#ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi

US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $1.3 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for ʻAha Pūnana Leo. The funding will be used to train teachers, support families, and develop new early childhood education Hawaiian language materials, such as books and videos, to help young children build literacy and math skills.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced that a new, statewide priority placement process for Kaiapuni Education (Hawaiian language immersion programs) will open on Feb. 2, 2026, marking an important step toward greater consistency, clarity and equity for families seeking Kaiapuni options for their children. The application window will close March 13, 2026.

University of Hawaiʻi researchers have published a new study that brings together ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge), ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and western marine science to shed new light on one of the ocean’s most elusive predators, the cookiecutter shark.

Since its launch, Mai Ka Pūnana Mai has become both a go-to resource and a relatable source of entertainment for individuals, families, and educators committed to normalizing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in everyday life. Each episode continues that mission with down-to-earth dialogue, cultural insight, and community connection.

A ceremonial check was presented on March 29 to Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui, the nonprofit that organizes Hoʻomau and supports Pūnana Leo o Maui, an immersion preschool in Wailuku.

Its latest Hawaiian language production, Puana, was invited to perform this June at the Kia Mau Festival, an international Indigenously-led performing arts festival in Aotearoa (New Zealand). The festival is a premier showcase of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous performing arts. 

The community is invited to join in celebrating the Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Language Month, at the upcoming event, “ʻŌlelo Under the Stars.” This special evening of live music and Hawaiian language bingo will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Kalana Pākuʻi O Maui, located at 250 S. High St. in Wailuku.

The Maui County Council gave final approval Friday to legislation providing Hawaiian language and culture-based learning for county employees in partnership with University of Hawaiʻi – Maui College. The bills also implement requirements to include ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in official documents pursuant to Charter Section 13-17.