Kamehameha students are encouraged to develop second language skills. Such skills permit direct access to a variety of cultures, prepare students for college, and can be helpful in a variety of work situations. Currently, about two-thirds of the four year colleges Kamehameha students attend have a foreign language entrance requirement of two or more years in the same language. Second language through post-secondary education careers.

The Grade 9-12 Program: Four years of French, Japanese, and Spanish and five years of Hawaiian are offered. Two years of the same language are required for graduation from Kamehameha. (Note: A fourth year in any language meets one of the grade 12 requirements for an honors diploma.)

The Summer Program: First year courses comparable to a full year in the grade 9-12 program are offered in Hawaiian, Japanese and Spanish.

Which Language?

To assist in deciding which language to study a brief description for each one follows:

French is one of the official languages of the United Nations and spoken by more than one million people, including our Canadian neighbors and our Tahitian cousins, and retains a vital role in communications. Our American cultural roots lie in Europe, making French an essential language when learning about our own history, religion, philosophy, art, and music. French language and culture are widely recognized as key contributors to fine arts, food, fashion and the "art of living." Today, opportunities to use French in the fields of trade and commerce, engineering, and science abound.

Hawaiian is the language of the land and embodies the culture, history, and environment of its people. It is indigenous to the islands and is spoken as a native language nowhere else. Hawaiian is presently enjoying a revival in the community ranging from preschool and elementary immersion programs to strong Hawaiian studies programs at UH Mänoa and Hilo. Hawaiian language students may enjoy the academic challenge of studying the language of their ancestors. Some also enroll in Hawaiian to strengthen their love and understanding of their heritage. At mainland colleges, where a second language is an entrance requirement, Hawaiian is generally accepted for admission. In Hawaiÿi, Hawaiian is used in several occupations, such as law, education and health.

Japanese is spoken by 120 million people as a first language and many others as a second language. Aside from English it is the language spoken by the greatest number of visitors to Hawaiÿi, and the increasing number of jobs which require proficiency in Japanese include those at banks, hotels, restaurants, car rental and travel agencies, and department stores. Japan continues to be a political, social and economic force in the world, and the chance of contact with Japanese speakers is increasing, especially for those living in Hawaiÿi.

Spanish is spoken in more than twenty countries on four continents. In the United States it is the fastest growing language with some twenty million speakers, a number surpassed only by Spain, Mexico, and Argentina. Spanish vocabulary has enriched English with a variety of words from patio to aficionado. Sports figures such as Alex Rodriguez and entertainers such as Enrique Iglesias and Christina Aguilera contribute greatly to our enjoyment. The Southwest retains architectural, artistic, linguistic, and other ethnic influences of its early Spanish heritage. Job seekers may be competing with Spanish speakers for the same positions in medicine, law, or engineering.