10 HAWAIIAN WORDS You’re (Probably) Saying WRONG

Рет қаралды 50,128

Күн бұрын

Let’s go over 10 common Hawaiian words and places/names that are often mispronounced by visitors and even locals. Hopefully, when you say these words, you won’t be embarrassed or second-guess yourself in Hawaii. And I’m not approaching this as some authoritative source who is here to scold you or put you to shame. In full transparency, I’m approaching this as a work-in-progress because I also mispronounce some Hawaiian words, not because I don’t know, but because sometimes I slip up.
Intro - 0:00
Name of the State - 0:40
The Main Island - 1:26
The Capital of Hawaii - 1:50
Common Hawaiian Greeting - 2:37
"Thank You" - 3:10
Highway from Honolulu to Kaneohe - 3:31
Highway from Honolulu to East Oahu - 3:48
City on the West Side of Oahu - 4:18
Windward City on Oahu - 4:50
East Side City on the Big Island - 5:24
Bonus (Hawaii State Fish) - 5:48
Filmed on the Canon Vixia HF G60.
📷 IG - / hello_from_hawaii

Пікірлер: 328

@zolikahawaii 3 жыл бұрын

We are Hungarians living in Hawaii Kai and we don't use W in our language at all, instead V, that's why it's very easy for us to pronounce Hawaiian correctly! Aloha.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing.

@HawaiiReal 3 жыл бұрын

That is super interesting

@Errr717 2 жыл бұрын

LOL same with Germans.

@paulrevere2379 Жыл бұрын

@@Errr717 Ve have und Volksvagen bruddah

@blackwater7183 Жыл бұрын

Did the locals try to kick you out yet for being a "frickin haole"?

@rickchapman3051 3 жыл бұрын

I had a friend visiting from California. We were in a fast food restaurant and the counter person said Mahalo when we picked up our order. My friend got all upset because they saw Mahalo on the trash can and they thought the counter person called them trash. Never occurred to them that in California the trash receptacles say "Thank you". We laughed for a long time after that.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

lol. That's a great story.

@explorer346 3 жыл бұрын

@Rick Chapman, you made me laugh.

@bigmike1850 Жыл бұрын

That’s not a real story you made it up.

@bigmike1850 Жыл бұрын

You would NEVER dare to come out here and get upset. You are on your best behavior in Hawaii or someone will pound your skull into the ground.

@Duhble07 Жыл бұрын

@@bigmike1850BigMike, c’mon, such a downer.

@mixflip 3 жыл бұрын

When I first moved to Hawaii I thought Mahalo meant trash....because I saw it on all the trash cans in every McDonald's. Then I learned trash is actually rubbish.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

lol. 😆

@harrymiram5562 6 ай бұрын

Opala=Rubbish/trash

@shaggybreeks Ай бұрын

LOL, same here! I saw it written on trash cans. Imagine my confusion when someone said it to me the first time!

@lordkent8143 3 жыл бұрын

There's also ʻukulele . Man, so many mainlanders butcher it with, "You- Ku-Lei-Lee" even Michael Perry from KSSK often pronounces it wrong.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I always thought that pronunciation was for comedic effect. Can't believe he pronounces it wrong. lol

@Post_Stall_Maneuver 2 жыл бұрын

when our language is so phonetically correct that mainlanders pronounce it according to the dumpster fire that is english pronouncing

@da808fam5 6 ай бұрын

das cos he haole lol

@KristalMatt 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! I’m glad to hear I pronounce Hawaii correctly. As an Aboriginal person from Australia I know how important pronunciation is, but understand how easy it can be to get wrong if people share wrong information. I’ve now learnt some new words today, I appreciate you sharing :) I’ve just subscribed, looking forward to watching more of your videos!

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

Mahalo for subscribing

@SeanShimamoto 11 ай бұрын

Hawaiian is a lot easier to pronounce once you understand that it's a phonetic language where each vowel is pronounced one way: A = ah I = ee (like bee, cee, dee) E = eh (like eh, meh) O = oh U = ooh The Hawaiian language actually pronounces vowels the same way the Spanish and Japanese languages pronounce their vowels. Anyway, sending lotsa love & aloha from Kaimukī town in Honolulu to you & your entire ohana! 😁🤙🏾 ♥️🌈☀️ (Hawai’i symbols)

@DPSS808 Жыл бұрын

Born and raised in Hawaii. Lived in Kaneohe during my highschool years and grad castle in 92. After watching your video I am now questioning how I pronounced things my whole life. Man this video gave me one complex.

