The Hawaiian that we learn to speak and write is not the only way of communication native to the state - in 2013 it was officially announced that HSL (or Hawaiian Sign Language) is a newly discovered language that was developed specifically by the Hawaiian people before the missionaries arrived. It is archived in a letter from Hiram Bingham as early as 1821, who describes the signs a deaf man was demonstrating to him. HSL is influenced little by ASL, which was introduced and dominate during the 1940-1950s.
It was also revealed in 2013 that HSL is critically endangered, meaning it is very close to extinction, with little-to-no documentation to carry it on. Only around 30 (elderly) people are fluent.
Starting this October 22 (2022) will be a short online class (via Zoom) that will teach beginning HSL. For one hour every Saturday, through and until November 26, you will be able to learn this sign language from a woman native and fluent in HSL. You do not have to be deaf or hard of hearing - you don't even need to know ASL. After introductions on the first day, all mics are off, and it will be simple immersion. The class is $60 total ($10 for each week). Here is more info, and where to register:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiN4R7Jhpdq/
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There are surprisingly few videos and resources available demonstrating HSL. To aid in the effort of documentation and to spread interest in this endangered language, Hawaiian Goodness has created a YouTube playist compiling important videos related to HSL - presentations/information about its history, vocab from interviews, and other source material. Here is that playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPj7sobTcK3WVbNuz80cENEZs0qBMcFYO
Interviews of the deaf Hawaiian community fluent in HSL were conducted in order to record and compare vocab and language of these users. Unfortunately, the communicative medium was ASL, which we are not knowledgable in. If you know ASL and would like to volunteer to help us translate interviews so we can subtitle and upload them to the above playlist, please contact us (email: hawaiiangoodnessapau@gmail.com). We want to do everything we can to perpetuate Hawaiian Sign Language!
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More information:
University of Hawai'i (Manoa)'s introduction and statement about HSL, in 2013:
Presentation discussing history and future of HSL (long)
Paper written by researchers who conducted HSL interviews (and presented in the first referenced video); if you'd prefer to read rather than watch the above video: