Political Quotes

“I rise this morning to honor Mahina `Olelo Hawaii, or Hawaiian Language Month. Colleagues, I have the wonderful privilege of being native Hawaiian. My culture has served as a guiding light throughout my entire life, a light that has survived because of the many kupuna, our elders, who protected this light and who protected our Native indigenous language. For Native Hawaiians and so many other indigenous peoples, our language is essential for our people to live and thrive. In fact, we have an `Olelo No'eau, a proverb, that says: ``I ka `olelo no ke ola; I ka `olelo no ka make.'' ``In the language rests life; in the language rests death.'' Established in 1840, Hawaii's public education system is the oldest west of the Mississippi. In fact, in the 19th century, Hawaii was one of the most literate nations in the world, with over 90 percent of the population able to read and write. January 17, 1893, is a date that is etched in the consciousness of almost every Hawaiian, the day the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown. At the time of the overthrow, our language was used in all sectors of society by all of the kingdom's citizens, from our homes and schools to businesses and government, and even the halls of justice. In 1896, just 3 years after the overthrow, a law was enacted that stated: ``The English language shall be the medium and basis of instruction in all public and private schools.'' That one sentence dealt a smothering blow to our language.…”