Researchers at the University of 51²è¹Ý at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s are advancing efforts to enrich ʻōlelo 51²è¹Ý (Hawaiian language) with new eldercare terms, blending cultural heritage with modern healthcare concepts to ensure the language¡¯s relevance for future generations.
Related 51²è¹Ý News story: Free Hawaiian language resources help enhance responsible k¨±puna care
Their work was recently highlighted in an article published in , authored by PhD student Kepoʻo Keliʻipaʻakaua, program coordinator Shelley Muneoka, and principal investigator Kathryn Braun with the Thompson school¡¯s . Assisted by Kumu Kapili Lyon at the , the initiative aims to preserve and strengthen Native Hawaiian perspectives on aging while ensuring accessibility for future generations.
“From our work so far, we have gained a lot of insights and learned a lot of terms and concepts that are perhaps new to us today, but were commonly understood in the past,” said Keliʻipaʻakaua. “Most importantly, we see how much more remains to be learned.”
Building on decades of efforts to revive ʻōlelo 51²è¹Ý, H¨¡ K¨±puna spearheaded three major language projects:
- Glossary featuring 231 Hawaiian terms related to elderhood
- Collection of 109 Hawaiian proverbs and sayings about aging
- Hawaiian-language translation of the children¡¯s book on dementia, P¨mai and Her Papa
New words for modern medical concepts
Since ʻōlelo 51²è¹Ý historically lacked specific terms for modern medical concepts such as “Alzheimer¡¯s disease” and “geriatrician,” the research team developed new words through recommended linguistic processes. These processes include combining existing Hawaiian words or adapting words from non-Polynesian languages to Hawaiian spelling.
Some of the new eldercare-related terms include:
- Alzheimer¡¯s Disease: Maʻi ʻAlekahaima
- Dementia: Kemenekia
- Geriatrician: Kauka Kilo Mākule
- Neurologist: Kauka Kilo Lolo
- Health Plan: Palapala Hoʻolālā Ola Pono
Expanding ʻōlelo 51²è¹Ý in public health and eldercare strengthens cultural ties to aging while preserving Hawaiian values and traditions. By creating terms that align with the Hawaiian language and worldview, researchers make eldercare discussions more accessible in ʻōlelo 51²è¹Ý.
“We are humbled to contribute to understanding elders through the wisdom of our ancestors,” said Keliʻipaʻakaua.“Through this initiative, ʻōlelo 51²è¹Ý continues to evolve, honoring the past while adapting to the needs of the present and future.”
The glossary, proverb collection and translated book are accessible through .