@SeanShimamoto 11 ай бұрын

I was born and raised in Kaimukī, grad Kaimukī High in 91 and most of my friends from Kāneohe pronounced it wrong. LOL. So don't beat yourself up too much. I was raised by my Aunty who's 50% Hawaiian so that's the only reason I grew up pronouncing Hawaiian words correctly. Main thing you're trying to pronounce them correctly now. 👍🏽 Anyway, aloha from Kaimukī to you & your ohana. 😄🤙🏽

@autumnskye5882 3 жыл бұрын

First trip I butchered Waimanalo! I asked the bus driver and he said miss your destroying our language. So after that I made a conscience effort to learn the words correctly!! I have gotten much better by trip 6!! Mahalo 🌸🤙🌺

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

That's a tough one too. Did you say "Wai-ma-nay-lo"?

@autumnskye5882 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii more like way man lo!! 🤦‍♀️

@alifmuhammadchicago 2 жыл бұрын

Yikes. He was a little harsh, imo. But I'm glad you learned many new things!

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

My mom's Kamehameha upon our arrival was downright priceless!!

@tomwong6067 3 жыл бұрын

My mother's side of the family is from Hawaii so I grew up being taught the correct pronunciations but when I say these words (and more) I get people trying to correct me, lol. I tried to correct my wife once but that didn't turn out too well, lol

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

lol. :)

@X-Kid_Z 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, this happens in the mainland. I feel like I get weird looks and I'm the weird one when I pronounce poke correctly. Except I don't go as far as to pronounce the "w" as a "v" sound. Feels like I'm trying to be Kanaka. Maybe I'm wrong though and I should always say the words as authentically as possible.

@prokodza 3 жыл бұрын

@X-Kid Z Your incident with the pole seems like a big BRUHH moment lol

@vp3970 11 ай бұрын

… might want to spell it correctly first, it’s Hawaiʻi. 😊

@Mimi-bh3yo 3 жыл бұрын

Hi. This clip reminds me one story. I started to work when I come back from Hawaii to Japan. One day, I was talking to my client who is from Hawaii on the phone for the first time. During the conversation, out of the blue she said “Aren’t you from Hawaii, too?” I was surprised, and asked how did she find out. She said “ You just pronounced Ha-va-i’i not Hawai”. We laughed. It was funny. Anyways, my killer word is Ke’eaumoku. That’s tough.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Funny! I struggled with Kalanianaole for years.

@vp3970 11 ай бұрын

All you need to do is identify and count the syllables in Ke’eaumoku=5

@hmmmm.3899 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! There are soo many local/hawaiian words you can do, maybe in a part 2? I’m from Kaneohe and I’ve never heard anyone from there say it incorrectly. In fact, they’d be annoyed if it was said wrong and assume the person wasn’t from the area lol. Proper pronunciation is important and a sign of respect for the people of the culture but even I have my lazy days where I leave out a letter or two when speaking. Definitely want to stop doing that because, you know, gotta represent and all 🤙🏽

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, there's so many words. Not sure if I'll making a part 2, but I'll keep that in mind. Mahalo!

@latenightcynic3582 3 жыл бұрын

Aloha, moving to Oahu at the end of next month and all of your videos have been a huge help. I wanted to make sure to take the time say Mahalo.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Glad the videos helped. Good luck with the move.

@danielacorpuz3752 3 жыл бұрын

Its so helpful. Thank you so much! Mahalo! 😍

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@celinacoombs4367 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the lesson. It gives me a taste of the place I miss and hopefully will get there the end of 2021!

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully you can make it. Things are starting to open up.

@jenanalleman6285 3 жыл бұрын

I'm from Oklahoma and many town names are Native American words, so those from outside of the state often aren't sure how to pronounce certain town names at first.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Those are some tough names to pronounce.

@HawaiiReal 3 жыл бұрын

Some Native American words can be super difficult! Way harder than Hawaiian

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

Tecumseh, Seminole, Owasso....lol

@scottjacobs1072 3 жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the great tips on pronunciation...helps to make for more respectful conversations Love your content.!!

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Appreciate it. 🤙

@karip72 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Would love to see more like these. I have a difficult first and last name (with lots of vowels), so I'm familiar.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Mahalo. Lots of unique words in Hawaii, including all of the Pidgin English phrases we use.

@Boonicat71 3 жыл бұрын

Good information! I work in Wahiawa and for years we all said “WA-he-WA”, and only recently learned it’s “WA-he Ava”

@SunnyIlha 3 жыл бұрын

Fo'real da kine stay li'dat.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

@HawaiiReal 3 жыл бұрын

Lol even locals call it Wa hee wa still

@SunnyIlha 3 жыл бұрын

We used to talk lazy kine & say 'Wa-hea-wuh' up in the North upland side. And den da South & downtown side da folks dey seh 'Wa-hee-wa' 😁😂😆

@HawaiiReal 3 жыл бұрын

@@SunnyIlha Almost like sometimes we dont want to try hard to over pronounce a hawaiian name and end up sounding even more stupid🤣

@termina2737 Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for this video! I’ve been studying Japanese and Spanish so I see the letter “a” and think it’s an “ah” sound - but take the Hawaiian word “maika’i” for example - the second ‘a’ has more of an ‘uh’ sound. “Mai-kuh-ee.” (Glottal stop between kuh and ee).

@SeanShimamoto 11 ай бұрын

So nice to see someone notice these small and subtle differences. 👍🏽

@SunnyIlha 6 ай бұрын

It's true. There's both an open A, & a guttural muted A in Hawaiian. It changes meanings of words.

@bjs001001 2 жыл бұрын

I love the Like-Like Hwy! And yes, even though I know how to pronounce it correctly I still say it in English to myself but not in public. Great stuff, bro. Thanks for sharing this info.

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

🤙

@harveyh3696 Жыл бұрын

03:00 Robin Williams movie "Good Morning Vietnam" pops onto mind. I've only heard "Aloooooohah" in a celebratory situation/mood. Luv your vids

@dayinthelifehawaii Жыл бұрын

very interesting, something to think about. mahalos for sharing.

@dollchristopher 3 жыл бұрын

Nice vid! Some other weird ones are Waianae (as though it were "Wai-nai"), Kihei (many people don't pronounce the "i"), and Lana'i (without the glottal stop, thus "Lanai" like the porch).

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Those are some common ones too. Gotta remember the okina.

@HawaiiReal 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah I butcher Spanish words

@evilpsyop 2 жыл бұрын

I lived in Makaha from 2 to 7 before moving back to California to be with my mom. Trying to get back in touch with my Hawaiian roots. Thank you for this video!

@LorieShelley Жыл бұрын

I grew up on Haiku Road in the 70s before the Winward Mall and lived with a great Aunt who spoke only Hawaiian. Because of her language we learned the proper way to speak, but in those days before they taught Hawaiian in school, everyoneʻs (except native speakers) language was a bit lazy - even the street signs used Americanized version of local words. So Kaneohe was said exactly as you said it; no shame! When Hawaiians started reclaiming their language, everything changed - including the pronunciation of all the words you cite. But you might want to add "ukulele" to your next version! Thanks for this video, Iʻm happy I happened upon you.

@jiggerinokobalis609 Жыл бұрын

The English who transcribed the language used a w to transcribe the voiced bilabial fricative as the shape of the mouth is in a w shape, but it's voiced. There's evidence that all three variants were used depending on place and time, v, w, and the voiced bilabial fricative.

@taoyunzhi1323 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video! I'm a linguistics student and am currently doing a research project about Hawaiian. It's super interesting to learn about the Hawaiian language and its culture ;)

@ervinmalalis7150 3 жыл бұрын

Maka'i no 'oe. Makemake ka 'ikena o ka 'olelo Hawai'i, he mea hanohano wale no.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

It's a great language with a lot of history. I'd recommend reaching out to the University of Hawaii's Kawaihuelani Center.

@taoyunzhi1323 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii Yeah, it's definitely a beautiful language! Thank you for the recommendation ;)

@taoyunzhi1323 3 жыл бұрын

@@ervinmalalis7150 Wow, had to use a translator to understand it. I'll keep learning ;)

@ervinmalalis7150 3 жыл бұрын

@@taoyunzhi1323 'A'ole pilikia. Like most peoples, we like when others attempt to learn our language. Mahalo no.

@haircole 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video Mahalo Kalaniana’ole was my word yesterday just by coincidence. I love the “HA” sound ha it’s beautiful coming up deep from the lungs Also liked knowing the rule for W didn’t know all the exceptions

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I didn't know about the rule before making this video. I could never quite figure out why it was a V sound versus a W sound.

@mstax 3 жыл бұрын

My trick for longer words is to break them into smaller words... practiced "Kamaka" "Vivo" (o like in Honolulu) "Ole" (correct Hawaiian pronunciation of the vowels) over & over until I could rattle off "Kamakawiwo'ole" - helps if you're a dj on the radio! Worked for humuhumunukunukuapua'a too!

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Good idea. I do something similar for long Hawaiian names. I get tripped up on the multiple vowels in a row.

@Whatever_works Жыл бұрын

I asked Alexa how to say friend in Hawaiian.. she didn’t know because she doesn’t speak it yet. I’m grateful for your videos! Mahalo friend

@tonypacheco251 3 жыл бұрын

"Often" - Local boy pronouncing the 't' - "Of-ten". But, it's an either/or situation. So you're cool. The 't' is usually silent because it's a tongue twister. Think I'll stick with 'Aa-fen'...it works with Pidgin English...kind-of! Fun instruction video. You nailed 'em all. Mah-hah-lo!

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

lol. Thanks. I noticed how I said "often" throughout the video. When speaking Pidgin, I know I say Aa-fen.

@andreascrank5429 3 жыл бұрын

Hey can you talk about leaving the island, like I’ve meet many people from Hawaii in the military and some want to return to the island but some do not. Some were worried about family and some people’s family were upset they did not want to return to the island. You being a local how is it perceived to move off the island and not want to return ? I’m from the mainland and my family gives me a hard time about not wanting to return home as well, just curious . Great video as always !

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Great recommendation. Lots of locals move away with no intention of moving back.

@SallyFunakoshi 3 жыл бұрын

“HELLOOOOOOOOOOO” Lol! “Ewah” sounds like baby talk 😂😂 and oh gosh, I am guilty for pronouncing Honolulu->Hanalulu... 🤦🏻‍♀️ this was a great reminder for me to pay attention and correct my pronunciations.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Okay, so not just me? I think a lot of locals say it like that.

@HawaiiReal 3 жыл бұрын

How you say Honolulu??? "TOWN". 😆🤣

@SallyFunakoshi 3 жыл бұрын

@@HawaiiReal EXACTLY! lol

@SunnyIlha 3 жыл бұрын

@@HawaiiReal 😁!!!!!!

@jasminej.524 3 жыл бұрын

Yep I have said Hawaii wrong my whole life! It wasn't until the Duolingo course that I realized that the English name is missing the okina, hence the slight hesitation before the second ''i.''

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

😁

@TheKdunn57 3 жыл бұрын

I learned right away the way you say things and take the time to learn them in Hawaii shows you care and you have great respect for this Beautiful place. I miss Hawaii soooo much One other thing I didnt get the difference. In Kaneohe. Thanks you so much for reminding me of this lovely place I miss so much and for telling others things to know .respect.and look for when they are there. Life there is different ,cost of living,how you live foods everything. I love it

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. It does take time to learn how to say things, but I appreciate it when people make the effort.

@lynetteloo2875 2 жыл бұрын

I think the difference was Ka nay oh hay Instead of ka née oh hee. Similar to po kay. instead of po kee for poke.

@kelvinyschun 3 жыл бұрын

Usually people joke Likelike with Pipeline (peepeeleenee)

@laurengraham9325 2 жыл бұрын

I lived in Hawaii for 7 years as a military brat and am going back soon to visit so I'm looking up how to pronounce things, ever since I realized I was pronouncing Kaneohe wrong. My family always said Kenny Oh-wee. It completely makes sense why we say Honolulu like Hanalulu. H is a glottal sound, and o is a labial sound. To enunciate both you have to coordinate from your throat immediately before your lips, and physiologically it's just easier to resort to a schwa. Ha is one of the easiest consonant-vowel syllables to say. Also, I learned the pronunciation of Hawai'i at school and started saying it with a v sound an okina until I moved to the mainland and people actually told me I was saying it wrong because it's a W.

