KEKAHA — A new recording and video studio, two years in the making, will be unveiled today at Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha. The studio blessing will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Kekaha, attended by students and faculty, state
KEKAHA — A new recording and video studio, two years in the making, will be unveiled today at Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha.
The studio blessing will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Kekaha, attended by students and faculty, state Sen. Gary Hooser, Board of Education member Maggie Cox and numerous partners and volunteers.
To Haunani Seward, the school’s director, the studio seemed the perfect way to capture and preserve Hawaiian language — specifically the Ni‘ihau dialect, using recordings and video technology.
Students in her school learn Hawaiian in the home as their first language. When they come to KKNOK, they exclusively learn the Ni‘ihau dialect until fourth grade, when English is introduced, a news release states. Ultimately, school graduates are fluent in both languages.
In addition, Seward and videographer Camera Paik spent over two years working on “The True Story of KalauiKoolau,” a film completed in 2006 and done entirely in the Hawaiian language, Ni‘ihau dialect, with English subtitles.
“We started years ago with an idea — the idea that this studio and the technology it offers can help us capture and preserve the Hawaiian language.” said Seward. “So much of our oral tradition in its many forms could be lost forever as time passes. Now with this studio operational, our first priority is to document and archive our language involving our students.”
Thanks to funding from Kamehameha Schools, private grants and donations, state and federal funds for equipment, 3R, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, students at KKNOK will have access to the 875-square-foot studio. The bulk of the construction grant for the studio came from Kamehameha Schools, but the studio design and engineering skills were contributed by Stephen Webber, a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
The video/television side of the studio was designed and built by school technologies director James Lucas. The studio is equipped with an 18-channel Pro Tools digital/audio workstation. The digital video workstation contains an 8-input live switch-to-tape capability in multiple formats that can be adapted to almost any user demand. The studio also contains an initial array of broadcast lighting. All this technology will enable the students and faculty to complete many Hawaiian language projects.
“This studio and all it represents will be important to preserving the living legacy we have on both Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i,” said Hooser. “Haunani, the students, and everyone contributing to this effort should feel very proud today.”
“We envision first to focus on Hawaiian language projects with which the students can be involved,” said Seward. “Then we could see drawing in students from other schools, the community at large, and even doing recording and videos with local musicians who might never have access to a comparable facility.”
Proceeds from the studio will be used to supplement the school’s budget. The school is developing guidelines for studio use and a general schedule for booking time.
“It would be shameful to let such a powerful room echo only sounds of emptiness,” said Seward. “Hopefully as soon as the word gets around about the studio, projects will come quickly.”
“In addition to the tools and technology, we felt it was important to reflect the mana of departed as well as present members of the Ni‘ihau community,” she said.
The wall coverings are reminiscent of makaloa mats, and the acoustic panels are covered using traditional makaloa designs. Bamboo flooring was also chosen because of its importance to Hawaiians. The inspiration was to bring the past, present and future of the Ni‘ihau culture into this room and to provide a venue for prolific Ni‘ihau composers and musicians to share their talents, the news release says.
One of the first uses of the studio will be through partnering with KKCR, Kaua‘i’s public radio station. KKNOK students, staff and volunteers will originate a mixed English and Hawaiian language broadcast from the school’s studio in Kekaha on Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m., beginning Dec. 14.
The program will follow a “radio magazine” style format and include a mix of talk, call-in, news and music programming.
“Veteran radio personality Brada Kelley Phillips will be the host for this show that will originate from the school,” said Jerry Brocklehurst, general manager for KKCR. “Since our transmitter works all over the island and also reaches Ni‘ihau, this is a perfect opportunity to reach out to more island listeners, especially Ni‘ihau and the Westside.”
Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha Learning Center is the only K-12 native language charter school in Hawai‘i, and part of its mission is to strengthen and perpetuate the Ni‘ihau dialect of the Hawaiian language. The school is located at 8135 Kekaha Road in Kekaha. For more information, call the school’s office at 337-0481.