The Hawaiian language is not in common use in Hawaii today, but many Hawaiian words are in everyday use. Almost everyone has heard the word 'aloha,' and
there are several other commonly used Hawaiian
words, such as 'Mahalo' (thank you). Most of the destinations and streets have Hawaiian names.

Visitors are often intimidated by Hawaiian words. There are only 12 letters in the alphabet. There are five
vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. There are seven consonants;
H, K, L, M, N, P, and W. Most of us aren't used to seeing
so many vowels used in words, often many in a row. Basically, just pronounce all the vowels one by one.
The accented syllable is in all cap's.

     Aina (EYE-na) Land, earth
     Alii (ah-LEE-ee) Chief, chiefess, or royalty
     Aloha (ah-LOW-ha) Hello, good-by, or an expression
        of affection
     Haole (HOW-leh) A white person; Caucasian
     Heiau (hay-EE-ow) Pre-Christian shrine or place
        of worship
     Hula (WHO-lah) The dance of Hawaii
     Imu (EE-moo) An underground oven at a luau
     Kahuna (kah-WHO-na) A priest, minister, or an
        expert at any profession
     Kai (kigh) The sea
     Kamaaina (Kah-ma-EYE-na) Native born
     Kane (KAH-knee) A man or boy
     Kapu (KAH-poo) Sacred, taboo, forbidden, no
         trespassing
     Keiki (KAY-key) Child, offspring, or children
     Kokua (koh-KOO-ah) Help or give assistance
     Lanai (lah-NIGH) A porch, patio, or balcony
     Lei (lay) A necklace of flowers, leaves, shells, etc.
     Luau (LEW-ow) Literally means young taro tops, but
         used for a Hawaiian feast
     Mahalo (mah-HAH-low) Thanks, gratitude
     Makai (mah-kigh) Ocean, or "toward the ocean"
     Malihini (mah-lee-HEE-knee) A stranger or foreigner
     Mauka (MOW-ka) Toward the mountains
     Ohana (oh-HAH-nah) Family or relative
     Nui (NEW-ee) Big, large, great, or important
     Ohana (oh-HAH-nah) Family
     Ono (OH-no) Delicious or tasty, and also a large
          mackerel type of fish
     Pali (PAH-lee) Cliff, a steep hill or slope
     Paniolo (paw-knee-OH-low) Hawaiian cowboy
     Pau (pow) Finished, ended, all done
     Poi (poy) A paste made from pounded taro root
     Pupu (poo-poo) Snacks or appetizers
     Wahine (wah-HEE-neh) Woman, lady
     Wikiwiki (wee-kee-wee-kee) Fast or speedy

A Few Useful Phrases

     A Hui Hou (Ah Hooee Ho) Until we meet again
     Aloha ahiahi (Aloha ahee ahee) Good Evening
     Hana Hou (Hana Ho) Encore; repeat

Do You Know?

CHAMPAGNE was created by accident. It's makers, upset by unwanted effervesence in
wine they were aging, called in vin du diable ~ "wine of the devil."