As a critical strategy of language and culture revitalization, Hawaiian language medium-immersion schools have changed Hawaiʻi’s educational landscape. The preparation of teachers for immersion education is unique within the field of teacher training and has been developed under a distinctive mandate from the state legislature. This He ʻŌlelo Ola 2021 "Kahuawaiola: The Hawaiian Language College's Teacher Education Program" presentation will describe the resulting program and its preparation and continued support of kumu mauli ola Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian cultural identity teachers) for various school models including preschool to secondary classrooms.

About He ʻŌlelo Ola

He ʻŌlelo Ola, also known as the "Hilo Field Study" of the International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation (ICLDC) has been held biannually since 2009 in association with ICLDC. ICLDC is traditionally held on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on Oʻahu Island, while He ʻŌlelo Ola is held in a consortium of programs coordinated through the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island.

In 2021 during the COVID 19 pandemic, He ʻŌlelo Ola and ICLDC were held virtually. He ʻŌlelo Ola 2021 was recorded and we here make that recording available for viewing through Mokuola Honua Center for indigenous Language Excellence. The contents of this recording represent the consortium of entities working together in Hawaiian language revitalization as of March 2021. The consortium is continually growing and adding features and future He ʻŌlelo Ola will include new information and initiatives.

Explore mokuolahonua.com for further information on the Hawaiian language revitalization consortium efforts in Hilo, and to contact He ʻŌlelo Ola organizers.