2008 marks the 30^th anniversary of the recognition of Hawaiian as an official language of the state of Hawai‘i. ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i is thriving today thanks to this recognition and the subsequent establishment of educational organizations dedicated to instruction in the Hawaiian language. Join Kamehameha Schools Kapālama students as they celebrate this important milestone through mele of our past and present.

About the Pre-Show Documentary

After a century of disuse due to suppression and discouragement, Hawaiian became an official language of the State of Hawai‘i in 1978. Since then, Hawai‘i has undertaken tremendous efforts to revive the language through immersion programs, educational opportunities in preschool through college, and increased community support for a renaissance in Hawaiian language and culture.

About Song Contest

The Song Contest has been an important tradition of Kamehameha since the first annual competition in 1921. Miss Laura Brown, a director of music at Kamehameha between 1926 and 1947, stated that “the objective of the song contest are to build up the repertoire of the best in Hawaiian music for the cultural heritage of any student who attends Kamehameha; to develop leadership, cooperation and good class spirit; and to give students the use of their singing voices and to give them pleasure in singing as a means of expression.” Today, the Song Contest represents a proud tradition spanning 88 years of Kamehameha’s history.

[ Back to top ]