Reply #27: It truly is a remarkable sight to see [View All]

[Quetzal]

Ever since the Hawaiian renissance of the 1970s, Hawaiian culture, language, and art has been on ascendency phase.

Believe it or not, it was mainly the kupuna that spoke Hawaiian prior to the 1970s. I heard stories from my parents that the Hawaiian speaking kupuna never bothered to teach their children "ka oleleo hawaii". Perhaps it was the shame associated with being Hawaiian - after all, Hawaiians were looked down upon as an ethnic group, even though they were original indengenous inhabitants of the 'aina.

There were no Hawaiian immersion schools until 1981 - when the first school opened for children who were interested in learning ka olelo hawaii. However, when applying to start up the institution, the organizers found out that they were restricted by law to open a such a school. The law was one of the many little devils that the annexationists forcibly slipped into state law.

The educational model was similar to the one that was used in Aotearoa (New Zeland) with the indigenous Maori population. From what I understand, they are ten years ahead in relation to where Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) are.