How Hawai'i Became the Most Literate Nation in the World \\ Language of a Nation Ep. 1

Summary

The script discusses the decline of the Hawaiian language and its historical significance. It highlights how language is a reflection of culture and identity, and how the Hawaiian Kingdom was once a literate and progressive nation with Hawaiian as its primary language. The script also touches on the role of missionaries in introducing literacy and the importance of language in diplomacy and national continuity. It emphasizes the need to reclaim and understand true history to preserve cultural heritage.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Language is a reflection of culture and identity, deeply intertwined with how people perceive the world and their place within it.
• 📚 The Hawaiian Kingdom had a rich history of literacy and education, with a focus on both native Hawaiian and foreign languages.
• 🗣️ The shift from Hawaiian to English was not forced but was a gradual societal change influenced by global interactions and the need for diplomacy.
• 🏛️ The Hawaiian Kingdom was a progressive and modern nation with a well-established legal and educational system.
• 📈 The literacy rate in Hawaii was remarkably high, surpassing that of the United States during the 19th century.
• 📰 Newspapers played a crucial role in disseminating information, fostering literacy, and providing a platform for public discourse in Hawaii.
• 🏫 Education was compulsory and valued by the Hawaiian society, with a strong emphasis on learning and intellectual growth.
• 🌱 The introduction of English in Hawaii was facilitated by missionaries and was seen as a tool for engagement with the world.
• 🏞️ The Hawaiian Kingdom's downfall and the subsequent shift in language use is deeply rooted in its political history and the loss of sovereignty.
• 🔍 Contemporary scholarship is uncovering and challenging historical narratives that have misrepresented the Hawaiian Kingdom's autonomy and legal systems.
• 🌟 The resilience and diplomacy of the Hawaiian people are evident in their efforts to maintain their culture and language amidst colonization and globalization.

Q & A

Why does the speaker suggest that language is more than just a means of communication?

Language is described as a 'code of thinking' and a 'framework' that shapes how we perceive the world. It's integral to cultural identity and can influence how people think and behave, which is why transforming language can affect societal transformation.

What is the role of language in shaping the identity of a nation according to the transcript?

Language is portrayed as a critical element of national identity. It's mentioned that without a country perspective, language is reduced to a native culture, which has been manipulated and decontextualized from its historical significance.

Why did the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom happen in 1893 according to the speaker?

The speaker implies that the overthrow was unnecessary if the narrative of continuous foreign control over the Hawaiian Kingdom was true. It suggests that the event was a result of false narratives and misunderstandings about the Kingdom's history and autonomy.

What is the significance of the research mentioned in the transcript regarding the Hawaiian Kingdom?

The research is uncovering historical inaccuracies and challenging the false narratives that have been accepted about the Hawaiian Kingdom. It aims to reframe the understanding of the Kingdom's history and its people's agency.

How did the introduction of the English language in Hawaii impact the native population, as described in the script?

The introduction of English was initially seen as a tool to engage with the world and become bilingual. It was embraced as a means to improve education and global citizenship, rather than as a replacement for the Hawaiian language.

What was the role of literacy in the Hawaiian Kingdom during the 19th century?

Literacy was highly valued and became a national project. It was seen as a means to improve wisdom and was mandated for children by law in 1846, leading to a high literacy rate that exceeded that of the U.S. at the time.

Why did the Hawaiian language decline in use, as suggested by the transcript?

The decline was more due to political history than organic social change. The shift from Hawaiian to English was a result of the political changes and the annexation of Hawaii by the United States, rather than a natural societal preference.

How did newspapers contribute to the literacy and worldview of the Hawaiian people during the Kingdom era?

Newspapers were a venue for expressing opinions, downloading information, and engaging with global events. They played a crucial role in promoting literacy and broadening the worldview of the Hawaiian population.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'the written archive of Hawaiian language is maybe the largest archive of religious writings in the world'?

