The Hawaiian Language

Dear W,
Would you like to know a little of the Hawaiian language? There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet: vowels a-e-i-o-u and consonants h-k-l-m-n-p-w. Though some of the words look horrendous - long and unpronounceable they are really very easy if you remember one thing: the syllables of all words end in a vowel (the only exception is when two vowels sometime form a dipthong and aren't separated but form a single sound. As in Waikiki - pronounced Wy-key-key.) We have a little town called Kaaawa - pronounced Kah-ah-ah-vah. (When W comes near end of word it has a V sound. Most Hawaiians say Hah-vah-ay). One interesting note: in giving directions one never says north, east, south, west. East is Diamond Head (an ancient inactive volcano); west is Ewa: (Eh-vah) a small town; north is Mauka (mau-kah) - inland - towards the (so-called) mountains; Makai (mah-ky) toward the ocean - south.

I have picked some words out of the newspapers and magazines that we all use. The accent is usually on next to last syllable.
Ono (oh'-no) : delicious, tasty
Aloha (Ah-lo'-ha): Hello, goodbye, love, affection, kindness
Mahalo (mah-hah'-low): thank you
keikis (kay'-keys): children
auwe (ow-way): ouch!
pau (pow): done, finished, no more
kaukau (cow'-cow): food
luau (loo'-ow): feast with island foods, often entertainment. Tourists love this.
lei (lay): flower or leaf garland
lanai (lah-nye'): porch or patio
akamai (ah'-kah-my): wise or clever
alii (ah-lee'-ee): Hawaiian royalty or chief
mahimahi (mah'-he-mah'-he): a wonderful fish for eating. Especially with macadamia nut sauce
puka (poo'-kah): hole in shells, shoes, etc.
poi (poy): one of the Hawaiians favorite foods (tastes like library paste to me)
muumuu (moo-oo-moo-oo): floor length island dress - usually loose fitting
tutu (two-two): grandmother, elderly woman
wikiwiki (wee-key-wee-key): fast, quickly, in a hurry
wahini (wah-hee'-nay): woman, lady, wife (important for getting right restroom)
maile (my-lay): green vine type for leis for royalty or very important people
ilima (ee-lee-ma): small flowers for leis
shaka (shah'-kah): perfect, great, right-on
pupus (poo'-poos): hors d'oeuvres
kokua (ko-koo'-ah): help, assistance
kapu (kah'-poo): taboo, forbidden, do not enter
kane (kah'-nay): man - important to enter the right public restroom
paniolo (pah-nee-ow'-low): Hawaiian cowboys
ohana (oh-hah-nah): family or group of close friends
malihini (mah-lee-hee'-nee): newcome to islands, stranger
lolo (low'-low): stupid
hale (hah'-lay): house
da kine (da-kyne): that thing, whatchamacallit
brah (bra): brother, friend
kahuna (kah-who'-nah): Hawaiian priest
imu (ee'-moo): underground oven - especially for whole pigs for luaus. One of most delicious foods I've ever eaten.
Howz it? (hows it): How you doing? What's happening? (a greeting)
heiau (hey-ee-ow): ancient Hawaiian temple
hapa-haole (hah'-pa-how'-lee): half Caucasion
kamaaina (kah-mah-eye'-nah): long time island resident
lomi lomi (low'-me-low'-me): raw salmon delicacy
haole (how'-lee): Caucasion, white person. "Dirty haole" if local person dislikes you - some people (white) object to word haole. I don't mind.

Now! With all that I have told you, you are ready for this! Give it a go (from local newspaper): When I was a pastor of the Waimea Hawaiian Church on Kauai in 1943, Mama Kahale of Niihau brought her baby to me for baptism. When I asked her the name of her baby, she said: "Kuuleialohaikaainamalihini". I was puzzled by the name which means:"My beloved lei in a foreign land". When I asked her to explain, she said that her firstborn child had been brought to Kauai for medical treatment, had died, and was buried on Kauai.

Would you like to write your next letter to me in Hawaiian?

Love,
E.R.G.