Every seminal moment in Hawaiian history, whether strife or stride, in some way was affected by a combination of activism, advocacy and diplomacy that led to critical shifts of varying degrees in norms, perspectives and policy. While advocacy is a skill that, like others, must be cultivated and refined via training and practical application in relevant contexts, there are those whose upbringing and world-view position them as “natural advocates” for certain issues.

Pulakaulāhui is a training program for youth who have been educated in indigenous medium and immersion programs who are therefore “fruits of indigenous language advocacy.” If not for the advocacy efforts of the generations before them, they would not have had the privilege of growing up speaking their languages. Who better to now step forward and lead the charge for our indigenous languages!