SCOTTISH SCHOLAR EXPLORES HAWAIIAN & GAELIC

We have an important Scottish visitor in Hawai‘i this fall. The Caledonian Society joins with other community members to welcome Arlene Holmes Henderson from Glasgow.  Arlene is the 2013-14 Fulbright Scottish Studies Scholar and is here conducting research supported by the US-UK Fulbright Commission.

Arlene is in Hawaii on behalf of the Scottish Government to research how the Hawaiian language is being

revitalized. She will take back her findings to assist in efforts to perpetuate and promote the Gaelic language in Scotland. She will make direct recommendations to the Government and others for the learning and teaching of Gaelic.   While in Hawaii Arlene has been giving presentations for colleagues and general audiences, who are fascinated to hear the parallels in how both Gaelic and Hawaiian were at one time banned and then re-recognized as official languages. Two such presentations are coming up: a public lecture and a special Society gathering.

"Heritage Language Education: What Can Scotland Learn from Hawaii?"

Wednesday, October 30, at 3:30 pm in Hamilton Library, Room 301.

Arlene will share her research with the local community at this public lecture and is eager to meet people

in Hawai’i who have Scottish ancestry. Admission is free.

Doors open at 3:15 pm.

The Caledonian Society has also added a special program to our fall calendar of

events:  "A Conversation with Arlene," on Friday, November 8, from 7:00 pm

to 9:00 pm in the Ocean Terrace Room, Hokua, 1288 Ala Moana Blvd.  This talk will reprise the UH

public lecture and offer informal time to talk.  Admission is free, but advance reservations are required

for the security desk. Please call Jeannie Ferrier at [not available] or e-mail jeferrier@msn.com for

reservations.  Parking is available in the Hokua public parking facility behind the building.

This is our members’ opportunity to meet this enthusiastic, well-informed, and friendly Scot and to find out how the Gaelic, the language used by many of our ancestors, is faring in contemporary Scotland.

Incidentally, the Society has granted Arlene a short-term honorary membership.