ʻO Wai ʻOe?

“No Hilo, Hawaiʻi, Waiheʻe, Maui a me Kaimukī, Oʻahu koʻu mau kūpuna. Eia nō wau ʻo Leimaile Barrett, he kupa no Kīpapa i ke ahupuaʻa ʻo Waipiʻo a he lālā nō wau o ka ʻōlelo makuahine o kēia ʻāina ʻo Hawaiʻi.”

Leimaile Barrett is a lifelong student and speaker of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. She was raised with a deep appreciation for her language and culture through Hawaiian immersion education. From a young age, Leimaile craved stories and resources that reflected her world—books, cartoons, movies, and coloring books where the Hawaiian language and worldview were centered, not sidelined. This longing didn’t fade with time; instead, it became a driving force in her life.

Today, Leimaile channels that vision into creative projects that uplift and expand the presence of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in everyday life. Her work—especially through keiki-centered materials like coloring books—is a heartfelt contribution to the lāhui. By creating what she once wished she had, she helps ensure that the next generation grows up with resources that honor who they are.

Through her passion and dedication, Leimaile continues to build a world where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi lives vibrantly in homes, schools, and imaginations across ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina and the world.