Families from Ka ʻIwa Hoʻolaʻi, a hui dedicated to celebrating the use of the Hawaiian language, traveled to Disneyland during Presidents Day weekend to speak ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi during Hawaiian Language Month. Kids who participated in the trip included preschool, elementary and middle school students, as well as a few seniors from Lahainaluna High School.
The trip took place from Feb. 13 through Feb. 17, said Kahōkū Lindsey-Asing, one of the organizers of the trip. February marks Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month.
“We celebrate Hawaiian language not just in February, but every day,” said Lindsey-Asing, in a written statement. “Our keiki show us that our language is thriving, and trips like this help reinforce its place in their lives in a fun and memorable way.”
Lindsey-Asing is also the president of Keu, The Brand, a nonprofit with “a mission to create, strengthen, and increase Hawaiian Medium Education opportunities in the community and the world; with a focus on Hawaiian Medium Education teacher support, community relationships, organizational collaborations, and global travel,” according to its website.
“Watching our keiki enjoy the magic of Disney while speaking Hawaiian with their friends and classmates is truly heartwarming,” said Annie Aki, a parent traveling with the group to Disneyland, in a written statement. “To hear them laughing, playing, and fully immersed in both their language and the Disney experience is something I will always cherish. It’s a reminder that our language is alive, and that we can continue to nurture and support its growth in all aspects of life.”
This was the group’s fourth annual trip, which started in 2021, Lindsey-Asing told Aloha State Daily.
“Initially, it started as a way to take a lot of our Hawaiian language keiki on a field trip during Covid,” Lindsey-Asing said. “As we were slowly coming out of Covid, these kids had been locked down and there hadn’t been any field trips while they're in school. We're like: ʻOK, I have something crazy. Let's go to Disneyland.’ To my surprise, all the parents were like, ‘OK, let's go.’ "
About 100 kids participated in that first trip. In 2026, the hui plans to go to Japan, where students will do a cultural exchange, visit a Japanese-speaking school and go to Disneyland, Lindsey-Asing said.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
