Hawaiian Language Pronunciation Guide - Go Hawaii

Skip to main content Hawaiian Language The world’s indigenous languages are repositories for identity, cultural history, community traditions, and generational memory. A native people’s language is the key to unlocking unique systems of knowledge and understanding. The Hawaiian language, 'Ōlelo Hawai‘i, came to our shores along with the first people to arrive from the ancestral homelands of Polynesia. The language evolved alongside the culture into the nuanced, multi-layered 'Ōlelo Hawai‘i we know today. When the written language was introduced to the masses in the early 1800s, Hawai‘i residents – both Native Hawaiians and others who came to the islands – developed an insatiable appetite for reading and writing in 'Ōlelo Hawai‘i. Newspapers with news of Hawai‘i and the wonders of the world made their way to all corners of the kingdom, and literacy rates rivaled the most progressive nations in the world. The cosmopolitan citizenry of the Hawaiian kingdom conducted their lives in Hawaiian, the language of the land. Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893, Hawaiian language use declined along with other Hawaiian cultural practices, lifestyles, and arts. Aiding in the decline was a law banning instruction in the language in Hawai‘i schools. The Hawaiian cultural renaissance of the 1970s set the stage for the language’s return from the brink of extinction. Sparked by the realization that fewer than 50 children spoke the language in the early 1980s, a group of educators established preschools where children learned Hawaiian by interacting with native speaking elders. These schools proved successful, and today are the foundation of an educational system where students can go as far as a doctoral degree in the language. Even with Hawaiian language returning to prominence in Hawai‘i – the only state in the US with two official languages – it is still classified as a critically endangered language by the United Nations. You can be a part of the 'Ōlelo Hawai‘i revival. Start with the basic Hawaiian words and pronunciation tips below. When you arrive, use Hawaiian place names whenever possible. A growing number of businesses are incorporating 'Ōlelo Hawai‘i into their signage. When you arrive at your hotel, ask what Hawaiian language resources are available. And remember to greet the people you meet with a warm, genuine “aloha.”

Use the interactive Hawaiian Pronunciation Guide below to play audio clips and enjoy learning some of the most commonly used words and phrases of the Hawaiian language.

Note: We recognize the use of linguistic markings of the (modern) Hawaiian language including the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop and the kahakō [ō] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Lāna‘i). We acknowledge that individual businesses listed on this site may not use the ‘okina or kahakō, but we recognize the importance of using these markings to preserve the indigenous language and culture of Hawai‘i and use them in all forms of communications.

Commonly Used Phrases

Hawaiian Word English Definition A hui hou! See you later! (Until we meet again) Aloha ahiahi! Good evening! Aloha awakea! Good day! (generally 11am - 1pm) Aloha e _____! Greetings _____! Aloha ʻauinalā! Good afternoon! Aloha kakahiaka! Good morning! Aloha kākou! Greetings to all! E ʻai kākou. Let's eat. E kala mai. Excuse me/us. Pardon me/us. E komo mai! Welcome! Hana hou! Do it again! (Encore!) He aha ka mea hou? What's new? He aha kēia? What is this? He mea iki. A small thing. (not a problem - response to mahalo) ʻA ʻoia! That's it! ʻAʻole maopopo iaʻu. I don't know. ʻO ________ koʻu inoa. My name is________. ʻO wai kou inoa? What is your name? ʻO wau kekahi! Me too! ʻOia mau nō. Same as usual. ʻOno loa kēia! This is very delicious! I lā maikaʻi! Have a good day! Mahalo nui loa! Thank you very much! Maikaʻi au. I am good. Pehea ʻoe? How are you?

Activities

Hawaiian Word English Definition Heʻe Nalu To surf Hekehi To hike Hiamoe To sleep Hīmeni To sing a song Hoe Waʻa To paddle a canoe Hulahula To dance any kind of dance ʻAu To swim Leʻaleʻa Fun Luʻu To dive Nanea To relax, enjoy Papa Heʻe Nalu Surfboard Waʻa Canoe

Culture

Hawaiian Word English Definition Hula The traditional dance of Hawaiʻi ʻŌlelo Language; Speech; Word ʻUkulele Popular musical instrument brought to Hawaiʻi by the Portugese in 1879 Kahuna A skilled and respected practitioner; priest Kapu Restricted; Forbidden; Sacred; Taboo Kui Lei To string a lei Kuleana Responsibility; Privilege Lei A garland of flowers given as a symbol of affection Makana Gift Mele Song Moʻolelo Story Oli Chant Wahi Pana Special and significant place

Daily Life

Hawaiian Word English Definition Hale House ʻŌpala Trash; Rubbish Kālā Money Kalipa Flip Flops; Sandals; Slippers Kāmaʻa Shoe Kiʻi Picture; Image; Photograph; Statue Kōkua Help Lole Clothes Mahalo Thank you; Appreciation; respect Pau Finished; Done

Food & Drink

Hawaiian Word English Definition Halakahiki Pineapple ʻAi To eat ʻOno Delicious ʻUala Sweet potato Imu Underground oven Kalo Taro Kālua To roast in an underground oven Kope Coffee Lūʻau Hawaiian feast Niu Coconut Poi Hawaiian staple food made from cooked taro corns Poke A chunk; a way of preparing raw fish in chunks

Land & Nature

Hawaiian Word English Definition Ahupuaʻa A mountain-to-sea land divison Ānuenue Rainbow Ao Cloud Awāwa Valley Hōkū Star Honu Turtle Honua Earth ʻĀina Land Iʻa fish Kahakai Beach Kahawai River Kai Ocean Kiʻi Pōhaku Petroglyph Lā Sun Ma kai Towards the ocean Ma uka Towards the mountains Makani Wind Mauna Mountain Moʻo Lizard Moku Island Nalu Wave (in the ocean) One Sand Pōhaku Rock; Stone Pua Flower Puʻu Hill; Peak; Mound Ua Rain Wai Water, liquid of any kind except sea water Wailele Waterfall

People

Hawaiian Word English Definition Aliʻi Chief; Chiefess; Ruler; Monarch Hauʻoli To be happy Hoaaloha Friend Hui Group; Organization ʻOhana Family Kamaʻāina Local. Literally "child of the land." Kāne Man; male Keiki Child Kumu Teacher Kupuna Elder; Ancestor Maikaʻi Good; Fine; Well Mākaukau Able, Competent, Capable, Ready Malihini Visitor, Unfamiliar Māluhiluhi Tired Mōʻī King; Queen Nani Pretty Wahine Woman; Female

Travel

Hawaiian Word English Definition Hōkele Hotel Holoholo To ride or walk around for fun ʻEke Bag Kaʻa Car Kaʻa Hai Taxi Kaʻa Hoʻolimalima Rental Car Kaʻa ʻŌhua Bus Mokulele Airplane Next Video