The speaker highlights the extensive documentation of Hawaiian language in newspapers and other writings, which includes a vast collection of religious texts, suggesting the depth and richness of the language's literary heritage.

How did the use of language in governance reflect the multi-ethnic nature of the Hawaiian population?

The use of Hawaiian language in various branches of governance, including judiciary, legislative assembly, and executive branch, reflected the diverse population and the importance of the native language in maintaining cultural identity and unity.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Cultural and Linguistic Transformation in Hawaii

The paragraph discusses the complex reasons behind the decline of the Hawaiian language and the influence of external factors on the native population's identity and thinking. It highlights the importance of language as a reflection of a nation's history and culture, and how the Hawaiian Kingdom's history has been manipulated to erase its agency. The speaker emphasizes the need to uncover and understand the true history to reclaim cultural heritage. The paragraph also touches on the introduction of the English language to Hawaii by Captain Cook and how it became a tool for Hawaiians to engage with the world, rather than a replacement for their native language.

05:00

📚 The Rise of Literacy and Education in Hawaii

This paragraph outlines the historical push for literacy in Hawaii, starting with King Kamehameha III's announcement of a national literacy movement. It details how the Hawaiian population took pride in learning to read and write, making education a national project. The paragraph also explains the role of public and private schools in language education, with public schools not becoming English immersion schools but private ones doing so, established by chiefs and missionaries. The importance of the English language as a tool for diplomacy and global engagement is underscored, along with the high literacy rates in Hawaii compared to the U.S. at the time. The paragraph concludes with the significance of newspapers in fostering a broad worldview among Hawaiians and their role in preserving knowledge and cultural expressions.

10:01

🏛️ The Political and Social Shifts Impacting Hawaiian Language

The final paragraph delves into the political history of Hawaii and its impact on the Hawaiian language, suggesting that the shift from Hawaiian to English was more a result of political changes than organic societal evolution. It discusses how the judiciary, legislative assembly, and executive branch all conducted their affairs in Hawaiian, indicating a vibrant and progressive country. The paragraph also mentions the role of the Aboriginal population in building the current infrastructure and the importance of the Hawaiian language in diplomacy and survival strategies in a globalized world. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the wealth of Hawaiian language documents and newspapers that serve as a window into another world, providing insight into the identity and aspirations of the Hawaiian people.

Keywords

💡Language

Language in the script refers to the means of communication used by a particular country or community. The Hawaiian language is highlighted as the native tongue that was once prevalent in the Hawaiian Kingdom. The script discusses how language is not only a tool for communication but also a 'code of thinking' and a framework for understanding the world. The decline in the use of Hawaiian is tied to the broader historical and political changes that affected the Hawaiian people.

💡Indoctrination

Indoctrination in this context refers to the process of teaching a specific set of beliefs or ideas to a group of people in a systematic and often biased way. The script mentions how a new generation might be indoctrinated in a particular way that could potentially strip them of their cultural identity and heritage, as was the case with the Hawaiian Kingdom.

💡Hawaiian Kingdom

The Hawaiian Kingdom is the historical term used to describe the sovereign nation that existed before the overthrow in 1893. The script discusses the importance of understanding the true history of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which was once a vibrant and progressive country with its own laws and systems of governance, as opposed to the manipulated narratives that have been perpetuated.

💡False Narrative

A false narrative is a set of beliefs or explanations that are not based on fact or reality. The script criticizes the false narrative that has been constructed around the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom, suggesting that it has been manipulated to serve certain interests and to control the perception of Hawaiian history and culture.

💡Literacy

Literacy in the script refers to the ability to read and write, which was highly valued and promoted in the Hawaiian Kingdom. The script highlights how literacy was not just a skill but a national project, leading to a high literacy rate that surpassed that of the United States at the time.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity is the set of cultural references and experiences that shape a person's sense of self. The script discusses the erosion of the Hawaiian cultural identity due to the suppression of the Hawaiian language and the imposition of foreign values and systems.

