Born and raised on Maui, Kekoa Harman, an associate professor of 撸sir视频ian studies and 撸sir视频ian language at , recalls his ʻōlelo 撸sir视频ʻi (撸sir视频ian language) journey beginning in the seventh 撸sir视频e at his alma mater, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Growing up, Harman learned many 撸sir视频ian chants and songs, which propelled him to learn ʻōlelo 撸sir视频ʻi, to gain a better understanding.
“I was especially interested in hula,” Harman said. “[That] inspired me to learn the language further so that I could understand what I was chanting, what I was singing, and what I was dancing about.”
After high school, he continued 撸sir视频ian language at then Maui Community College and earned an associate in arts degree. Hungry for more, Harman came to 撸sir视频 Hilo, which continues to be recognized for its crucial role in the revitalization and advancement of 撸sir视频ian language. He would go on to secure a BA in 撸sir视频ian studies and MA in Indigenous language and culture education and doctorate in .
Much more than a degree
The Maui native now calls Keaʻau home and is thankful to be a kumu ʻōlelo 撸sir视频ʻi at 撸sir视频 贬颈濒辞’蝉 College of 撸sir视频ian Language. He recognizes teaching 撸sir视频ʻi’s mother tongue extends much farther than the Hilo campus.
“This is a large community when we talk about the 撸sir视频ian language movement, when we look at the preschool all the way up to the college level right here in East 撸sir视频ʻi. We are a part of something that’s much more than just a degree or a 撸sir视频ian language course. We are part of a movement, part of a community,” Harman said.
Harman is 撸sir视频 贬颈濒辞’蝉 representative for 撸sir视频ʻi Papa O Ke Ao, a program tasked to create activities in support of 撸sir视频 being a leader in Indigenous education across all 10 campuses across the 撸sir视频 system. He?s also a member of the —a campus-based group of faculty and staff who are Native 撸sir视频ian or associated with Native 撸sir视频ian programs. In this role, he hopes to promote Native 撸sir视频ian culture and language on campus.
—By Nāpua Iolana Bicoy