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Larry Kimura facts for kids

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Larry Lindsey Kimura (born June 29, 1946) is a Hawaiian linguist. A linguist is someone who studies languages. He is a professor of the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. He teaches at the Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, College of Hawaiian Language.

Larry Kimura's Early Life

Larry was born in Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii, in the United States. His father, Hisao Kimura, came from Hiroshima, Japan. His mother, Elizabeth Lindsey, was Hawaiian. She grew up in a family that mostly spoke Hawaiian.

Kimura has worked hard to bring the Hawaiian language back. It was once very important but became almost lost. He helped start a group called ʻAha Pūnana Leo. This group works to teach and save the Hawaiian language.

Naming Objects in Space

Astronomers often ask Larry Kimura for his help. They want to create Hawaiian names for important objects found in space. These objects are often discovered or seen using telescopes in Hawaii.

Naming the First Interstellar Visitor

Larry Kimura was part of the team that named ʻOumuamua. This was the first object from another star system ever seen in our solar system. He worked with his niece, Ka'iu Kimura, to choose this special name.

Naming a Black Hole: Pōwehi

In April 2019, astronomers found a huge black hole. It is called M87* and is in the galaxy Messier 87. Scientists like Doug Simons asked Larry Kimura to give it a Hawaiian name. They wanted to honor the fact that the telescope used to see it is on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Kimura chose the name "Pōwehi". This name comes from Hawaiian words. Pō means 'darkness' or 'night'. Wehi means 'darkness' or 'adornment'. Together, Pōwehi suggests "the adorned fathomless dark creation." It can also mean "embellished dark source of unending creation." This name is found in an old Hawaiian creation chant called the Kumulipo.

The governor of Hawaii declared April 10, 2019, to be "Pōwehi Day." However, the name Pōwehi has not been officially accepted by the IAU (International Astronomical Union). This is because the IAU does not have a way to accept names for galaxies or black holes.

More to Explore

External Links

  • ʻŌiwi TV
  • ʻAha Pūnana Leo: Language Nest
  • Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  • Native Hawaiian Education Act
  • NSF
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