💡De-Anglicization

De-Anglicization refers to the process of removing or reducing the influence of English on a culture or society. The script implies that the Hawaiian people have been de-Anglicized through the suppression of their language and culture, which has led to a loss of their cultural heritage.

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy in the script refers to the art and practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between nations. It is highlighted as a survival strategy for the Hawaiian Kingdom in the face of globalization and the need to engage with the world while preserving their sovereignty.

💡Overthrow

The overthrow refers to the event in 1893 when the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown. The script suggests that this event was part of a larger pattern of control and manipulation, and it questions the reasons behind it, given that the Hawaiian Kingdom had its own functioning systems of law and governance.

💡Bilingualism

Bilingualism is the ability to speak two languages. The script mentions that Hawaiians saw English as a tool to engage with the world and become bilingual, which was seen as an advantage rather than a threat to their native language or culture.

💡Globalization

Globalization in the script refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world's cultures and economies. It is presented as a challenge that the Hawaiian Kingdom had to navigate, requiring them to learn diplomacy and engage with other nations without losing their cultural identity.

Highlights

Language is a code of thinking and a framework for understanding the world.

Transforming the coding of how people think can influence their identity and citizenship.

Hawaiian Kingdom's history has been manipulated to appear as if it was always controlled by foreigners.

The overthrow in 1893 contradicts the narrative of continuous foreign control.

Ignorance is less dangerous than the false narrative of history that people believe they know.

Contemporary scholarship is uncovering the true history of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The Kingdom era's legal system preserved much of what is now considered lost.

The narrative that Hawaiians do not own their history or laws is false.

The United States aimed to make Hawaiians believe that their laws and international laws were not theirs.

Understanding true history is more important than just learning language or crafts.

English was introduced to Hawaii when Captain Cook arrived.

Hawaiians had an advanced agricultural system and were productive farmers.

The influx of people to Hawaii was due to Captain Cook mapping the Pacific.

Hawaiian was the national language, and the kingdom was unified by the time of the missionaries' arrival.

The missionaries' primary interest was in writing, which led to the creation of a Hawaiian spelling system.

Ka`ahumanu, a high chief, was one of the first to learn reading and writing in Hawaiian.

Kali Kali, when he became king, made literacy a national project.

In 1846, a law was passed making education compulsory for all children in Hawaii.

English was seen as a tool for Hawaiians to engage with the world and become bilingual.

Hawaiians had a broad worldview and were engaged with global affairs.

The literacy rate in Hawaii was over 90% by the 1850s, higher than in the U.S.

Newspapers became a venue for expressing opinions and downloading information.

Hawaiian language newspapers were a significant archive of religious writings.

The shift from Hawaiian to English was more due to political history than social organic change.

Hawaiians used diplomacy as a survival strategy in the 19th century.

Transcripts

why my people do not speak our language

today in the way that we should the

reasons are complex in compound language

really is the code of thinking it is

really the framework and how we see the

world and so if you can transform the

coding of how people think it's a lot

easier to transform them to becoming

so-called a great good American citizens

you could take that away from this new

generation when they become the adults

right they'll be indoctrinated in a

particular way we don't know what the

Hawaiian Kingdom was so today when we

speak about language it's void of a

country perspective it's rather spoken

to as if it's a native culture it's

spoken to as if only the natives have

that culture that's because we've been

dean Ashin alized and contemporary

scholarship has manipulated the history

of the Hawaiian Kingdom as if it was

always controlled by the Horner

it is so untrue and it's so easy to

deconstruct just with the historical

documents if they were in control during

that whole time why did they have to

overthrow themselves in 1893 it not

knowing is one thing but thinking you

know as they thought you do know that's

even worse that's the danger and that's

the power of that false narrative of

that story we've been fed of that story

we've bought into with research that is

being done now we are now uncovering

these issues that are undermining and

rebuking what we thought in the kingdom

era and that's we're starting to find

out that the kingdom arrow was agency we

give away so much that is ours

this is where all of these things were

preserved in law that's the magic right

there one of the biggest things we don't

realize this is our and the story we've

been fed is this is not yours

your history is not yours the

missionaries gave you law the

missionaries gave you private property

private properties not yours

laws not yours if I'm the United States

of America

I want you to believe in Kingdom law is

not yours and want you to believe that

international law is not yours

because then I never have to answer

those questions it's not just a matter

of learning some point words or doing

some Hawaiian arts and crafts it's

really about really understanding what

our true history is what is a true

history

[Music]

