Hale Reading

We often discuss the importance of fitting the system to us as Hawaiians rather than the other way around. This is a prime example of integrating technology into our culture. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the place that ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi has made within schools and learning systems. It is the result of three individualʻs desire that there is this computer system for us as Hawaiians. Often times I think we over look the leaps and bounds we have made with our language. Instead of carrying around a huge dictionary, we can simply look to our laptops, ipads, phones and log onto wehewehe.org. Not only is technology being integrated successfully in the kula haʻahaʻa, it is finding its way to kula kiʻekiʻe, kula nui, and now iphone applications as well. Not only have they created a new and beneficial system to keiki, it is also pushing to creation of new words. I am starting to look at this papa with a new lens...We hear time and time again from our guest speakers the success and joy that comes from loving and learning your culture and creating a career in which you love. This previous sterotype of only being able to be a teacher as Hawaiian studies major is slowly diminishing. We have also talked about being able to "beat" the system through going through it. I think it is great that we have people who have the ʻike of both their culture and some of todayʻs modern-world...like the example of creating "Leoki". Itʻs great that individuals are taking the incentive to further their knowledge while keeping their culture in mind as well. It is through continual examples such as this one that we will be able to further ourselves as a people.