The Hawaiian Language – Most frequently used phrases and words to use on your visit - Hawaii Discount

The Hawaiian Language is one of the oldest languages in the world. It is originally from the ancient homelands of Polynesia and has slowly evolved to what we know it as today. In the late 1890’s after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the ban on teaching it in schools, the Hawaiian Language slowly started to become extinct. Then nearly a century later in the 1970’s and 80’s there was a revival of the Hawaiian culture. Family operated, private and non-profit preschools called Punana Leo started teaching the old language again slowly increasing its usage. Now students are learning the language from immersion schools and even gaining Master degrees at places like the University of Hawaii. Today it is still considered a critically endangered language.

The written Hawaiian language is based on the Latin script because prior to Western travelers there was no real written language. The 19th century missionaries converted it to a written language so that they could communicate the messages of the Bible. The modern Hawaiian Alphabet consists of only 13 letters: 5 vowels (A, E, I, O and U) and 8 constantans and the ‘okina (H, K, L, M, N, P, W and ‘). The (‘) signifies a brief pause between letters and its usage is very important as it can change the meaning of a word if it is omitted. The W can sometimes be pronounced as a V if it appears in the middle or at the end of a word, for example: Ewa or Hawi. There are also four rules when it comes to the written version:

• Every syllable ends in a vowel
• All words end in a vowel
• Every consonant is followed by a vowel
• Two consonants never appear next to each other

Hawaii is currently the only state in the United States with two official languages. Here are some common phrases and words you can use on your next visit to the islands.

Commonly Used Phrases and Words

Aloha – Used for “hello” or “goodbye” but also has a much deeper meaning to Hawaiians. Aloha is kindness, love and affection. Ah-loh-hah

E Komo Mai – Welcome!/ Come in! Eh koh-moh my-ee

A Hui Hou – Until we meet again. Ah-hoo-wee-hoh

Mahalo/ Mahalo nui loa – Thank you/ Thank you very much. Mah-hah-loh nu-ee loh-ah

Ohana – Family. Oh-hah- nah

Kama’aina – Local Hawaiian resident, means child of the land. Kah-mah’eye-nah

Keiki – Child/ Children. Kay-kee

Haole – Person not native to Hawai’i, especially a white person. How-leh

Lu’au – Hawaiian feast that includes food and hula. Loo’ah-oo

Hula – Hawaiian form of communication using dance. Hu-lah

Humuhumunukunukupua’a – Picasso Triggerfish/ State fish. Hoo-moo-hoo-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-wah-poo-wah'ah

Ono – Delicious but can also mean a type of fish. Oh-noh

Imu – An underground oven. Ee-moo

Poi – A paste made from the Taro root. Poy

Poke – Cubed raw fish usually served in a bowl with vegetables. Poh-keh

Pupu – Appetizer. Poo-poo

Pau – Finished/ All done. Pah-ow

Lua – Bathhroom. Loo-ah

Kapu – Forbidden/ sacred. Kah-poo

Lei – Necklace of flowers, leaves, shells, etc. Lay

Anuenue – Rainbow. Ah-noo-weh-noo-weh

Mahina – Moon. Mah-hee-nah

La – Sun. Lah

Moana – Ocean. Moh-ah-nah

Lua pele – Volcano. Loo-ah peh-leh

Honu – Turtle. Hoh-noo

Kalalaua - Was considered the “Merry Monarch” of Hawai'i. Kah-lah-cow-ah

Kamehameha - King Kamehameha the First unified the Hawaiian Islands. Kah-meh-ha-meh-hah

Lili'uokalani - Lili'uokalani was the last queen of O'ahu. Lee-lee-oo-oh-kah-lah-nee

Auntie & Uncle – Used in reference to elders regardless whether they are a part of the family.

Howzit? – Slang term for how are you? How-zit

Grindz – Slang term for food

Shaka – A hand gesture by extending the pinky and thumb. This gesture symbolizes the Aloha spirit.