Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Hawaiian Alphabet


When Captain Cook discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, he also discovered that Hawaiians had a totally oral tradition. There was, up until western contact, no written version of the Hawaiian language. In 1820 western missionaries living in the islands first standardized a written version of the Hawaiian language.

The written Hawaiian language is based on English letters. There are 8 consonants and five vowels - much simplier than English! (Or so it appears at first glance.)

Consonants
HAs in English
KAs in English
LAs in English
MAs in English
NAs in English
PAs in English
WAfter i and e pronounced v
After u and o pronounced like w
At the start of a word or after a pronounced like w or v
''Okina - a glottal stop (more on this below)
Vowels
(hit your browsers back button after
listening to the sounds below
to return to this page)

ALike the a in far
ELike the e in bet
ILike the y in city
OLike the o in sole
ULike the oo in moon
Source: Hawaiian Dictionary

Special Symbols - the 'Okina and Kahakō

Two symbols appear frequently in Hawaiian words... the 'Okina and the Kahakō. These two symbols change how words are pronounced.

The 'Okina is the apostrophe mark and is a glottal stop - or a brief break in the word. The break is very fast, and if you're not careful listening you may miss it. As an example, think of the English oh oh - the small break, or silence, between the first oh and the second oh is the same break you would make if an 'Okina appeared in the word (for example... oh'oh).

The 'Okina is an official consonant - just as any of the other consonants. An 'Okina will appear in front of a vowel, never before another consonant. Additionally, an 'Okina will never be the last letter in a word - but will always appear between letters or at the beginning of the word.

The Kahakō is a stress mark (macron) that can appear over vowels only and serve to make the vowel sound slightly longer. The vowels ā, ē, ī, ō, and ū sound just like their non-stress Hawaiian vowels with the exception that the sound is held slightly longer.

Missing the 'Okina or Kahakō can greatly change not only the how a word sounds, but also its basic meaning. For example, the word kāne (kaa-nay) means male while the same word without the Kahakō, kane (ka-nay), means skin disease. Likewise the word moa (mo-ah) is a chicken while mo'a (mo ah) means cooked.

Simple Secrets

The sections above gave you some of the basics behind the language itself and how it appears and sounds. However, there are a couple of simple tricks to help you figure out Hawaiian words quickly and pronounce them properly:

  • Hawaiian words may start with any letter, vowel or consonant.
  • Hawaiian words will never end with a consonant.
  • Syllables in Hawaiian words are only one or two letters, never longer.
  • Syllables must end with a vowel, or can be a single vowel, but can never be a single consonant.
  • Can you pronounce "humuhumunukunuku'āpua'a"

    Hawaii State fish humuhumunukunuku'āpua'a
    Here's how you pronounce it.
    (hit your back browser button to return)


    Thursday, March 17, 2011

    Kauai --- Places to visit on your vacation -- -- For Rent

    These are just a few pictures from our vacations on Kauai.
    Click on each picture to enlarge. Click a second time for a larger view.





































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    The Point at Poipu


    The Point at Poipu

    Address:

    1613 Pe'e Road
    Koloa, Hawaii, United States, North America 96756

    The Point at Poipu

    Flowing waterfalls, a crystal clear Koi pond, and hundreds of tropical plants make The Point at Poipu a special place indeed. Nestled in 22 acres of lush tropical gardens overlooking the Keoneloa Bay, and buildings no taller than a coconut tree, it is hard to believe this island paradise is actually a resort.

    The Point at Poipu features one- and two-bedroom timeshare accommodations with all the comforts and conveniences of home. Master bedrooms feature a king-size bed and large bathroom with separate soaking tub and shower stall. Kitchens are fully equipped with granite counter tops, range and oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, utensils, cookware, dishware, and dining area. Living rooms have complete entertainment centers, and private lanais open to lush gardens or the Pacific Ocean.

    In the center of The Point at Poipu is the tranquil lagoon-style swimming pool with its own sandy beach and whirlpool spas. In a more remote part of the resort is an adults-only spa for quiet time away from the kids. The resort also offers a complete fitness center, pool side grill and bar, pool hut for all your pool and beach accessories, and barbecue areas for a quiet dinner at "home."

    The Point at Poipu offers guests an assortment of activities for young and old. Take an Introduction to Hawaiian Language course and learn basic words and phrases that will get you conversing with the locals. Work off a few pounds taking hula lessons, exercising in the lagoon pool, participating in the sunrise walk, or learning how to kayak. Additional activities include Koi fish feeding, swimming pool games for the kids, scuba and snorkel lessons, lei making class, and a golf scramble at the Poipu Bay Golf Course.

    Formerly known as: Embassy Vacation Resort Poipu Point

    • Price: $1,498 ($214 per night)
    • Length of Stay: 7 nights (14 Available)
    • Available: Apr 1, 2011 - Dec 31, 2011
    • Owner:
    • Unit: Varies (corner unit)
    • Smoking: No
    • Pets: No
    • Kitchen: Yes
    • Occupancy: 6
    • Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 2/2
    • Beds: 1 King, 2 Twin/Single, 1 Sleeper Sofa
    • View: Oceanfront

    Amenities: BBQ, DVD Player, Deck or Patio, Dishwasher, Handicap Accessible, Internet Access, Laundry - Dryer, Laundry - Washer, Microwave, Refrigerator - Full Size, Stereo, TV, Telephone

    Two Weeks Available------

    This is a two bedroom, two bath, Oceanfront (usually) corner unit with a wrap around lanai facing the Pacific.

    We have booked Saturday, November 19, 2011 until Saturday, November 26, 2011 early to reserve a unit over the Thanksgiving holiday.

    Also, we booked Friday, December 23, 2011 until Friday, December 30, 2011for Christmas.

    We have the ability to change the weeks to accommodate your schedule. If you want different weeks, we can guarantee oceanfront but cannot guarantee a room number at this time.

    We will sell one week at a time but prefer to sell them together if you have a date change.

    All the oceanfront’s have a beautiful view. (The pictures are from our vacation at The Point in December of 2007)

    Please email us with any questions you may have.

    Respond to this Posting:

    If you're interested in this posting, send an e-mail

    To:hawaii_poipu@yahoo.com

    Friday, January 4, 2008

    Mele Kalikimaka

    Friday, December 21, 2007

    Pearl Harbor

    USS Missouri




    Oil on the water from the Arizona

    View from our room - Waikiki



    From the Hilton Hawaiian Village