In ancient times, the culture and traditions of the people of Hawaiʻi were transmitted orally from generation to generation. American missionaries arrived in 1820 and soon formulated a written Hawaiian language based on the sounds they heard. Hawaiians quickly adopted written literacy following the introduction of printed Bibles, grammars and other textbooks. Hawaiian was the primary language of all islanders until the late 19th century. In 1893, the last reigning Hawaiian monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani, was overthrown by American forces. Soon thereafter, Hawaiian was banned as the language of instruction in all schools. That prohibition was finally officially lifted in 1986. Today, the State of Hawaiʻi has two official languages, Hawaiian and English, established by the State Constitution of 1978.

In its written form, the language uses an alphabet of 13 letters: five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and eight consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w) including the ʻokina or glottal stop. The “sound” of the ʻokina is similar to the vocal break made when pronouncing “oh-oh.” Omission of the ʻokina, as with the omission of any other letter, changes the meaning of the word. The kahakō, or macron, is a diacritical mark employed primarily as an aid to proper pronunciation; it indicates a stressed and elongated vowel.

Learn the Hawaiian Language

Click an individual Hawaiian word below to have Uncle Earl guide you through the correct pronunciation and meaning of the word in a short video.

Alakaʻi Nalu – Leaders of the Waves.

ʻAkaka Falls – One of many water falls on the east side of this island.

Aliʻi – Chief or anyone that is of royalty.

E komo mai – To come in or welcome.

Hala – Type of tree which dried leaves where used to weave mats to sit and lay on. It was also used to weave the sails for the canoes.

Hale Kula – A place for learning (school.)

Hale Nalu – Home of the Alakaʻi Nalu.

Hau ʻoli – Means to be happy.

Hāwī – It’s the name of the main town in Kohala.

Heiau – Is a temple.

Hoʻokipa – Host or hospitality.

Hōkūleʻa – Is the name of the first long voyaging canoe built in the 20th century here in Hawaiʻi. It also means Star of Gladness.

Hōlualoa – A tiny artsy town above Kailua-Kona town on the old Mamālahoa Highway.

Hōnaunau – Place name in south Kona.

Honu – Turtle

Hualālai – The name of one of five major volcanoes that created this Island of Hawaiʻi. It’s also the name of the wife of master navigator Hawaiʻi Loa.

Hulali – Means to sparkle or shine.

Kahiko – The time of the ancient ones.

Kahuwai – The name of the bay that is located north of Ulu restaurant fronting Kona Village.

Kālā Paʻa – Currency.

Kāne – A male in Hawaiian.

Kapu – Taboo.

Kaʻūpūlehu – Roasted Breadfruit, also the name of this ahupuaʻa (land division.)

Keiki – A child or children.

Kīholo – Kīholo Bay is located 10 minutes north of the resort.

Kīlauea – One of 5 major volcanoes that helped create this island, and one of the most active volcanos in the world.

Kohala – Name of one of the major districts on Hawaiʻi Island.

Kukui – The candle nut tree.

Kupuna – An Elder

Lapakahi – A state park on the Kohala coast.

Lau – Leaves off of a plant.

Lino Hau – Perfection.

Lomi Lomi – To massage.

Mahuaola – To increase the value of life.

Makai – Directional, meaning towards the sea.

Makaliʻi – Name of the long voyaging canoe built in Kamuela here on Hawaiʻi Island. It’s also one of many star consolations Hawaiian navigators old and new use while sailing.

Manini – Is the name of a reef fish that belong to the tang family.

Mauka – Directional, meaning towards the mountain.

Maunakea – White Back Mountain. It’s also considered the tallest mountain in the world from the ocean floor to the summit.

Naupaka – The scientific name is Scaevola Sericea this plant can grow in high and low elevation. You’ll find this plant on the beach walk in the hotel, and through out the resort.

Niu – A coconut

Noni – The name of one of many medicinal plants used by the Hawaiians past and present.

ʻOhe Kapala – The art of stamping using strips of bamboo.

Pololū – The name of a valley in Kohala. This is where Kamehameha the Great was raised from when he was an infant to his early teens.

Puʻuhonua – A place of refuge.

Puʻukoholā – Means the hill of the whale. Its located 40 minutes north of the resort.

ʻUkulele – An introduced instrument from Portugal, also means Jumping Flea.

Wahine – A female in Hawaiian.

Waiakauhi – The name of the pond south of the Beach House restaurant.

Wāwae – Your feet.

Wawali – Smooth.