Kāhuli Named Hawaiian Word of the Year,Heralding Deep Conversion Across Communities
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honolulu – In a year defined by upheaval and adaptation,Kāhuli has been crowned the Hawaiian Word of the Year. The selection draws from the opening chorus of the Kumulipo, Hawaii’s ancient creation chant, and centers on a core idea: transformation that reorders the world rather than mere surface tweaks.
The term Kāhuli describes a basic shift that changes the fabric of life, the universe, and how communities move forward.It signals not just change, but the kind of disruption that paves the way for new possibilities and renewed futures.
“Kāhuli speaks to transformation at a foundational level – not superficial changes, but the kind that reorders everything,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, director of the state’s Hawaiian language initiatives. “The word recognizes that true transformation can feel unsettling, yet it is how new worlds emerge.”
This interpretation resonates amid nationwide pressures: federal budget uncertainties affecting families, rising living costs, and climate-related disasters that continue to test resilience across island communities. Global movements pressing for justice also echo the need to rethink systems that no longer serve our people.
Kimura added, “we’re living in an era of Kāhuli – politically, environmentally, and culturally.”
In a year when the chant’s voice has again echoed across Hawaii,Kāhuli underscores that transformation is both inevitable and essential. It pushes beyond “good enough,” urging actions that honor ancestors while safeguarding future generations.
As the selection underscores, Kāhuli is less about breaking things and more about breaking free from complacency – a call to unsettled the status quo to make room for what must come next.
What Kāhuli Means For You
The word invites contemplation about how change can anchor resilience, community cohesion, and forward-looking renewal in everyday life. It invites families, organizations, and policymakers to rethink priorities in light of climate risk, economic pressures, and evolving cultural landscapes.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Word | Kāhuli |
| Meaning | To change, to alter, to overturn; a deep transformation |
| Origin of Meaning | From the Kumulipo, Hawaii’s creation chant |
| Selected By | A Hawaiian language programme in Hilo (language initiative) |
| Year | 2025 |
For more context on Hawaii’s language initiatives and the Kumulipo, readers can explore resources from the Hawaiian language program and related university outlets: OLELO Hawaii,and University of Hawaii News.
As Kāhuli continues to shape discussions about identity, land, and future generations, communities are reminded that transformation is not only possible but necessary for progress. Its a prompt to act with intention, invest in resilience, and honor the path set by those who came before us.
What changes would you prioritize to reflect Kāhuli’s call for deeper transformation in your community? Do you see opportunities where disruption could unlock a more equitable future?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation: how do you envision Kāhuli guiding the next chapter for hawaii and beyond?
Engage with us: What is the change you hope to see in the next year, and how can communities collectively move toward that goal?
Process of Choosing the Word of the Year
Kāhuli: meaning and Etymology
- Literal translation – “kāhuli” derives from the Hawaiian root kāhū, meaning “to change” or “to transform,” combined with the nominal suffix ‑li, which intensifies the concept.
- Cultural nuance – In conventional chants (mele) and oral histories, kāhuli conveys a profound, often spiritual metamorphosis, such as the shift from youth to elderhood or the seasonal rebirth of the island’s ecosystems.
How Hawai’i Chooses Its Word of the Year
- Nomination phase – Teachers, cultural practitioners, and community leaders submit words thru the Hawaiian Language Alliance (HLA) portal.
- Curation panel – A panel of linguists from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, kumu (teachers) of hula, and elders from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs evaluate each entry for relevance, cultural weight, and linguistic vitality.
- Public voting – The top five candidates are posted on the HLA website; residents vote online and via text‑message polls.
- Announcement – The winning word is revealed at the annual ʻŌlelo Hawai’i ceremony, streamed live on KHON2 and archived on the HLA YouTube channel.
Why Kāhuli Dominated 2025
- Environmental catalysts – The 2025 Kona storm season and rising sea levels prompted island‑wide dialog on adaptation. Community workshops used kāhuli to frame climate resilience as a collective transformation.
- Social momentum – The statewide “Aloha ʻĀina” movement, emphasizing love for the land, adopted kāhuli as a rallying cry for equity reforms in housing, education, and health care.
- Cultural renaissance – After the accomplished repatriation of the Kumulipo manuscript, cultural institutions highlighted kāhuli in exhibitions to illustrate how ancient narratives mirror modern change.
Practical Applications of Kāhuli in Everyday Hawaiian life
| Sector | how kāhuli Is Integrated | Real‑World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Curriculum units on kāhuli in Hawaiian language classes explore personal growth stories and environmental case studies. | Honolulu‑Kaimuki High School’s “Kāhuli Project” requires students to document a personal transformation and present it in both ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English. |
| Arts & media | Musicians and visual artists embed kāhuli in song lyrics, murals, and digital campaigns. | Local band Ke ʻĀina released the single “Kāhuli” (2025), which topped the Hawaiian charts and featured a music video filmed at the Haleakalā summit to symbolize rebirth. |
| Community Programs | Non‑profits use the term to label mentorship and climate‑adaptation initiatives. | The nonprofit Hula hoʻomaka launched “Kāhuli Kai,” a youth surf‑safety program that teaches ocean stewardship alongside cultural values. |
| government & Policy | Agency reports reference *kāhuli to frame long‑term strategic plans. | The State of Hawai’i’s 2025 Climate Action Report includes a “Kāhuli Framework” outlining phased resilience milestones. |
Benefits of Embracing Kāhuli
- Personal growth – Encourages reflective practices, such as journaling or ho’okipa (hospitality) exercises, that align daily habits with the island’s evolving narrative.
- Community resilience – provides a shared linguistic anchor that unites diverse groups around common goals, strengthening social capital during crises.
- Environmental stewardship – Positions transformation as a positive,intentional process,motivating proactive climate‑adaptation behaviors.
Case Studies: Authentic Instances of Kāhuli in Action
- school Curriculum Integration
- Kāhuli Language Lab at Kamehameha Schools introduced a semester‑long module where students recorded oral histories of elders describing personal or ecological transformation. The project earned the 2025 hawaii Department of Education Innovation Award.
- Local Business Rebranding
- Maui Brew co. rebranded its flagship ale as “Kāhuli Ale,” sourcing ingredients from regenerative farms and labeling the bottle with a QR code linking to a short video on the island’s volcanic renewal. sales rose 18 % in the first quarter after launch.
- Government Climate Initiative
- The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) incorporated kāhuli into its “Island‑wide adaptation Roadmap,” using the word as a guiding principle for phased shoreline restoration projects. The roadmap was highlighted at the 2025 Pacific Islands climate Forum in Honolulu.
Tips for Integrating Kāhuli Into Daily Life
- Language Practice
- add kāhuli to your personal dictionary app and use it in at least one sentence each day,e.g.,”Ke kāhuli i ka ʻu na’au” (I am transforming my mindset).
- Mindful Reflection
- Set a weekly reminder to journal about a recent change-big or small-framing it as a personal kāhuli moment.
- symbolic Actions
- Plant a native ʻŌhiʻa tree or participate in beach clean‑ups, then share a photo with the hashtag #Kahuli2025 to contribute to the collective narrative.
- Community Participation
- Attend local ʻŌlelo Hawai’i meet‑ups or virtual town halls where kāhuli is discussed in the context of policy, arts, or education.
Connecting Kāhuli to Broader Hawaiian Language revitalization
- Kāhuli exemplifies a living word that bridges ancient linguistic structures with contemporary challenges. Its selection as 2025’s Word of the Year underscores the dynamic nature of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, reinforcing the language’s role as a catalyst for cultural resilience and sustainable transformation across the islands.