Sticking Up for the Hawaiian Language

    Wow, do we feel the love! The love and respect for the HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE that so many of you have...

    Thank you for voicing your support of PBS Hawaii's decision to insist on authenticity--in the narration of an episode in national TV series. In the show, shot on location on Hawaii Island and prepared for U.S. broadcast next month, the narrator badly mispronounces well-known Hawaiian words, like Mauna Kea ("Mona Kay").  Keaukaha, the name of the pono-embracing public school on Hawaiian Homestead land in Hilo, is unrecognizable.

     My blog entry on this subject last evening received hundreds and hundreds of hits overnight, and kept racking up hits all day. It was Facebooked and Twittered.  

     I'm struck by the reverence for the Hawaiian language and culture--especially as I notice a post on my blog by Hamakua Springs Country Farm owner Richard Ha. He has every reason to push for this TV program to run, no matter what, because he's a featured interviewee on the show and the exposure would undoubtedly help his business in tough times.

     Instead Richard writes after watching an advance copy of the show: "I cringed when I saw it." He thanks us for "doing the right thing." Inspiring, huh?

     Our team at PBS Hawaii looks forward to broadcasting with pride this otherwise fine program--after the national producers correct the pronunciation flaws. Are we nit-picking? Not when one considers that mis-stating Hawaiian words changes their meaning. A name is a name--not a general, hazy, "something like that" approximation.

    The Hawaiian language came close to extinction. It's back in vibrant use in many communities. Those of us who aren't fluent tend to try harder to learn more.

    But will the show producers make the repairs?

    They're professionals, and we're very hopeful. I'll let you know what happens when we're able to reach them.      

Comments

[Roy]

Leslie:

My congratulations to you and your team at PBS Hawaii. In these days where true journalism is fading in relevance and practice, it's reassuring to know that someone is keeping watch over our unique culture. Like a warped game of telephone, naive viewers of a documentary would pass on the incorrect pronunciations of words like "Hualalai." After all, if it's in a documentary, it must be correct, right?

Right on, PBS Hawaii.

[Dr.Rick Bennett]

Mahalo PBS

Its only pono to get the names correct. I learned the hard way. I had a Hawaiian cultural leader come out to my land and walk it inch by inch so that I would not inadvertently desecrate something cultural when I built my home and farm.

He was most pleased and I was proud. I shared my invented "Hawaiian" name for my new place and he stopped and said, What is wrong with its name? and then walked away.

It took me some months to figure out what Jimmy meant by it's name.

One day, boom, it hit me, all places here have a name and "it's name" is and has been Kukuiopae.

I learned a very important lesson about respect.

So lets change the community of Captain Cook, HI back to it's name Ka'awaloa!

Malama pono.

Dr. Rick

[Kanakalino]

While we are busy correcting mispronunciation of Hawaiian words by mainlanders, perhaps we could also ask on-air PBS-Hawaii program moderators to take more care.

For many years I have cringed every time I hear Dan Boylan pronounce the name of our beloved island chain. How long has he lived in Hawai'i anyway? But he's "liberal" so I guess he gets a pass.

"Hawai'i" should be a 3-syllable word. Hah-vy-ee. Dan always pronounces it totally flat as a 2-syllable word: Hah-why.

[Kainoa]

mahalo Leslie for your continued support of the rightful thing. Yes, Hawaiian is a language not just an approximation. Bravo to you Leslie. Hopefully the producers follow through to fix the flaws...

[Carol Brown]

a big mahalo from Canada. Yes, your courage to stand for what is right and pono even reaches here in the northern part of the north american continent. I love PBS ... in fact I get two channels, one from Seattle and one from Detroit and I EXPECT PBS to do the right thing. And I am so proud that you are doing the right thing for Hawai'i. You are NOT nitpicking, you are being respectful and protective of what is truly a treasure: Hawaiian culture, language and 'aina.

[leslie]

Hi Kanakalino,

Have you listened to Dan Boylan on "Insights on PBS Hawaii" lately? Please check in again on Thursday night and let us know what you think.

In response to constructive criticsm, Dan changed his pronunciation of the name of our island home.

Like I said, we're not perfect either. All we can do is keep learning and keep trying to do what's right.

Mahalo, Leslie

[Keith Hirata]

Your actions reflect great honor and respect for the people and culture of Hawai'i and I applaud you and the station! Mahalo nui from Madison, WI.

Aloha, Keith

Aloha
Alo = Presence
ha = (Divine) Breath

More than a word of greeting or farewell, it is a blessing.
It is only to be used with sincerity: "'Aloha' could not be
thoughtlessly or indiscriminately spoken, for it carried its own
power. No Hawaiian could greet another with 'Aloha'
unless he felt it in his own heart. If he felt anger or hate in
his heart, he had to cleanse himself before he said 'Aloha'."
-Queen Lili'uokalani

[Kanakalino]

'Ae, mahalo ia Leslie ame Dan Boylan. Dan is now pronouncing "Hawai'i" as a three-syllable word. Maika'i! We now know that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!