Every morning on the island of Oahu, students at Pu' öhala Elementary gather on a field as towering mountains watch them from the mist. Their day starts with songs in ‘ölelo Hawai'i, the islands' native language, restating values of respect and justice that their teachers hope will guide them through their education, and throughout their lives.
Like most kids their age, they're not concerned about the significance of the language they're learning. Still, they have a weighty responsibility: to receive the torch (火炬) and ensure the security of ‘ölelo Hawai' i for future generations.
It was only 50 years ago that the language was on the edge of extinction. Though the situation is much improved, in many ways ‘ölelo Hawai' i is still on life support. Teachers say there's a huge enthusiasm for school kids to learn the language, but as they grow up, they're encouraged to focus on "more useful" subjects and use English, which are believed to assist them in achieving success in their work. In 2016, there were 18, 610 Hawaiian speakers on the islands.
"One hundred thousand is the approximate number of speakers needed to consider the language safe, " says Solomon, professor of Hawaiian language at University of Hawai'i at Manoa. "The idea is that there are enough people passing it on to the next generation, socializing their children to use the language in all domains of life, to express all thoughts and needs and desires. "
Fortunately, the kids of Pu' öhala Elementary will take the responsibility to continue the work of the current young adults defending the language, expanding access to ‘ölelo Hawai'i in part through TikTok and Instagram, and making the language a practical skill in adulthood. These youth, along with those committed to recovering the language from previous generations, share their hopes for the better.
