Dr. Keao NeSmith is a teacher of Hawaiian language at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (hpa.edu), as well as an independent researcher, translator, and consultant to many businesses and projects across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
He has a PhD in Applied Linguistics, with a focus in language teaching theory and practice, and has written papers and presented at several conferences around the world on topics related to language revitalization and maintenance, particularly related to the Hawaiian language context.
He has translated a number of mainstream titles in pop culture into Hawaiian including The Hobbit, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Little Prince, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
A native of Kaua‘i, NeSmith has been engaged in research on and maintenance of several centuries-old cultural sites on his home island working with dedicated individuals and groups in joint efforts to educate Kaua‘i’s people of their native heritage.