Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
—KĀNE‘OHE, HAWAI‘I
Nā Leo Hiehie o ke Koʻolau is an annual Hawaiian language speech competition held at Windward Community College to open Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month).
On January 30, 2026, students from kindergarten through high school gathered at Hale ʻĀkoakoa to present memorized passages and original speeches entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. The competition is designed to support confidence in public speaking, language fluency, and the continued growth of Hawaiian immersion education.
This video includes:
• Competition highlights from multiple grade-level divisions
• Student reflections on what ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi means to them
• Remarks from Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg
• Perspectives from ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi on the purpose of the competition
• Scenes of families, schools, and community members supporting participating haumāna
Nā Leo Hiehie o ke Koʻolau is made possible through a partnership between Windward Community College, Kanaeokana, ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
Selected students from this competition were invited to share their speeches at the Ola Ka ʻĪ community event the following day at Windward Mall as part of statewide Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi celebrations.
E OLA MAU KA ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I | THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE LIVES
Event Details
📍 Hale ʻĀkoakoa, Windward Community College
📅 January 30, 2026
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Terms
ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi – Hawaiian language
haumāna – student
kumu – teacher
ʻohana – family
hoʻokūkū – competition
—KĀNE‘OHE, HAWAI‘I
Nā Leo Hiehie o ke Koʻolau is an annual Hawaiian language speech competition held at Windward Community College to open Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month).
On January 30, 2026, students from kindergarten through high school gathered at Hale ʻĀkoakoa to present memorized passages and original speeches entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. The competition is designed to support confidence in public speaking, language fluency, and the continued growth of Hawaiian immersion education.
This video includes:
• Competition highlights from multiple grade-level divisions
• Student reflections on what ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi means to them
• Remarks from Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg
• Perspectives from ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi on the purpose of the competition
• Scenes of families, schools, and community members supporting participating haumāna
Nā Leo Hiehie o ke Koʻolau is made possible through a partnership between Windward Community College, Kanaeokana, ʻAhahui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
Selected students from this competition were invited to share their speeches at the Ola Ka ʻĪ community event the following day at Windward Mall as part of statewide Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi celebrations.
E OLA MAU KA ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I | THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE LIVES
Event Details
📍 Hale ʻĀkoakoa, Windward Community College
📅 January 30, 2026
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Terms
ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi – Hawaiian language
haumāna – student
kumu – teacher
ʻohana – family
hoʻokūkū – competition
