalo e Kahōkū for sharing your 'ike and manaʻo with us!

Want to learn more? Check out these recourses:

Niuolahiki: Online Hawaiian Language Classes & Resource Center

Puke Wehewehe: Online Hawaiian Language Dictionary

Kanaeokana: Online Hawaiian Language Resource Center

Ka Hale Hoaka: Online Hawaiian Language Classes

Song is “Ka Beauty Kī Hō’alu” by Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing

Music by Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing (@darealkamakoa)

Engineering by Ryan Hiraoka (@ryanhiraokamusic)

Ka Beauty Kī Hō’alu was created for the ALOHA Collection ‘ohana, with a sole purpose to be used as background music specific to the Pūnana Leo o Mānoa: Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i feature, February 2023.

Video and photography by Nani Welch Keli‘iho‘omalu

Select images pulled from Pūnano Leo's website