February is ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Month

Celebrate and encourage the use of the Hawaiian language. Take a virtual class; start an ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi support group via Zoom; actively utilize apps to memorize vocabulary (Quizlet/Duolingo); study and sing your favorite mele regularly; learn the hula, or read Hawaiʻi stories to your children at night. Whatever it is, start or continue your Hawaiian language journey today. 

This beautiful moʻolelo sheds light on ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻiʻs past, present, and future:

Ola Ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi The Hawaiian Language Lives

ʻO ka ʻŌlelo ke Kaʻā o ka Mauli

Language is the fiber that binds us to our cultural identity.

FREE - RISE! Keiki Vibrancy Series

The first of this four-part series started last week, covering ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. We sang “Aloha Kakahiaka” and started with the Hawaiian alphabet (Pīapā) and the Hawaiian Value Kuleana (Responsibility). The homework assignment issued via Google Classroom included practicing nā mele (songs) and coloring the ALOHA color sheet. If you are interested in jumping in, we encourage all to register now.

The benefits of our keiki program are as follows:

• Introduce the community to what it means to be Hawaiian and to foster the spirit of ALOHA.
• Learn about Hawaiian culture in a fun and welcoming environment.
• Parents and caregivers learn new and helpful techniques to support keiki's learning journey and cultural connection.
• At the end of the 6-week course, we will share and celebrate each child's progress with family and friends at our virtual recital. What a great way to bring our community together to support keiki development!

Classes are held Online

Who: All Welcome (Focus Group: Ages 4-12)

What: FREE Virtual 6-Week Series

When: Sundays, 11AM - 11:30AM (EST)

Session 1: Jan. 24 thru Feb. 28 - ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian Language)

Session 2: Apr. 25 thru May 30 - Land (‘Āina)

Session 3: Jul. 25 thru Aug. 29 - Ocean (Moana)

Session 4: Oct. 17 thru Nov. 21 - Dance (Hula)

Attendance is FREE | Donations Are Always Welcome!

OPTIONAL: $50 Keiki Cultural Kit: Backpack, Rise! For Kids Shirt, Reflective Lanyard w/Name Badge, Flashcards, and Hawaiian Value Bands.

Register here.

E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Hawaiian cultural organization headquartered in Alexandria, VA. For questions, please call 703.853.9903 or email us at info@ealaehcc.org

Onolicious

Hawaiian-Style Beef Teriyaki

Hawaiian Beef Teriyaki is tender, juicy, and so ono (flavorful)! Thinly sliced beef drizzled with a simple homemade teriyaki sauce, this dish is a family favorite!

• Prep Time: 6 hours (or overnight marinading)
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total: 6 hours 20 minutes
• Serves: 4 

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy sauce
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 pound flank or skirt steak sliced very thin

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together, excluding beef. Set aside about ½ cup of the sauce, cover, and refrigerate.
2. Place beef in a Ziploc bag and pour the remaining marinade over it. Press out all the air, seal, and marinate for at least 6 hours (overnight works even better).
3. Over prepared grill on medium-high heat, grill steak a minute or two on each size until cooked to your desired doneness (with the steak being so thin, you don't have to grill it for too long).
4. Place beef in a large bowl, pour remaining sauce over the cooked beef and stir until well covered.

DID YOU KNOW ...

… Why Dr. Martin Luther King and many others wore lei in this photograph? Here’s a beautiful mo`olelo (story) about the March 7, 1965 Selma March.

Community Connections

Feb 7 (Sun): PAʻI Foundation is pleased to present an Intermediate Level hula class with Kuana Torres Kahele. Lokelau is the Hawaiian name of this leafy green blossom likened to a special someone in this rousing, fun mele. The version I chose is from Kawai Cockett and I think is the best one to perform. Registration is limited. Time is from 10AM-12PM HST (3PM-5PM EST). Cost: $40. Register here.

Feb 7 (Sun): PAʻI Foundation is pleased to present a Beginner Level hula class with Kuana Torres Kahele. This is a fun, upbeat class for brand new Hula beginners.  The two-hour course is typically split between Hula basics and review previous classes and a short Hula 'Auana lesson. Registration is limited. Time is from 1PM-3PM HST (6PM-8PM EST). Cost: $25. Register here.

Feb 13 (Sat): Join Get Me Growin' to learn how to make your very own flower crown in one of the traditional Hawaiian style of lei making called wili (pronounced vee-lee). The $49 registration fee will include all materials needed: assorted flowers, and greens will be prepped and ready to assemble your very own flower crown. Because every queen needs a crown on Valentine's Day! Time will be from 4PM-6PM. Located at Wyldflower Studio, Virgina Beach, VA. Register here.

Feb 14 (Sun): Kuana Torres Kahele is pleased to present an Carnation Lei Workshop. Learn the art of lei making as Kuana takes you step-by-step through a full, vibrant Carnation lei. Ingredients will make one full lei. Students with source their own materials and make lei live from home. Registration is limited. Time is from 10AM-12pm HST (3PM-5PM EST). Cost: $25. Register here.

Feb 19 (Fri): PAʻI Foundation is pleased to present a hula workshop with Robert Cazimero. Learn "Haole Hula" from Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero. Composed by R. Alex Anderson in 1928, "Haole Hula" makes you want to "dance and sing of the charms of Hawaiʻi." This mele portrays the many grandeurs of Hawaiʻi and takes us back to the Romantic Hawaiʻi we all know and love. Cost: $40. Register here.

Feb 26 (Fri): PAʻI Foundation is pleased to present a hula workshop with Robert Cazimero. Learn "Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai" from Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero. Written by nā Kumu Hula Lanakila Casupang and Keo Woolford for "The Haumāna" movie, "Aloha Aku, Aloha Mai" says, love is given, love is received, love indeed..." Cost: $40. Register here.

Feb 21 (Sun): Kuana Torres Kahele is pleased to present a Zoom Ukele Workshop. Intermediate Ukulele workshop—students should have a basic foundation for the ukulele. Open to anyone, all ages. Students are allowed to record the entire workshop through Zoom. We do not provide a video recording of this class. Registration is limited. This event begins at 11AM HST (4PM EST). Cost: $40. Register here.

Interested in sharing something in our Newsletter? How about a special event or announcement?

Please send an email to: Marilyn@ealaehcc.org