The struggle to raise the standard of teaching and learning in Hawaiian language immersion classrooms has long posed a challenge since the program’s inception 21 years ago.

A shortage of experts to develop curricula materials, particularly children’s books, and a shortage of funds to produce the curricula influenced associate professor Sam L. No'eau Warner of UH Mānoa’s Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language to develop curricula materials focusing primarily on Hawaiian language and literacy. 

With the help of a grant, I Mua Nō Ka ‘Ulu, awarded in 2005 and funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Native Hawaiian Education Act, Warner recently published 31 Hawaiian language books for Hawaiian immersion classrooms.  They are aimed at helping Hawaiian immersion children and beginning learners and above to learn specific grammatical structures, vocabulary and/or ways of speaking of kupuna, that have been problematic.

Boxed sets of the hard-covered, glossy and colorfully illustrated books were delivered to about 100 classrooms across the state of Hawai‘i, including 24 Hawaiian Immersion Schools. Each book was illustrated by a local artist who added his or her own unique, local flavor.

While the primary focus for the grant was literacy for children in grades K-3, books were provided to all classrooms in grades K-12.  By fostering the learning of Hawaiian in the entire immersion community, everyone can be on the same page.

For a complete listing of book titles, contact No’eau Warner at noeau@hawaii.edu or 956-3560.

No Ka Manu Hea Keia Nuku? (To Which Bird Does This Beak Belong?), illustrated by Debra Koonohiokala Gregory.

Manu Palupalu (Soft Bird), retold by K. Laiana Wong, and illustrated by Harinani Orme.

 

'Oiai Au E Hiamoe Ana (While I Was Sleeping), illustrated by Chuck Souza.

  

Ua Kau Ko'u Weli (I Was Terrified), illustrated by Solomon Enos.

Tags: Hawaiian immersion schools, Hawaiian language, Native Hawaiian Education Act, Sam L. No'eau

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