On December 9, 2011, the College Council approved the formation of Ka ʻĪkoi Leo: Hawaiʻi Language Culture Committee. The purpose of Ka ʻĪkoi Leo is to promote the use and understanding of the Hawaiian language (ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi) within a traditional cultural context and to serve as a resource for the HawCC Kauhale. Ka ʻĪkoi Leo is currently working on translating our Mission and Vision statements, the description of Kauhale and our ILOs into ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Ka ʻĪkoi Leo is also providing assistance to the editors of our 2011 Self-Evaluation to ensure the proper use and spelling of ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi within this very important document.
Cultural Background on Name: the ʻīkoi is the core or the “inner tongue” of the ʻulu, or breadfruit. Because the word ʻulu (with glottal) is similar to the word ulu (without glottal) that means inspiration, the word ʻīkoi is used to communicate the Hawaiian value of communicating in ways that inspire.
Membership is open to all members of our Kauhale and island community, and you do not need to be able to speak Hawaiian. If you are interested in being a member of Ka ʻĪkoi Leo, please contact Mahina Gronquist, Interim Chair at (808) 934-2705 or leslielg@hawaii.edu.
Ka ʻĪkoi Leo: Hawaiʻi Language Culture Committee resides within the Kauhale Initiative, with direct report to the office of Chancellor Yamane.