The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) encourages schools across the state to join in the celebration of February as Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Language Month.
The State Legislature made the official designation in 2013. In recognition of this designation, HIDOE would like to remind families about Hawaiian language immersion programs available at its public schools. Accomplishments of the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (HLIP) range from the growth and expansion of kaiapuni (immersion) schools to a globally recognized indigenous language and culture revitalization program.
"Currently, 2,600 students are learning through the medium of the Hawaiian language, and thousands of others are being exposed to the language and culture through a variety of classes, programs and events at our public schools," said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. "We thank our partners who have worked with us in the effort to prioritize and support Hawaiian language education."
HIDOE offers Ka Papahana Kaiapuni, a K-12 Hawaiian Language immersion initiative comprising of 15 public Kaiapuni schools, along with six public charter Kaiapuni schools from Hawaiʻi to Kauaʻi. Several public high schools offer Hawaiian language programs to fulfill high school graduation requirements and these language course credits are accepted at numerous universities and colleges as a world language prerequisite.
For more information about the Office of Hawaiian Education's HLIP and to find a Hawaiian language immersion program near you, click here.