In honor of February being Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month, the Department of the Interior released new guidance on the use of the Hawaiian language, with the intent to spotlight Hawaiian culture.
The new Departmental Manual chapter aims to demonstrate the government’s commitment to prioritizing Indigenous knowledge and culture in conservation stewardship, according to Kauai Now.
“Prioritizing the preservation of the Hawaiian language and culture and elevating Indigenous Knowledge is central to the Biden-Harris administration’s work to meet the unique needs of the Native Hawaiian Community,” said Secretary Deb Haaland in a press release. “As we deploy historic resources to Hawaiʻi from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Interior Department is committed to ensuring our internal policies and communications use accurate language and data.”
The new guidance emerged from virtual consultation sessions last year, with input from ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi advocates, instructors and practitioners, according to Kauai Now.
The measure outlines that department bureaus and offices who engage with the Native Hawaiian community must follow the guidance on the Hawaiian language when referencing places including cultural sites, geographic places and government facilities, Kauai Now reported.
HI-EMA's Hawaiian Word of the Day is – Pu‘unaue. Divide to Share! pic.twitter.com/L5mE5iDCOg
— Hawaii EMA (@Hawaii_EMA) February 24, 2024
LATEST STORIES
This initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s aim to strengthen relationships with the Native Hawaiʻian community, such as through their work with the Kapapahuliau Climate Resilience Program and Hawaiian Forest Bird Keystone Initiative, the press release noted.
Island News reported that Hawaiʻi House Rep. Diamond Garcia hopes to further efforts to promote Hawaiian cultural practices through House Bill 2540, which would mandate public school students in Hawaii to pass two years of Hawaiian language.
“Per the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, ‘Olelo Hawaii is one of two official languages in Hawaiʻi. If Hawaiian is an official language then it MUST be a requirement of learning in Hawaiʻi public schools,” said Garcia to Island News.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our efforts to produce diverse content about the AAPI communities. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
