When you give a baby an inoa, she must learn to say it. If she learns to say it, she introduces herself with it. If she introduces herself, they will wonder. If they wonder, she will tell them. If she tells them, then they, too, will know. E ola mau ka olelo Hawaii.
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Posted by Kainoahemolele on February 20, 2009 at 11:31am
Directions:1. With a red piece of chalk, draw a circle on a busy sidewalk large enough to fit about five kanaka sitting down.2. On the outside of the circle following the curve of the circle write: "A Sanctuary: within the circle Hawaiian language only"3. On the inside of the circle right beneath the Olelo Pelekane following the curve of the circle write: "He Puuhonua: Olelo Hawaii wale no"4. Sit in the middle of the circle and wait. If someone should enter the circle, greet them: "Aloha mai, pehea oe?"5. Continue to olelo Hawaii to your guests within the circle teaching them and encouraging them all the time remembering that you represent your kupuna with what you say and do and how you react . Do not respond to confrontation.6. Be patient with yourself and your guests. Make friends :) You may want to bring games to play like checkers or cards, anything to create conversation.7. When you are finished, wash away the Puuhonua with a bucket of water. Malama pono.If you saw a lonely kanaka sitting in a red circle on the sidewalk of Kalakaua Avenue what would you do? It is my hope that the practice of creating these olelo Hawaii circles will increase the opportunity to olelo Hawaii outside of the classroom. Many of us leave kulanui with the ability to olelo but lose it for lack of use. There are thousands of us whose use of the language is limited to online chatting or reading or speaking to only those in our families and halau. I hope to change that.E ola mau ka olelo Hawaii!
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