Saving Hawaiian

[i_am]

Hello, Hawaii!

I'm crazy about languages and I recently hit upon the idea to focus a little bit longer on Hawaiian language. I know that it's endangered of disappear and I'd like to save it! However first, I have to know somebody who knows that language. Hence there's my question: do you speak, or do you know anybody who speak Hawaiian?

I hope to find here someone who would like to save his/her language as well, I count on you!

Kuba, Poland.

[kaniamea]

Yes, Hawaiian is not spoken by all too many people these days. According to some estimates there are about 1,000 native Hawaiian speakers and around 8,000 people who can speak and understand the language fluently. I myself can only speak a few words and sentences. Here is some more info about the Hawaiian language:
https://www.to-hawaii.com/hawaiian-language.php
https://www.to-hawaii.com/hawaiian-dictionary.php

[i_am]

Thank you so much!

1 000 natives - this is really small number. I found the number of 2 000 on Google project http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/

Do you know any exisiting project that focus on saving Hawaiian language?

[kaniamea]

I don't know of any specific project. There are language immersion schools in Hawaii or one can take a Hawaiian language class or study it at the University of Hawaii (they even offer a Master's degree in Hawaiian). But other than that I'm not aware of any specific project.

[bchris964]

well, which language is mostly spoken in Hawaii? English? Is Hawaii only known by local people?Native language should be progressive in any country.

[kaniamea]

Yes, people mainly speak English in Hawaii. It's a U.S. state. Not many people know Hawaiian. Some Native Hawaiians can speak it and it's offered in some schools, so some kids learn it. Also, not just Hawaiians speak it. There are people who are interested in the language who also study it. That being said, English and Hawaiian are the official languages in Hawaii.