There are an estimated 7,000 distinct languages in the world—but researchers say nearly half are in danger of extinction, and on average, one language dies about every two weeks. This is what almost happened two generations ago with the Hawaiian language.

This week on Latino USA, the story of how one man started a movement to preserve the Hawaiian language—without being a native Hawaiian speaker, himself.

This story comes to us from our friends at NPR’s Code Switch. Check out their original story titled “E Ola Ka ‘Olelo Hawai’i.”

Featured image by Shereen Marisol Meraji.