The Language of Hawai'i
The Hawaiian Language is spoken as everyday language on the privately owned island of Ni'ihau, but you will find it spoken and sung at some of the churches on Maui.  It is a beautiful melodic language and you can sing along pretty well if you remember a few rules of thumb on pronunciation.
There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet, including 5 vowels - a, e, i, o and u, the 7 consonants are h, k, l, m, n, p, and w (which is pronounced as a v if it comes after e or i in the middle of a word.
For some of the more common words check the list below.
If you want to learn more there are books available at most bookstores on all the islands.

 

Hawaiian Islands Map

 

Vowels are pronounced as:
A - Ah as in above
E - as in say if stressed, as in dent if not stressed
I - as in bee
O - as in nose
U - as in stew

Some words you can practice before you go:
Aloha - (as-LOW-ha) hello, goodbye, or just the feeling of affection, kindness or the spirit of love
Hale - (hah-leh) house or building
Hana - (ha-nah) work
Hana hou - (ha-nah-HO) to do again
Haole - (how-leh) originally meant foreigner, now means Causasian or "white"
Hula - (hoo-lah) story-telling dance of Hawai'I
Imu - (ee-moo) underground oven used at most lu'uas
Kahuna - (kah-HOO-na) priest or minister, someone who is an expert in a profession
Kai - (kigh) the sea
Kalua - (KAH-loo-ah) cooking food underground, something else to see at a lu'au
Kapu - (kah-poo) keep out, forbidden, taboo
Keiki - (kay-key) child or children
Kona - (koh-NAH) wind blowing from the south, southwest or the leeward side of the island
Lanai - (lah-NIGH) deck, porch, veranda or patio
Lei - (lay) necklace made of flowers, shells, feathers or nuts
Lomi - (low-mee) to massage or rub, lomi salmon served at a lu'au is raw salmon rubbed with salt and spices mixed with tomatoes
Lu'ua - (loo-ow) Hawaiian feast meaning taro leaves
Mahalo - (mah-hah-low) learn this one if no other, it means Thank You!
Makai - (mah-kigh) towards the sea
Malihini - (mah-lee-hee-nee) newcomer, visitor, or guest
Moana - (moh-ah-nah) ocean
Nani - (nah-nee) beautiful or pretty
Nui - (new-ee) big, important, great
'Ohana - (oh-hah-nah) family
'Ono - (0h-no) delicious, the best, type of fish
'Okole - (oh-koh-leh) derrière
Paniolo - (pah-nee-OH-low) cowboy
Pau - (pow) finish - pau hana is getting off work
Poi - (poy) pounded taro root, served at lu'aus -definietly an acquired taste!
Wai - (why) fresh water
Wikiwiki - (wee-kee-wee-kee) hurry up, very quick
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Underwater Photography by Warren Vanderbilt ©2002 Maui, Hawaii
Disclaimer: The information contained within these pages is meant only as a general guide as to what to expect when visiting Hawai'i. This information is kept as up-to-date as possible. Since weather and environmental conditions may change quickly, it is always prudent to take into consideration weather and environmental conditions when planning any activity.
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