#eolakaolelohawaii

[kataibusaibiin]

First, lemme say, as malihini (foreigner, guest) in Hawai'i nei, to learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is our kuleana (both privilege+responsibility). Given the history and ongoing illegal occupation, learning even just a little ʻōlelo and doing our part to renormalize its day-to-day use is the least - and I do mean the bare minimum - I or anyone else visiting as tourist or living on this 'āina can do. And it should be done with respect for nā kānaka oiwi, their culture, and their ʻāina as language is not separate of these things.

I am no expert and clearly I still have a lot to learn and need all the help I can get, but if anyone else is eager to learn too, I'm happy to share some of the resources others have shared with me to supplement my online classes. Many are free and available online! 

Now, having said that, e kala mai! Please don't take this as an invitation to roast me but if you're kānaka and/or nā po'e ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, please do feel free to offer feedback! I am always eager to learn and practice with others!! I am truly humbled by the opportunity to do so. 

For context, some friends and I were hoping to meet up via zoom last night to study and practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi together. We are trying to meet up regularly to practice and encourage each other. Our goal for this week was to polish our ho'olauna (introductions). Unfortunately, we had to cancel/reschedule. But I've challenged myself to practice speaking every day (and not just practice my reading/writing comprehension), even if itʻs just for a few minutes. So.....

I recorded myself practicing and ya'll get to be my accountability buddies this time.

I've been learning 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi online since this summer. One challenge I face no matter what language I speak (even English) is overcoming my social anxieties. I often freeze and/or nervously fumble over my words, particularly in group settings. Of course, this increases the less familiar I am with the language and/or culture. What fun! Aaaand Zoom classes tend to bump the dial up several notches and send my anxiety soaring through the roof. The emotional landscape of the state of the world certainly doesnʻt help either! So, Iʻm trying to make concerted efforts outside of class to help me lean into the challenges of learning online and my own discomfort. So, here we are...

Please note, this isn't my formal or more traditional ho'olauna but this is my effort to stretch and try to finds ways to speak to some of the many questions that often come up whenever I have to introduce myself, particularly when it comes to where I am "from"... Spoiler alert: I am a multi-ethnic Shimanchu, born on the island of Uchinaa but raised in the diaspora. You can call me Okinawan /  Uchinaanchu or Ryukyuan / LooChooan but please know that I am NOT Japanese. Being given Japanese citizenship at birth does not erase the violent overthrow of our Kingdom and ongoing illegal occupation of the Loo Choo islands.  No matter how much the Japanese government has tried to kill and/or beat or erase Shimanchu and the rich history and culture of the Loo Choo Kingdom, they cannot take away the blood that runs through my veins and the pride I hold in my heart for all of the gifts and lessons my ancestors have passed down to me.

Also, much like trying to learn my own heritage languages like Uchinaaguchi or Chahta Anumpa, it can be challenging to find folks who are both willing and able to practice indigenous languages, thanks to colonialism and the intergenerational trauma and institutional erasure or other barriers it creates/created. But I have been truly inspired by innovative and empowering ways indigenous brothers/sisters/siblings across the globe are leveraging technology to heal, connect, and overcome these hurdles, especially during these times of social distancing. (I mean, have yʻall been on TikTok??) So, here's my attempt to use technology to break down some of these barriers while also confronting some of my fears. Who knows...maybe itʻll inspire someone else to tackle some of your own fears, transform the way you think about technology, ....or perhaps (hopefully!) it'll make you pause to think about our individual and collective responsibility to decolonize ourselves and our communities and to honor the lands we call home - and the indigenous / aboriginal / First Nations peoples of the lands where we live - wherever in the world we find ourselves. (OK, gonna stop there for now before I start ranting about Asian Settler Colonialism, but consider this me lovingly calling in all Shimanchu here in Hawaiʻi to join me...)

OK. One minute challenge. Here we go!! *deep breaths*

[malialaka]

