Library celebrates Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

Hawaiian language exhibit in library, with two cases of items, a poster, and a Hawaiian flag hanging above.

Closeup of old Hawaiian language newspaper

Hawaiian flag hangs from stair railing above exhibit, while two people stand on the landing behind it. — *Kalawaiʻa Nunies and ʻĀnela Akiu hang the Hawaiian flag above the Wela ka Hao exhibit in the Hamilton Library lobby.*

Each February, Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month) celebrates and encourages the use of Hawaiʻi’s native language, honoring its vital role in culture, knowledge, and community. This month, Hamilton Library is offering several ways for patrons to connect with and learn more about ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

In the lobby, Kalawaiʻa Nunies and ʻĀnela Akiu from Native Hawaiian Student Services partnered with Kapena Shim from the Hawaiian Collection to curate an exhibit highlighting Hawaiian-language materials from the collection. Titled “Wela Ka Hao,” the exhibit features newspapers, government publications, periodicals, contemporary newsletters, and children’s books, showcasing how generations—past and present—have continued to perpetuate and strengthen the Hawaiian language.

Screenshot of social media video with student standing in front of Hawaiian language display and making shakas with her hands. — *Kaiya-Juliette Kapaku*

Hamilton Library’s social media content creator, Kaiya-Juliette Kapaku, is a student writer for Ka Ulu Hoi, one of the publications featured in the exhibit. The student-led Hawaiian language newspaper was founded in 1972 by Ka Hui Aloha ʻĀina Tuahine. Kapaku’s latest article, which will be published soon, highlights the library and the exhibit. Readers will be able to find the story at www.kauluhoi.org. Kapaku, the first student to pursue multiple degrees in Business Entrepreneurship and Hawaiian Language at UH Mānoa, also has an article being published this month in the Ka Leo o Hawaiʻi student newspaper.

Through her social media work at the library, Kapaku aims to spotlight engaging campus and library events, highlight hidden gems, and thoughtfully weave ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi into everyday spaces across our community. This week, as we close out Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, she continues our Word of the Week and ʻŌlelo Noʻeau series on our social media channels. Last week’s word was “hale waihona puke,” and our featured proverb was “ʻAʻa i ka hula, waiho i ka hilahila i ka hale.” Find out what they mean on our Instagram or Facebook, and keep an eye out for this week’s final word and ʻōlelo noʻeau as we celebrate the language together.

Kapaku also wanted to announce Kawaihuelani’s Lā Launa Pū event this Friday, Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the lawn along Maile Way, near Hamilton Library.

“Join us as we bring our community together in celebration of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, culture, and connection,” she said. “Come spend the morning with us, support our haumāna, enjoy free food, and be part of the ʻike and aloha that make this gathering so meaningful. We hope to see you there.”