Three weekly online ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes have already received more than 31,000 combined views on Facebook.
The Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi (ASUH) said it is encouraging news during this difficult time. The COVID-19 pandemic forced UH Mānoa’s undergraduate student government to relocate the packed Campus Center Ballroom and Courtyard in-person classes to online Facebook Live sessions. Organizers said they are trying to continue educating the community as all UH classes moved online for the remainder of the spring semester and first summer session.
“Even when we transitioned online, there’s been a lot of support from everyone. I was sad when we had to cancel all in-person classes. However, we didn’t want this pandemic to limit us. From the beginning of this class, we’ve faced numerous challenges, but we’ve always persevered,” said ASUH Vice President Raiyan Rafid, who introduced the bill appropriating funds for the classes.
- Related UH News story: ASUH offers free ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi classes at UH Mānoa
The free classes are every Wednesday, 3–4 p.m. on KTUH Honolulu’s Facebook page. If you are unable to tune in live, the classes are archived and available anytime. All of the classes and PowerPoint slides are also on the ASUH website.
Paige Okamura and Akea Kahikina are graduate students, fluent ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi speakers and class instructors. The course is offered in partnership with Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.
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—By Marc Arakaki