Ha so true, But not at my house by age 2 because Tim and I swear. I never used to swear alot, Ied hold my tongue; or get super agitated or drink coffee until Tim, I was put on time restraints and curfews. Being on someone’s schedule causes you to get chores backed up. Those who know me , I like to complete a task and clean house, keep it cordial. Less is more, do more educating and share some of my savings. My Kiddo swore ..., and I don’t spank my kid, Soooo I Pay my boy and my nephews $.25 for every time #temanalove says... “ Hey don’t swear.” - - Tim started saying, tell your mom “Don’t swear! “ as if he doesn’t. - - If Tim says “don’t swear”, or a hawaiian word... Temana gets $1.00 , big grin to match. If @timyr6 swears, Temana gets $.50. ...Temana moves his #mylilfatgecko mouth to give that lil kiddo some change. Lil bro Shawn knows sign language and says “please and thank you, and kisses.” Guess who’s richer #savingsaccount is greater them vs mom, plus the understanding of allowance and spending, and doesn’t swear? The 3 year old gecko @laniakea_love !!! Temana gets a kick out of it, thankfully each is their own...and they share. Kid doesn’t just give his bro hand me downs, he hands down teamwork and wisdom. I don’t swear much, it’s still fun tho when Temana catches a few, he treats us to icecream shop. Kids’ 7. I’ll miss this kid as time flies by. #qualitytime #proudparent #easymoney #studytime #parenting #repeatafterme #richkids #bank #trust #love #parenthood #grateful #dontswear #pottymouth #heydontswear #myfavoritehaole #shawnlaniakea #coding #signlanguage #teamwork #eolakaolelohawaii #kids #alohatoyoutoo #motherhoodunplugged

[samkapoi]

Giving back is da key to my success. Go try em, go... 🙌 #sony #a7s #dji #ronin #Zeiss #hawaii #waianae #maili #punanaleoOwaianae #hiipepe #ForDaKeiki #EOlaKaOleloHawaii #ALOHAAINA (at www.SamKapoi.com)

[lahoihoiea]

Repost from @manoahine, "Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue papa 2002 ma Mākaha 2014. #welohaaheo #welohawaii #haehawaii #lahoihoiea #ehikuwaleno #pihamakahiki12 #eolakaolelohawaii" (at #welohaaheo)

[malialaka]

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A post shared by Temana Kaikoa Ohana (@hawaiianwatermovement)

Mahalo to those running media online cause we no mo, no get, no watch tv if we always on action . #breaktime @oiwitv In the beginning of 2018, Kaleikoa Kaʻeo, a professor at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, represented himself in a court hearing in Hawaiian. Since the court has previously decided that this particular hearing would be heard in English, the court did not recognize him when using Hawaiian. Kaleikoa was eventually charged with a bench warrant for his arrest. This decision galvanized many Hawaiian language supporters to rethink and reevaluate ways to reaffirm the use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in the courtroom. . Watch ʻĀhaʻi ʻŌlelo Ola: Building Hawaiian Language Capacity NOW on oiwi.tv and on our digital channel 326. #olelohawaii #eolakaolelohawaii . Follow the link in our profile for the full video.

[malialaka]

No need hand held device when driving...makemake au e kamaʻilio i ke kolamu i koʻu mea holo kaʻa #hoaaloha #eolakaolelohawaii ... ...Having to Turn on and off the language of Hawaii and of English can be a hard ache, but it’s a must do. We should be able to communicate and her mother Tom as well as being a good host. Please support Hawaiian language and submit your testimony for both immersion schools and public schools to provide ‘olelo Hawai’i / ‘olelo maoli / ‘olelo niihau / ‘olelo noeau . Mahalo everybody @peleketeke @ahapunanaleo @kanakapcs @studiokawaikini @meatreef (at Puhi, Hawaii)

[malialaka]

#sharealoha we want to learn, you can learn. We can learn #olelohawaii #hawaiianlanguage . Follow hashtag #eolakaolelohawaii #kuiikalonomlc #kuiikalono #olelonoeau #kumucards #wehewehewednesdays (at Kauai)

[malialaka]

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A post shared by Temana Kaikoa Ohana (@hawaiianwatermovement)

#shareolelo #sharethelove @tiare4maui The next generation will be even stronger. We just getting started. #eolakaolelohawaii #eolakaʻōlelohawaiʻi #olelohawaiʻichallenge #hawaiianlanguage #language #polysemantic #linguistics #lexicon #polysemanticeffect #Huli2018

[samkapoi]

A message to #CBS #doodlebops. It's 'UKULELE, not Ukuleli. #mahalo #eolakaolelohawaii #dontgetittwisted #sayitcorrectly #damnit #aloha @oiwitv #oiwitv #stopkillingourlanguage (at Hilton Garden Inn)

[samkapoi]

Ho'omau is Back! #eolakaolelohawaii #hoomau #concert #support #hawaiian #language #hawaii #holomua #imua #onipaa #waianae #waiau #punanaleo (at Bishop Museum)

[samkapoi]

Uncle #IZ came on @pandora and my Kū boy started to himeni and went into #hula. #EOLAKAOLELOHAWAII #proudfather #CryBaby action lol (at Piliokahe)