Hawaiian Language

The Hawaiian alphabet has only twelve characters including five vowels (A, E, I, O, U) and eight consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and the glutaral stop, called an okina and depicted as a backward apostrophe). The okina is considered a consonant because its inclusion or exclusion can change the meaning of a word (e.g. kai = sea and kaʻi = to lead).

Hawaiian vowels are pronounced differently than they are pronounced in the English language.

A is pronounced “ah”

E is pronounced “eh”

I is pronounced “ee”

O is pronounced “oh”

U is pronounced “oo”

Traditionally, the W in the Hawaiian language sounds like the letter “V” in the English language. This explains why you often here locals pronouns "Hawaii" as “hah-vy-ee” instead of “hah-wy-ee.”

When consonants are paired with vowels, they join the vowel sound. For example, the letter “H” paired with the vowels would sound like this:

Ha would sound like “Hah”

He would sound like “Heh”

Hi would sound like “Hee”

Ho would sound like “Hoh”

Hu would sound like “Hoo”

There are also several pronunciation rules to keep in mind.

The ʻokina indicates a break in the sound when speaking a word. When pronouncing a word with an ʻokina, the symbol indicates a slight pause. (e.g. the word “lanai” without the ʻokina is pronounced “lah-nigh” and means balcony. The word “lanaʻi” is pronounced “lah-nah-ee.” Lanaʻi is one of the Hawaiian islands.)

The Hawaiian language also includes a grammatical mark called a kahakō. The kahakō is a symbol that looks like a line (-) and appears over vowels only. The kahakō indicates a long vowel - the speakers should drag the vowel out a bit longer than normal. The difference is subtle and can be difficult to get the hang of. Although it's not considered a letter, the absence or presence of a kahakō can also change the meaning of a word.

There are four basic rules in the Hawaiian language:

All words end in a vowel.

Every consonant is followed by at least one vowel.

Every syllable ends in a vowel.

Two consonants never appear next to each other.

Aloha (pronounced "a-lo-ha") Hello or Goodbye; but always representing the sentiment of the Aloha Spirit! Aloha means kindness, love and affection.

Howzit? (pronounced "howz-it") Howzit is a Hawaiian slang term for how are you?

E Como Mai (pronounced "eh koh-moh my-ee") Welcome or come on in; often used to invite people into a business or home.

A hui hou (pronounced "ah-hoo-wee-ho-oo-uu") Until we meet again.

Mahalo (pronounced "mah-hah-loh") Thank you.

Mahalo Nui (pronounced "mah-hah-loh noo-ee") Thank you very much.

Mahalo Nui Loa (pronounced "mah-hah-loh noo-ee-loh-wah") Thank you so very much (for when you really appreciate something).

’A’ ole palikir (pronounced "ah-oh-leh pee-lee-kee-yah") You’re welcome / No problem

Holoholo (hoe-loe hoe-loe) To go for a walk, ride or sail. To go and roam about or cruise.

Shaka (pronounced "shah-ha") The very popular hand gesture of extended thumb and pinkie with folded fingers in between. The gesture symbolizes the Aloha Spirit or the feeling of friendship, understanding, or solidarity.

Haole (pronounced "ha-o-le") A person who is not a native Hawaiian (especially a white person). Use of the term frequently, though not always, can be intended as derogatory. The meaning of this term, like many others, depends on how it is used, not how it is said.

Kama’aina (pronounced "kama-eye-nah") Child of the land. This term can be used to describe a local Hawaiian resident regardless of ethnicity or racial background.

Kanaka (pronounced "ka nah ka") A person of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

Kane (pronounced "kāh-neh") Man/Boy or Male

Keiki (Pronounced "KEH-IY-Kiy") Child or Children

Wahine (pronounced "waa-hee·nee") Woman/Girl or Female

Amakua (pronounced "ama-koo-ah") In Hawaiian mythology, a personal or family god that originated as a deified ancestor, and which takes on physical forms such as spirit vehicles. An 'aumakua may manifest as a shark, owl, bird, octopus, or inanimate objects such as plants or rocks.

Ohana (pronounced "oh-HAH-nuh") Family (in an extended sense of the term, including blood-related or family of an adoptive nature). Family is very important in Hawaiian culture. "Ohana" emphasizes that families are bound together. People who grow up together or people who work closely together and have a mutual respect for one another may refer to each other as part of their family or their Ohana.

Pono (pronounced "po-no") Doing What is Right. In Hawaiian, if you are living pono, you are living a good, balanced life and you are generally hopeful and optimistic.

’Aina (pronounced “eye-nah”) The land or, literally, that which feeds us. Hawaiians live very close to the land and believe you should treat the ‘aina with dignity and respect because it sustains them.

Honu (pronounced "hoe-new") Green sea turtle. To locals, the Honu symbolizes wisdom and good luck. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is the only indigenous reptile in Hawaii. For Hawaiians, the Honu is a form of a guardian spirit, or amakua.

Heiau (pronounced “hey-ow”) A shrine or place of worship; a sacred place. Historical heiaus can be found all over the Hawaiian islands. If you come across a heiau in your wanderings, please assume it is kapu and do not enter.

Kapu (pronounced "kaa-poo") Forbidden. Ancient Hawaii operated under a kapu system which was a universal code of law.

Mauka (pronounced "mah-oo-kuh") The mountain. Often used in providing direction. e.g. Go towards the mauka.

Makai (pronounced "ma-ka-i") The ocean. Often used in providing direction. e.g. Go towards the makai.

Pāhoehoe (pronounced "PAH-ho-eh-ho-eh") Lava

Haupia (pronounced "how-pe-ah") Coconut pudding

Kalua Pig Pork cooked in an underground oven, called an imu.

Laulau (pronounced "law-louw") Meat wrapped in luau (taro) leaves and steamed, traditionally prepared in an imu.

Malasada (pronounced "ma·luh·saa·duh") A malasada is a Portuguese donut and likely the best donut you'll ever eat.

Poi (pronounced "po-yee") A traditional Hawaiian food prepared from the cooked corms of taro mashed with water to the consistency of a paste or thick liquid and often allowed to ferment.

Poke (pronounced "poh-keh") By itself, the word means “chunk” or “slice”. Poke bowls are composed of raw seafood, generally tuna, that’s cut into small chunks and marinated. The base of the bowl consists of white rice or cabbage topped with raw fish, green onions, spices and maybe a few other items. It’s generally a simple dish with few ingredients.

Pupu (pronounced "poo-poo") You will read this term on many of the restaurant menu’s you see in Hawaii, it means appetizer. A plate of appetizers is called a Pupu platter.

Waina (pronounced "wy-nah") Wine

Broke Da Mouth If you eat something really good, you can say that it was so good it “Broke da mouth”.

Grindz (pronounced "grinds") Food. If your food is really good, you would say it’s ‘Ono grindz.

Kanak Attack (pronounced "ku-nack-uh-tack") When you are very sleepy and tired after eating a huge amount of food.

‘Ono (pronounced "oh-no") Delicious. ‘Ono describes food as delicious. If you’re having a great dinner, you might say… “Man, this is ‘ono.”

Pau Hana (pronounced "pow-hana") The time after work considered a time for relaxation, informal socializing with friends and Ohana (family), and enjoyment. It is often used to denote the concept of Happy Hour, often called Pau Hana specials.