@user-xq6jp6gd8e Жыл бұрын

😂

@sandrad3346 8 ай бұрын

My dad was in the Navy (he met my mom there), and he used to tell me that he often went to Nanakuli, which he pronounced "nanny-kooli" 😆

@P1549 5 ай бұрын

Also a military brat. Lived in Hawaii for 3 years back in the 60s. As I recall most of my classmates pronounced “Hawaii” with a w and without the okina: “ha-why-hee” unless we were singing something in Hawaiian like “Hawaii Ponoi.”

@coeur2114 2 жыл бұрын

I love Hawaii I hope to be there one day... Soon as possible 🤗 I feel the call thank you for making me feel the energy there🙏🕯️

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

🤙

@Bodhismile 3 жыл бұрын

The town name I always stumble on is Kaaawa. It’s hard for me to get the right rhythm. I always feel like I sound clumsy. I noticed how being able to attend a kanikapila helps with pronunciations; seeing the words and hearing them sung helps connect the dots for me. And of course just listening to Hawaiian music on the radio (Seattle has a great program on KBCS on Saturdays) or listening to the radio in Hawaii (especially those weekend afternoon programs with the traditional/classics).

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

That was a tough one for me too. Lots of A's.

@Bodhismile 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii I had friends who lived there who are Hawaiian so I made my best effort! It’s funny-I am 1/4 Filipino but I know more Hawaiian words than Tagalog. My grandfather never spoke Tagalog at home so I never heard him speak his first language. My mom lived in Honolulu as a kid (Grandpa was at sea during WWII). We’ve had a lot of Hawaiian family friends over the years.

@ervinmalalis7150 3 жыл бұрын

Helps to split the word up. Ka'a-'awa. That is the purpose of the 'okina, to know when to separate the vowels and when to blend and glide them.

@Bodhismile 3 жыл бұрын

@@ervinmalalis7150 That is very clear! Mahalo!😊

@brianbayer9926 3 жыл бұрын

I was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, and I loved the local culture and respected the locals beliefs.

@creativecheersoffashionlau7364 2 жыл бұрын

Loved the video! Being from Europe I have been on the islands 9 times. Luckily I pronounced most of the worst correctly ( maybe because we are used to speak several languages?). I have mostly problems with really long names of places/ areas and have ti hear it said first. It would be nice if you would repeat the correct pronunciation a couple times so we can do it right. Thanks for this one!

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the suggestion. If I do a similar video like this in the future, I'll remember to repeat it a few times.

@creativecheersoffashionlau7364 2 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii yay! Looking forward to that. Thanks!

@brendae7198 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video...I try my best to pronounce things properly where ever I go to show respect. Just like with names, I think it is a disrespect tot he person when you pronounce their name wrong.My Hawaiian friends always make sure I say the words, places and names the right way. I find a lot of people form MAinland dont bother to learn proper ways of saying things,when I encounter them in different places I viisit. I grew up in mainland,east coast, but my father who traveled a lot always told me to learn to say places,names etc properly to show respect.

@makulewahine 3 жыл бұрын

I think a lot of the local mispronunciations are hold overs from the past when the culture and language were not as respected as they are now. You would have cringed at how I grew up pronouncing Ala Moana. Even I cringe now. I've lived long enough to see this respect develop and grow into a true love of this beautiful language as it should be said. It is a work in progress.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

How did locals pronounce Ala Moana? I'm curious.

@makulewahine 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii I'm not sure how to write it but it was with an open a. Kind of like aah. Sounds really awful now. Hope that helps.

@tonypacheco251 3 жыл бұрын

@@makulewahine I think you mean as if you were saying the name Al. Hence Al-a Moana. Haole pronunciation. Right? Instead of Allah-Moana!

@makulewahine 3 жыл бұрын

@@tonypacheco251 Absolutely. Thanks for the clarification.

@harrymiram5562 6 ай бұрын

Soooo Right, Chris! Lotta locals/Hawaiians(Raising my hand!) mis-pronounce Tons of Hawaiian words...e.g...La'ie(Lah-eee-yah)...Ka'a'awa(Kah-ah-vah)... Waianae/Waialua(Why-nye/Why-loo-wah) Learned this in elem. school...When W is at beginning of word, pronounce as W...Waikiki/Waiakamilo/Waimea/Waimanalo/Waiahole/Waikane.... When W is mid-word, pronounce as V....Alewa=Ah-leh-vah/Ewa=Eh-vah/Haleiwa=Hah-lay-ee-vah...Simple but Oh So EASY to Forget!-smh

@gabead 2 жыл бұрын

I moved to Kaneohe. Absolutely love it here. Take H3 to work everyday. On the way home, I get to the light and get to practice Kamehameha over and over and over when I see the street sign.🤣

@syvajarvi2289 Жыл бұрын

Like like always cracked me up.

