Hawaiian Language

The Colourful Hawaiian Language

Though English is the state language used throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the native traditional Hawaiian Language is commonly used by the local natives. The native Hawaiian Language spoken comes from a dialect of the original Polynesian Language. The native language exemplifies the rich colorful culture and heritage of the islands. While visiting Hawaii the harmonious sounds of the Hawaiian Language can be heard spoken or expressed musically.

It is important to note that many local Hawaiians however speak a broken dialect of English and Hawaiian known as "Pidgin", also sometimes referred to as the "Hawaiian Creole English."

Below you will find summarized information about the Hawaiian Alphabet. For a short and quick list of Hawaiian words to use on your trip see the learn a few common Hawaiian words page.

You may also visit the Hawaiian Dictionary page for our small Hawaiian Dictionary of the more popular Hawaiian words and phrases used.

The Hawaiian Alphabet

• There are only twelve letters in the Hawaiian alphabet.
• Five of the letters are the vowels a, e, i, o and u. These five vowels can either be written without kahakô (without a mark) or with kahakô (with a mark).
• Vowels should be pronounced separately.
• Eight of the letters are the consonants h, k, l, m, n, p, w, and ` (`okina).
• (`) Okina is the apostrophe.`oki " means "to cut" and " na " is an ending that makes a verb into a noun. In English, it is known as a "glottal stop", which means "stop the flow of air at that point". The sound is similar to the pause between the two "oh's" in "Oh-oh”.
• (^) Kahakô literally means "a mark which lengthens a sound." It does not mean to raise the pitch of your voice but instead asks that the letter be lengthened or stressed.
• When î is written, the i is not dotted. Instead the kahakô is written as straight line over the I, which replaces the dot.

The Hawaiian Alphabet