boy is history is pretty incredible

English language actually was introduced

to Hawaii when Captain Cook arrived

every single one of them to a tea talks

about how Hawaii is farmed beyond

anywhere in the Pacific you could not

grow anything more on this land

Hawaiians got this agriculture thing

down there loving their system of

irrigation land is as productive as can

be and then you start to see the influx

of people coming to Hawaii because of

what Captain Cook did which was map the

Pacific now ships could find Hawaii and

he became the crossroads of many ships

coming through and also many different

languages but the language here was

Hawaiian it was the native language

that's the national language by the time

those who follow cooked as there is

elapsed the kingdom is pretty well

unified Vancouver's hearing Lee

registers that two of the Chiefs and

Kamehameha skort won't leave this ship

they just keep hanging out by the guy

who's doing the ledgers they could see

that magic I mean it's a technology I

can write something down give it to you

you give it to him and he knows what I

want but there's nobody to teach it

until the missionaries come 18:20 he

lets them you know you can talk about

your religion but that's not their great

interest their great interest from the

time the missionaries landed was writing

and so on the other thing is points had

already been interacting with the

Western world for

years so in Kaahumanu you know meets up

with missionary she's having foreigners

in her life for most of her adult life

so they teach her reading and writing it

takes a year and a half for Hawaiian to

be knocked down to a spelling system

they finish it in January of 1822

I have letters from Kaahumanu and more

beautiful handwriting than you'll ever

do in June of 1822

the first letter that I have she's

writing to kabamaru who is the queen

that dies in London with Leo Leo a few

years later and she's saying I got your

letter but there's three of us I only

got one left

I want plenty left I want 800 letters

you choose you're with the long neck's

get some help on this she says we want

the teaching of literacy this will make

us wise I mean this is one of the

highest most powerful Chiefs in the

kingdom and just deciding we want this

and that motivation just moves right

from there straight forward Kali Kali

when he comes to the throne announces my

mobilization of literacy he doesn't just

say he's already literate so he's not

saying you know we must aspire he's

saying I want to share this everybody

takes pride in learning to read and

write it becomes a national project in

1846 there's a law that states that

children are mandated to go to school so

school is compulsory in Hawaii children

at that time are being educated in

Hawaii everybody who's in Hawaii whether

you're Hawaiian or not it's going to

employ in school but there was a great

interest in a lot of wines were learning

English English and other languages

actually have loins were fluent in

German were

Chinese because of the interaction of

the world and a lot of the high-level

positions in the government had to be

given to English speakers offensive

foreigners because the interaction was

so critical to national continuity

Hawaiians critique of how come so many

foreigners in the government and the

government wrote back the King wrote

back saying we have to have that

interface until we can improve the body

of folk that we can draw from we have to

use these people so there's a move

within the population to improve the

body you can draw from well the public

schools ended up not becoming English

immersion schools but private schools

became English immersion established by

the Chiefs Iolani st. Andrews Priory

when all created by the missionaries oh

come ms schools these were English

immersion schools it's not that they

were trying to weed out the native

language or ban the native language

that's organic societal shift lion is

still the language of the kingdom Queen

Emma when she starts in the first

Anglican school in Lahaina Maui she

insists this disappoint students learn

English nowadays sometimes we think of

those two languages as English as the

bad language in Hawaii is the good

language because English has supplanted

Hawaiians but in the 1860s and 70s and

so forth Hawaiians saw English as a tool

to engage the world with to be bilingual

no one thought Hawaiian was gonna

disappear learning English gave you that

much more of an education there's a

quest to become really citizens of the

globe of course that was the foundation

for the educational system that was

emerging at that time and also the body

of literature that began to be produced

at that point in time and of course this

is happening

you know the first printing press of

course up at Mahina Luna the new first

newspapers are founded in 1834 just for

the teachers college but the whole

nation wants so that kicks off the

newspapers become this venue

there are english-language newspapers

piss Chinese there's Portuguese language

newspapers Hawaii is a multi-racial

nation Hawaiian is the main language of

the nation throughout the 1840s you see

this sort of blue Hawaiian literacy

families and children they would circle

up around the table and read the

newspaper together we started like 1850

getting reports out for those who can't

read it right and where would you find

them everyone every peril farmer and

diplomat can read and write in at least

time a generation in you have almost a

universal literacy the literacy rate in

the u.s. at the time was about 73% in

Hawaii was well over 90% by the 1850s

and especially 1861 now newspapers

become a commercial endeavor and it's

wide open they rely on their readership

to fill them so it becomes a nexus for

everybody to express their opinion it

becomes the place to download

information and they weren't just

illiterate they were engaged people

wrote in and said I want to see this

done by the governor we reading about

what was happening all over the world

Cinderella and and all kinds of Western

that were translated in putting on new

speakers too so what it shows us is that

the worldview of people throughout the

Kingdom period was very broad there are

a hundred different newspapers sometimes

two three five at the same time some of

them only ran for six months one of them

ran for 70 years some of them more eight

pages most of the work for pages but the

size of the Wall Street Journal by 1860

there's been a number of plagues that

came through and they realized that the

knowledgeable people dying is like a

library burning down so in the

newspapers you get people writing in as

a those of you who are knowledgeable

write it down it'll be safe here so many

of the Molalla that we have today

I'm a k-12 Pio and Pelin Yaka they're

sort of published like how so proper

sort of feed you a piece every day where

you know you have to read the next one

in order to get the next piece and so on

and so forth the written archive of

Hawaiian language is maybe the largest

archive of religious writings in the

world

we found a chant composed by command man

in the first for the birth of his second

son how he killed me but nobody even

knew he had ever composed anything you

know we've been able to compile these

massive Monello by mining car ho mah

newspaper we have a hundred twenty-five

thousand patients of Hawaiian language

newspapers these sites these papers

comes out to about a million eight by

eleven size sheets of Hawaiians writing

about away it's the window into another

world

[Music]

we have tens of thousands of wine

language documents legal documents

letters letters from pastors to the King

letters from the Madonna to the king and

so forth we have a nation speaking about

who they are and in what they were and

we've never listened to them but it was

that Aboriginal population that built

the current infrastructure that we still

used today so that meant that the

judiciary spoke law and the bicameral

legislative assembly spoke oil the

executive branch spoke Hawaiian the

cabinet spoke oil the Department of

Education spoken the fire department

spoken the police department spoken

right so you had a somewhat modern

vibrant progressive country in which a

multi-ethnic national population was

speaking Hawaiian it's a very diverse

population

voyons make up the majority all the way

through about that hundred and twenty

year span we go from being one of the

most literate people on the face of this

earth to one of the most inveterate you

have a complete replacement you have a

complete flip from all Hawaiian to all

English by the time Hawaii becomes a

state zero Hawaiian language newspapers

aesthetical in science and that has to

do with the political history of Hawaii

more so than social organic change the

Hawaiian language record opens up that

story in a way that has not been

accessible for hundred years

the kind of diplomacy that you see

Hawaiians putting forth in the

nineteenth century are survival

strategies right no longer could we

reuse the spear to win wars right now we

realize that that in order to survive in

what's becoming a globalized world right

we're gonna need to learn how to be very

diplomatic but he holds weekly sedatives

King and all of his ruling team but

we're talking a year and he wants to

know how are all these other countries

running their show

[Music]