Hawaii is unique among the states for many reasons, one of them being that it has two official languages—English and Hawaiian. While the ancient Polynesian language is only used by an ever-shrinking minority, many Hawaiian words and phrases are commonplace, even for English-speaking residents.
As comedian/writer Dave Barry once joked, “The Hawaiian language is quite unusual because when the original Polynesians came in their canoes, most of their consonants were washed overboard in a storm, and they arrived here with almost nothing but vowels. All the streets have names like Kal’ia’iou’amaa’aaa’eiou, and many street signs spontaneously generate new syllables during the night.”
Hawaiian names are everywhere on the islands, and as a tourist, you may find yourself tongue-tied when trying to pronounce some of the city, street, and historic sight names. So before traveling to the islands, here are a few things to know about the Hawaiian language:
- The Hawaiian alphabet consists of just 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, and u) and 8 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w, and the glottal stop called ‘okina).
- All Hawaiian words end in a vowel; and consonants are always followed by a vowel.
- There are 14 commonly used vowel combinations, including “ai”, pronounced like the long “i” in hike; “ei” said as a long “a” as in name; “au” pronounced as “ow” like now; and “oi” spoken like the “oy” in toy.
- The ‘symbol in between words indicates a quick pause.
- A “w” is sometimes pronounced as a “v.”
- A symbol over a vowel indicates the need to elongate the sound.
- Mahalo: thank you
- Aloha: hello, welcome, a feeling of love, peace, contentment
- Aloha kakahiaka: good morning
- Aloha ‘auinalā: good afternoon
- Aloha ahiahi: good evening
- Aloha ‘oe: farewell
- Ohana: family, relatives
- Mauna: mountain
- Lei: flower garland
- Lu’au: celebratory feast
- ‘Ono: delicious
- Pali: cliff
- Kahuna: priest or skilled person/expert in their field
- Keiki: child; children
- Honu: turtle
- Heiau: ancient Hawaiian religious temple
- Hale: house, building
- Alanui: street
- Ahi: fire
- Kai: ocean water
- Lolo: crazy
- Lanai: porch/terrace
- Niu: coconut
- Pūpū: appetizer
- Tūtū: grandparent
- Mele Kalikimaka: Merry Christmas
- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a: reef triggerfish; the state fish of Hawaii
- Nene: state bird of Hawaii; endangered goose species