Learn to Speak Hawaiian

While the Hawaiian language is no longer widely used in fluency, many words and phrases are seamlessly woven into everyday life here in the islands. And while by no means necessary, it may be helpful become familiar with a few key words. Besides, it’s fun!

Lesson one – prepare to see a lot of vowels. There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet, 5 vowels and 7 consonants: A, E, I, O, U and H, K, L, M, N, P, W.

Lesson two – All vowels should be pronounced with the “long” sound. For example, the a should be pronounced as in the word always, e should be pronounced as in the word every.

Lesson three – the ʻokina. The ʻokina signals a short pause in a word. For example, Kaʻanapali is pronounced ka-ah-napali.

Now that you know the basics, here a few of the most popular words for you to practice:

Aloha (ah-lo-ha) – a greeting or farewell; love

Aloha Kakahiaka (ah-lo-ha ka-ka-hee-ah-ka) – good morning

Aloha ʻoe (ah-lo-ha o-eh) – farewell

Mahalo (ma-ha-lo) – thank you

Mahalo nui loa (ma-ha-lo new-ee lo-ah) – thank you very much

Kokua (ko-ku-ah) – help, assitance

Wahine (va-hee-nay) – woman

Kane (ka-nay) – man

Keiki (kay-kee) – child

Kuʻuipo (ku-u-ee-po) – sweetheart

Hauʻoli la Hanau (how-o-lee la ha-now) – happy birthday

A hui hou (ah who-ee ho) – until we meet again

ʻOhana (o-ha-na) – family