Weaving Connections Like Lei: A Hawaiian Language Month Rooted in ‘Launa’
Source: Hawaiian Airlines Amid the flurry of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month) celebrations, the Hawaiian Airlines Community and Cultural Relations Team remained focused on their guiding principle of “launa.” Meaning to socialize or connect, "launa" was their north star, anchoring this year’s celebration across both Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines. Throughout February, the team organized expert workshops, language lessons, and Team Kōkua volunteer activations that engaged guests, employees and the community with the language and in intimate learning experiences. "Meeting all these people through the Hawaiian language makes the language all that much more critical and shows the strength that education wields in bringing people together,” shared Manakō Tanaka, senior community and cultural relations manager at Hawaiian Airlines. Bringing ʻŌlelo [...]