I am writing to address a matter of deep concern that arose during the City Council meeting on December 11, 2024 wherein Ms. Kai Lorinc made disparaging comments that constituted nothing less than an assault on ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. She doubled down on her misguided comment in an interview on Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN) on Dec. 12.

We must acknowledge and address such incidents, as they undermine the significant strides we have made in preserving and revitalizing our native language and its official status since 1978. 

This harmful incident urged me to circle back to our lawmakers and community advocates about the trailblazing efforts of Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kapolei. I am grateful for their leadership and support in the 2024 legislative session and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them this legislative season and our ʻEwa Moku community as we strive to enhance and expand educational resources for our keiki and ʻōpio to establish a K-12 kula kaiapuni in Kapolei over the next four years. 

As you may know, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Kapolei opened its doors in SY 23-24 and currently has grades 7 and 8. We will have our first high school class in school year 2025-26.  

Ewa Moku EAducation is the vision of our collective movement. Based on the foundational ʻike (knowledge) of EA, defined as sovereignty, rule, and independence, ʻEwa Moku EAducation is a place-based educational system rooted in Hawaiian language, moʻolelo (stories), and cultural practices specific to the ʻEwa Moku. EAducation is ʻāina (land, natural resources) as kumu (teacher), textbook, and classroom. 

As mentioned earlier, the long-term vision for EAducation and Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kapolei, is to become a K-12 school—the first of its kind in the ʻEwa Moku. The ʻEwa district of Oʻahu is experiencing significant growth, yet it lacks a permanent Hawaiian language immersion K-12 school to serve its expanding population. This initiative will serve the ʻEwa and neighboring moku of Waiʻanae and Waialua, providing our keiki with an invaluable opportunity to learn and thrive in an environment that honors and integrates our native language and their ʻāina hānau (birthplace). 

Your continued advocacy and support are vital as we work together to ensure that future generations are equipped with their understanding of their kuleana to ensure the well-being of our people through the perpetuation of our language. 

We humbly ask for your assistance as we make this vision a reality.  Please see ʻEwa Moku EAducation Report for more information on our vision and strategies for Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kapolei. 

Mahalo nui loa for your attention to this important matter and for your unwavering dedication to perpetuating the ʻŌlelo ʻŌiwi, the indigenous language of Hawaiʻi.

By signing this petition, you are supporting the establishment of a K-12 self-contained Kula Kaiapuni in the ‘Ewa Moku (land district).

E ola mau ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi a mau a mau! 

Me ke aloha,

Andrea Dias-Machado, Pelekikena (President) 

Hui Mākua ʻo Kapolei