The effects of a Hawaiian language immersion program of student and family development

Abstract

The Hawaiian people are one of many indigenous communities who are struggling to save their native language from extinction. In the past few decades, the Hawaiian community has come together in an effort to revitalize the Hawaiian language through the creation of a Hawaiian language immersion program. This program is designed to ensure the survival of the native language and culture through the transmission of cultural knowledge to the younger generation of native Hawaiians. This study investigated how this culturally-based educational program influenced the students and families involved in the program. This case study examined the perspectives of students and families in the program using archival data collected in 1999- 2000. Interviews with 12 families from five of the schools were analyzed. Results suggested that this program increased students' sense of cultural pride and responsibility, strengthened social connections within the program and in the larger community. Participants also reported that the program influenced community perspectives about the program's goals and the Hawaiian language and culture revitalization efforts.