February is Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian Language Month)

During Pepeluali (February) special events are held throughout the Hawaiian pae ʻāina to celebrate Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian Language Month).

History of Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai’i 

From 1846-1943, Hawai’i laws were required to be published in both Hawaiian and English. In 1943, a law was enacted to end this dual language requirement. In additiona, three years after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, a law had banned the use of Hawaiian in schools. Less than 00 years later, ‘Olelo Hawai’i was near extinction. 

In the 1970s, the Hawaiian Language Revitalization Movement re-introduced ‘Olelo Hawai’i into schools (pre-K through university courses). In 1978, Hawaii State Constitution was amended to recognize the Hawaiian language as one of the two official languages of the State of Hawaiʻi. The Movement advocated for “Hawaiian Language Month” beginning in 1994.

In 2013, Act 28 permanently designated February as Hawaiian Language Month. In May 2022, Bill 11 was written entirely in Hawaiian, officially designating each February as Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian Language Month). The bill is only the second piece of legislation so rendered to be enacted into law.

 ‘Olelo Hawai’i Resources

• A fun and free way to learn Hawaiian! – Kanaeokana
• Ōlelo Online – Your Online Hawaiian Language Classroom
• Hawaii State Public Library System | Mango Languages
• Hawaii State Public Library System | Hawaiian words

2025 events for Hawaiian Language Month

Celebrate Mahina ‘Olelo Hawai’i with entertainment, games, shopping, dining, and fun for the entire ʻohana at the following events. More info: Hawaiian language | Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

• Hawaiʻi Island: Pepeluali 8, 2025, 10am – 3pm. Ola Ka ʻĪ Hilo ma Prince Kūhio Plaza. 
• Hawaiʻi Island: Malaki 1, 2025, 9am-3pm. Ola Ka ʻĪ Kona ma Keauhou Shopping Center. 
• Kauaʻi: Malaki 1, 2025, 10am – 3pm. Ola Ka ʻĪ Kauaʻi me Niʻihau ma Kukui Grove Center. 
• Maui: Pepeluali 15, 2025, 10am-2pm. Ola Ka ʻĪ Maui Nui ma Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. 
• Oʻahu: Pepeluali 1, 2025, 10am – 3pm. Ola Ka ʻĪ Koʻolau ma Windward Mall.
• Oʻahu: Pepeluali 8, 2025, 11am – 2pm. Ola Ka ʻĪ Honolulu ma Kahala Mall. 
• Oʻahu: Pepeluali 22, 2025, 10am-3om. Ola Ka ʻĪ ʻEwa ma Ka Makana Aliʻi. 

Kauaʻi: February 19, 2025 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language month): Hoʻomaʻamaʻa! | Windward Community College

Event calendar of free and affordable things to do

Listed below are all types of free and affordable things to do in the next 30 days across the Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina.

Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.

You might also like: Hawaiʻi on the Cheap – affordable living and things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com)