Remember that Hawaiian is an official language in Hawaii (schools, college)

[KauaiHiker]

Cool article about kids being able to take standardized tests in their "native" language:

Immersion students to be able to take tests in Hawaiian - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

[hawaiian by heart]

Originally Posted by KauaiHiker

Cool article about kids being able to take standardized tests in their "native" language:

Immersion students to be able to take tests in Hawaiian - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

I think its great and about time. It isn't unamerican to respect others cultures and let them flurish. We are not suppose to be the borg.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZEJ4OJTgg8

[Mikala43]

Yeah, it was such a cost effective measure for the state to require all paperwork be available in 15 languages AND have interpreters for all those languages too. Like that was feasible.

I love that they are perpetuating that Hawaiian culture, but some things go too far. You are not helping the population by not encouraging them to learn English. There's a reason why our government is the largest employer in the state.

[Jungjohann]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

learn English. There's a reason why are government is the largest employer in the state.

And the winner is

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

And the winner is

Our. /lol

I need to proof my posts....

[barkomatic]

Originally Posted by Mikala43

Yeah, it was such a cost effective measure for the state to require all paperwork be available in 15 languages AND have interpreters for all those languages too. Like that was feasible.

I love that they are perpetuating that Hawaiian culture, but some things go too far. You are not helping the population by not encouraging them to learn English. There's a reason why our government is the largest employer in the state.

Assessing their skills using a test in their language doesn't mean that they aren't encouraged to learn English. What gave you that idea?

There's no need to offer the test in 15 languages unless there are very significant populations of people who speak them.

[KauaiHiker]

I love..., but...
I'm sorry, but...

Such veiled imperialism, I knew some would come out of the woodwork on this topic, that's why I posted it. Tell us, oh great Mikala, how you would help the besotted population of these savage islands.

Thanks to barkomatic to pointing out that learning a language different from English does not mean not learning English as well. Just imagine the quality of an education that helps you master all subjects in two languages. I've known many bilinguals and they often seem way ahead in school and in life.

I will also point out that education and language has absolutely nothing to do with the size of the the state's payroll. That's a separate organizational, political, social, and cultural issue, one I might add that seems to be chosen freely by local voters. Unless by "our government" you meant the US military in Hawaii, which wasn't chosen so freely.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by KauaiHiker

I love..., but...
I'm sorry, but...

Such veiled imperialism, I knew some would come out of the woodwork on this topic, that's why I posted it. Tell us, oh great Mikala, how you would help the besotted population of these savage islands.

I'll take a guess at what she meant.

These kids are English speakers who simply took Hawaiian intense language classes much like Spanish immersion classes on the mainland. I beleive more her point is it doesn't make much sense from an administrative perspective to do standardized tests in Hawaiian and on the surface seems a bit gimmicky.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by KauaiHiker

I love..., but...
I'm sorry, but...

Such veiled imperialism, I knew some would come out of the woodwork on this topic, that's why I posted it. Tell us, oh great Mikala, how you would help the besotted population of these savage islands.

Thanks to barkomatic to pointing out that learning a language different from English does not mean not learning English as well. Just imagine the quality of an education that helps you master all subjects in two languages. I've known many bilinguals and they often seem way ahead in school and in life.

I will also point out that education and language has absolutely nothing to do with the size of the the state's payroll. That's a separate organizational, political, social, and cultural issue, one I might add that seems to be chosen freely by local voters. Unless by "our government" you meant the US military in Hawaii, which wasn't chosen so freely.

I have no problem with the Hawaiian immersion programs, I have about 10 nieces and nephews that went to schools like that, and are now in college. They speak Hawaiian and proper English.

My comment was to "letting all cultures flourish" and and it made me think of the state when it required everything to be written in different languages. I'm sorry, I would rather see that money sent to English education centers, it would be of better use of the money and help the ESL population more. They should be assimilating OUR culture and the same time we are assimilating theirs. Before you go on another rant, I love experiencing all the cultures both here and abroad.

I can see how my post confused you as my comment was actually off topic, but a pet peeve of mine.

Mod cut: off topic / political

Sorry you didn't get your veiled imperialism, it was decent rant but not on target.

[hawaiian by heart]

What I find is interesting is despite personal opinions on values of what is a worthy government expense. I find it interesting that a society that claims to respect diversity that we would even be haveing to discuss offering tests in one of our official languages. We as a society don't seem to have a problem with wasteing tax or government monies on developers or investers to make fortunes. But that's a value issue.

As for the comments on radical leanings I'm reminded that one man's patriot is another mans radical or terrorist. This is not a sovierty issue but just a common respect for diversity issue. Let us remind each other that we are at this spot today with Olelo Hawaiian language because our ancestors didn't believe in diversity.

Mod cut: political