Travel Articles And News On Vacations

Hawaiian Tourism Industry Embraces Native Names

(PRWEB) October 2, 2007 -- Hawaiians are embracing the resurgence of their native language and this pride in their heritage is influencing all aspects of island life, even what to name your rental condo or villa. The popular Hawaii-based vacation rental company Hawaiian Beach Rentals is even incorporating native words into their email newsletters. "We are a local company, and our understanding of the local culture is part of what allows us to make your vacation special. By sprinkling native words in our newsletters, it encourages people to look up the meaning of the word and many times results in a greater understanding of the culture they are traveling to. A trip to Hawaii is about much more than beautiful beaches and quaint Kauai vacation rentals (http://www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/Hawaii/Kauai/rentals1.htm), it is a culture experience" explains owner Jeff Berzolla.

According to Kapa'anaokalaokeola Oliveira, an assistant professor of Hawaiian at the University of Hawaii, "Today, I think there's revitalization. People are encouraging their children to speak Hawaiian." Many of the traditions of Hawaii were kept alive for the tourism industry. Those staying in Maui condos (www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/Hawaii/Maui/condos1.htm) also appreciate this local culture. It's been over one hundred years since a law was enacted to wipe out the culture. In 1896, three years after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, the new law stated, "The English language shall be the medium and basis of instruction in all public and private schools." No longer did young people speak the language.

Fortunately, it didn't die out completely before Hawaiian was re-established as the official language of the state in 1978. Then in 1990, the federal government adopted a policy of recognizing the right to preserve, use and support indigenous languages.

For over a hundred years it looked like the language was going away slowly as the elders died. Fortunately, on the privately owned island of Ni'ihau, Hawaiian continued to be used and thrived. Ni'ihau's 160 residents all speak Hawaiian.

It's a long road that started in 1983 when a small group of educators began a revival program for the Hawaiian language. At that time about 50 children spoke the language. Now over 2,000 children speak the rhythmic fluid sounds of the Hawaiian language proficiently.

Still, fluency is rare - about 1 percent of the state's 180,000 public school students attend immersion programs. One of the fortunate occurrences that has helped keep the language in use is also that Hawaiian words are frequently used around the islands. Many towns are vowel-filled Hawaiian names such as Ka'a'awa and foods such as mahimahi and poi. Little things have also helped to keep the language common place such as giving homes names. For instance, many Oahu vacation rentals (http://www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/Hawaii/Oahu/rentals1.htm) in Hawaii have beautiful names associated with them.

One school in Ke'eau Hawaii is doing something about it. At this school you won't find the library walls lined with portraits of the presidents of the United States. Instead you'll find the Hawaiian royalty, from King Kamehameha to Princess Ka'iulani. Students leave their rubber slippers by the door and go barefoot in school. The calendar says the month is Malaki.

At this wonderful school, English is used only during the one hour English class. Hawaiian language and culture fill the entire school from the hallways to the playground. Hawaiian culture also defines the mission of Ke Kula 'O Nawahiokalani'opu'u Iki or Nawahi for short. Courses in various subjects are taught entirely in Hawaiian - helping to preserve and revive the native tongue.

This school, one of 23 immersion programs offered in the state, started as a laboratory school affiliated with the University of Hawaii at Hilo. More than just the Hawaiian language is taught. Students also take courses in how to grow sweet potatoes, how to study the land and even how to build a Hawaiian canoe. Speaking the language is significant according to a 10th grader. "It's important because I'm the only one in my family who speaks Hawaiian. I can make a difference and I can revive my language."

There are many poetic words used throughout the islands that have helped keep the language alive. Words such as aloha, which is more than just a greeting. It means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth and caring with no feeling of commitment for anything in return. It is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for the collective existence. Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable. What a beautiful language and spirit, one that can still be learned by those students in immersion classes and by those living on the islands as a whole.

Other words used in Hawaii include words associated with eating and living. Lomi comes from the Hawaiian word for massage, knead or rub and is used with LomiLomi Salmon. Pua Iki or Ocean House is the name of an Oahu vacation home.

There is still a long road ahead before the language is totally revived and people are taking http:// Maui vacations (www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/Hawaii/Maui/rentals1.htm) to study the language or to practice the language they learned on the mainland, but it is definitely a movement in the right direction. This earth is losing more indigenous people and their cultures at a rate faster than ever before. Where else can you find the people and the government working together to revive and maintain the beautiful culture and language of the Hawaiian Islands?

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