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Kananinohea “Kanani” Mākaʻimoku is a graduate of the first class of Pūnana Leo language nest preschool and of the Hawaiian language immersion program, completing her K–12 education through Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu. She was educated primarily through Hawaiian across a preschool-to-doctorate pathway and is currently a doctoral candidate in Indigenous language and culture revitalization.
She brings over 25 years of experience in Hawaiian-medium education, beginning as an elementary teacher at Nāwahī and now serving as coordinator of the Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program and associate professor at Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
Grounded in the Hawaiian language revitalization movement, her work is also the language of her home and her family. She is committed to preparing the next generation of teachers and supporting the continued revitalization of Indigenous languages.
A language does not live simply because it is taught—it lives when the next generation chooses to speak it.
Drawing on lived experience from the Hawaiian language revitalization movement, this workshop invites participants to examine the gap between language learning and language use. Kanani will share how reflection, discussion, and an intergenerational framework can help identify the conditions that support—or hinder—active use and lead to ways to better support youth in using language beyond the classroom.
She will focus on strategies used for raising speakers who will carry the language forward and grow into leaders within their communities.
Helping families raise amazing children in our beautiful Secwepemc language and culture. Call today for a tour or to talk about what our program can offer you and your family.