If you want to learn Hawaiian watch these with your family…

Aloha mai no kakou,

Do you ever wish you could go back in time and sit at the feet of kupuna and hear their stories, learn how to weave or make Hawaiian salt? No, I don’t have a time-machine for you to use, but I do have a resource for you that is about as close as we’re gonna get. 

Na Hulu Kupuna is a collection of interview-style videos featuring Native speakers from different islands from the 1990’s. This online resource actually includes the full, uncut footage of these interviews and demonstrations. Just a heads up: they aren’t polished, but have a wealth of knowledge.

These videos are valuable because of the visual experience. One thing that is really helpful when learning to speak is that you can see how their mouths are moving as they make Hawaiian sounds. You can also see where conversations took place and get a glimpse of traditional practices like weaving, making salt, and growing kalo! 

I recently watched an interview with Violet Leimamo Wahiako Lee and thoroughly enjoyed it when she spoke out about how Hawaiians were singing “Hawaii Aloha” wrong. (I highly recommend listening to the first 6 minutes or so of this specific interview. It’s actually in English, so that makes it easy.)

I appreciate when I hear Native speaking kupuna address the way people are taking liberties with Hawaiian where they shouldn’t be, it’s validating because over the years I have been criticized for being too strict about pronunciation and people changing or misusing the language. We know the root of this problem is a general lack of knowledge of the language and culture. Using this kind of resource will really help get us on the right path.

Similarly to last week’s resource (Ka Leo Hawaii), here are 2 easy ways to make the most of Na Hulu Kupuna

1. Take 30 seconds to 1 minute and analyze it thoroughly. (Writing down words and phrases you know or don’t know yet will help you learn faster).  
2. Play the episodes in the background of your day while you commute, clean the house, etc… (This will immerse you in the Native language, mindset and culture which will enhance your own understanding and use of Olelo Hawaii.)

I’d like to know how you are incorporating these resources in your daily lives. Do me a favor and reply to this email. Which episodes or articles have you found interesting and helpful? Maybe I will share some of your responses to help inspire others who have a desire to include more Hawaiian language in their lives and the lives of their families. (If you haven’t tried them yet, do it right now and let me know what you think.)

Here are links to the resources in my emails this month: 

Papakilodatabase

Ka Leo Hawaii

Na Hulu Kupuna

Aloha,

Malu

Ka-alala.mykajabi.com