hawaiianska

Hawaiianska is a term sometimes used to refer to the Hawaiian language, also known as ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. It is an Austronesian language spoken by the indigenous Hawaiian people. Historically, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi was the primary language of the Hawaiian Islands, used in all aspects of life, including oral traditions, religion, governance, and daily communication. The language has a rich oral literature, including chants (mele), genealogies (moʻokūʻauhau), and legends.

The arrival of Westerners in the late 18th century and subsequent annexation of Hawaii by the United States led to a significant decline in the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. English became the dominant language, and its use was actively discouraged in schools and public life. This period of suppression resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of native speakers.

In recent decades, there has been a concerted effort to revitalize and preserve ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. This revitalization movement includes the establishment of immersion schools (Pūnana Leo), the development of language curricula, and the promotion of the language in media and cultural events. While the number of native speakers remains small, the language is experiencing a resurgence, with a growing number of people learning and using ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. The Hawaiian language is recognized as an official language of the State of Hawaii, alongside English.