The Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday to recognize February as Mahina ‘Olelo Hawaii, or Hawaiian Language Month.
The Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday to recognize February as Mahina ‘Olelo Hawaii, or Hawaiian Language Month.
Introduced by North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba entirely in Hawaiian, County Resolution 308 would promote the revival of ‘Olelo Hawaii each February through the establishment of Mahina ‘Olelo Hawaii.
Kona Councilwoman Maile David called the resolution “the most powerful resolution (she had) ever heard in (her) career,” recalling that, as a child, she was banned from speaking Hawaiian in schools.
“I never thought this would happen,” David said. “My heart is so happy today.”