Month: October 2004

Hokualaka’i Arrives.

It was quite a feeling watching Hokualaka’i enter Hilo harbor, a sight witnessed by hundreds at Hilo One. She was accompanied by Hokule’a, and greeting by the chants and songs of students from Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke’elikolani College of Hawaiian Language, Ke Kula ‘O Nawahiokalani’opu’u, the Punana Leo O Hilo, and many others. It was pure chicken skin, and the weather was gorgeous. It held that way until Larry Kimura announced the end of the formal program and we were able to eat. Only then did our normal Hilo weather (a strong downpour) returned. I’ll post more pictures later.…

iChat as a live translation tool.

We (faculty and students of our college of Hawaiian language and our laboratory school Ke Kula ‘O Nawahiokalani’opu’u) did an interesting panel at a Kamehameha Schools research conference in Kea’au today. Four people were in a panel discussion regarding their experiences in the Hawaiian medium education programs, which was done completely in Hawaiian. Four faculty members from the college translated their words into English, live, and we used iChat to display what they were saying for the ‘olelo-impared (my term for those who cannot speak or understand Hawaiian). There were a few glitches (font size a bit small and the…

Keola Joins A Union.

Something I didn’t think I’d ever say again, but the times they do change. I just joined UHPA (University of Hawai‘i Professional Assembly), the union that represents faculty in the University of Hawai’i system. I was only a union member once before. During my brief career as a member of the Maui Police Department, I was a member of SHOPO (State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers). I don’t have anything against unions in principal, it’s just that both my wife’s and my own families were victims of Hawai’i union thuggery in the 60s and 70s. I’ve watched UHPA during…

ICTM Presentation Proposal Accepted.

I just received confirmation that my proposal to present the research I conducted during the writing of my MA thesis has been accepted by the selection committee of the International Council of Traditional Music World Conference, which will be held in Sheffield, England in August 2005. I’ll be seeking a travel grant from our campus’ Research Council to assist in paying for this trip.

Musicians As Terrorists?

A few weeks ago a plane carrying British/Muslim singer Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) was diverted, and he was refused entry into the U.S. Yesterday, Irish singer Christy Moore was detained by British authorities and questioned regarding, among other things, the lyrics in some of this songs. No explanation was given to him as to why he was detained. What next, interrogation of Hawaiian performers whose songs advocate Hawaiian sovereignty? Frightening.

No room for Irish language in e-learning?

Riverdeep’s chief executive says that the Irish government needs to plan its e-learning strategy and warned that Irish Gaelic may be left out in the cold. The government, or advocates of the language, to be more accurate. We took the bull by the horns ourselves in this area for Hawaiian language. It’s and incredible opportunity for the language and its speakers if it is made a priority.

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