Hawaiian Word List

In response to a number of requests over the past year, here's a list of commonly used Hawaiian words and phrases. For your reference in pronouncing them correctly:

ALL vowels are pronounced, even if some are spoken fast. For example, the word "kai" is pronounced "kah ee", not "keye". Vowel pronounciations are: A (ah), E (ay, as in say), I (ee), O, U (oo). There's actually NO "w" in the Hawaiian language; "w" is spoken as a soft "v".
The diacritical mark ` (okina) is used with double vowels to remind you to pronounce the vowels separately -- takes a short "glitch" in the throat; the macron over a vowel is an accent mark to show which syllable gets emphasized.

Olu'olu = pleasing
Nahenahe = sweet
Pilikia = trouble
Huhu = scolding, anger

Mahalo = thank you
A hui hou (ho oo) = see you again
Malama pono = take care of yourself

Mele = song
Pa'ani = play
Ho'okani pila = play solo
Hana hou = encore/again
Kanikapila = play music

Pau = end
Pau hana = end of the work day
Lawa = enough (let's take a break)
Mana'o = thought, idea

Makai = towards the sea
Mauka = towards the mountain
Ewa = direction ref. on O'ahu only
Diamond Head = direction ref. on O'ahu only
Malihini = visitor, someone foreign to the area
Kama'aina = resident of the land

Aina = land
Wai = fresh water
Kai = sea, salt water

HSGA * HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION
KAMAKA TOM, President
45-600 KAMEHAMEHA HWY * KANEOHE, HI * 96744
PHONE/FAX (808) 235-4742
EMAIL: hsga@lava.net

Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net)
Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu)