Olelo Hawaii on a Budget

Aloha mai kakou,

This week a new student emailed me and was excited to start my beginner course, Mahele 1: Foundational Hawaiian. Here is what he said:

"I'm a teacher myself and have to say your online learning setup is great. I've tried to learn before but the courses were not set up well, and Duolingo was not good at all. I'm the first generation born and raised in California and with my grandparents and mom having passed on I'm having to rely on the lessons they passed to me, so the culture is what I need to keep connected to. My teaching focus is cross cultural psychology and I believe many of our problems stem from loss of cultural connection. You are doing important work helping people connect on a deeper level!"

As I read that I thought, this is exactly why I created my online courses!

Years ago I decided to look into taking a papa olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language class) at the University of Hawaii. When it came time to enroll I got a look at the price and, well, let's just say I needed some extra money before I could sign up. Here is what a single beginner level class will cost you:

Residents — $1,862
Non-residents — $5,608

You might be thinking, that is not too bad. But that is for just one class.

One class is nowhere near enough to get you conversational. A typical college student aiming for conversational Hawaiian will need to take Hawaiian 101, 102, 201, and 202 at minimum. In my experience, most students are still not conversational after those four classes, which means adding 301 and 302, and potentially 401 and 402. Here is what just Hawaiian 101 through 201 will run you:

Residents — $7,472
Non-residents — $22,432

If you can afford that, go for it.

Here is something else to consider. Most of these classes run between 8am and 5pm Hawaii Standard Time. If you are a working adult or caring for kids or family, your schedule most likely will not support that kind of commitment no matter how much you want to learn.

And even if money and schedule are not issues for you, consider this. When I was attending Windward Community College and UH Manoa, there was only one full-time teacher who was a native speaker. That means the majority of your learning would be with 2nd language speakers, most of whom have had very little engagement with native speakers themselves. The professors with the most experience in that regard are approaching retirement, and when they go, that experience goes with them.

For most people, money and schedule are the two biggest hurdles before they can even begin learning Hawaiian. That is exactly why I created my courses and Ka Punana (my monthly subscription). You get a textbook PDF, videos, slideshows, and quizzes you can study around your own schedule.

Here is a breakdown of what I offer:

Mahele 1: Foundational Hawaiian — $295 one time, access forever. A 4 month payment option is also available at $75 per month.

Ka Punana — Monthly subscription with weekly lessons, phrases, audio recordings, and a monthly PDF.

Online Tutoring — One on one sessions for students who have reached a semi-conversational level. Email me directly for availability as I only take on a limited number of students at a time.

If you have questions about any of these options, send me an email. And if you know a family member or friend who might benefit, pass this along or put them in touch with me.

Ke aloha nui,
Maluhia