February 24, 2021
February is known as the month of love, aside from Valentine’s Day this month honors the beauty of the Hawaiian language and Black history.
Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month) was designated in the month of February in 2012 under an amendment to the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §8-24. This act was created to help raise awareness and appreciation of the importance of the Hawaiian language and the contribution it continues to make in creating a culturally diverse community. Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” Thus, it is all of our kuleana (responsibility) to take pride in the space we occupy through learning and normalizing ʻōlelo in our everyday lives. So, let’s learn a few of Family Promise’s core values in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
Hoʻokipa - (Hospitality) as a leader in homeless services we treat all people with respect and are mindful of our cultural and ethnic differences.
Pilina - (Collaboration) our agency consistently works closely with multiple partner agencies, volunteers, congregations, and others who help families achieve independence by cultivating meaningful relationships.
Aloha Ke Kahi I Ke Kahi - (Love One Another) this ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) aligns with our core value of anti-racism. We are committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. We work to continuously increase awareness of racial injustice and are dedicated to the fight against racism.