@singhsinga4592 2 жыл бұрын

I noticed you did not use an apostrophe while wrtiting the names, like O'ahu or Hawai'i. It's vital for the pronouncing the glottal stop before it. I have a question. While there I heard all sorts of pronounciation of the name Hawai'i. Strictly speaking is there an i before te glottal stop or just an a. So: havai ' i or hava ' i? Mahalo!

@eljefeguapobarbon 3 жыл бұрын

Vacationing in Maui and learning new local words 🏝 Ma ha looo😜😎

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Mahalo!

@bighawaiianpunch3534 3 жыл бұрын

Native hawaiian words not local

@syvajarvi2289 Жыл бұрын

I remember taking Hawai’ian history and language in high school at MoHS. I loved the class. My son got me upset one day and I cursed him out in da kine bird😂😂😂😂. He as like, “Dad, what did you say?” I started teaching him what I could remember after that. When a friend of mine, who is native Hawai’ian comes over we talk in Hawai’ian creole a lot…. My son still sounds like a mainlander because of his southern accent but it is getting better😂😂😂😂

@HelloFromHawaii Жыл бұрын

😄

@harveyh3696 Жыл бұрын

05:35 I don't recall ever hearing Hilo called HighLow. Glad to help the algorithm

@samanthalaw 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for putting this together. Just a quick feedback. By saying how you shouldn’t say a word, I get confused which is the right version (ie too much info😅). Please stick with how a certain word should be said without telling the audience the incorrect version. Thanks for the video!🙏

@doninhawaii4433 3 жыл бұрын

Good one. My wife is always correcting me. Lol 👍🤙

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

😁

@waynesmith2287 2 жыл бұрын

Same as New Zealand (Aotearoa) When I first went to Hawaii in the late 1980's I tried to be as correct as possible and looked at the words just Maori works at the languages across Polynesia are all from same origin. The only word that I had real problems with was Lihue which even the locals seemed to say differently. Europeans break word different when reading PETONE in obvious Pet One. No it is actually Pit Oh Ney Great subject because as you say even local mispronounce word through laziness to familiarity. PARAPARAUMU is shorten to Pram or Paraparam but it is Pa ra pa ra umu

@808Target808 4 ай бұрын

I don't know how i stumbled down the youtube rabbit hole and landed on your pronunciation video. I was also born and raised in Kaneohe. I didn't realize that i also had that habit growing up, until getting a bit older and putting more care and respect in how i pronounce Hawaiian words. No longer say Kane-o-we !!!

@HelloFromHawaii 4 ай бұрын

lol. So many ways to say Kaneohe.

@BigDukeX 3 жыл бұрын

Brah, yep - you where driving me crazy with that “HANALULU” pronunciation...

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

🤙

@KateandBree 3 жыл бұрын

Oh gosh, I’m going to Hawai’i in January and now I am questioning how I’m going to pronounce all these names of towns and places I want to visit. Is there a “pronounce Hawaiian cities, towns and locations for dummies” somewhere?

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

lol. It's okay. Just try your best. Sound it out. 😁

@jimgreen5788 Жыл бұрын

The word/place name that tripped me up my first time in HI back in 1987 was Hawi. Now I know it's ha-VEE, rather than HA-we. The place I'm having trouble with now is on Kauai, and it's Hanama'ulu. I can think of 3 different ways to say it: HA-na-ma-OO-loo; ha-NA-ma-OO-loo, and ha-na-MAU-loo. Mahalo in advance from Illinois.

@reginajohnson188 Жыл бұрын

Can you do first name 📛 next video 📸 I love how you put this together 💘

@hulagirldeedee 3 жыл бұрын

I’m guilty of saying “Mill-lani” instead of Mi-li-lani. My mouth gets lazy. I need to be better with that. Great video!

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't heard of that one. Is that a Mililani thing, like Kaneohe?

@ervinmalalis7150 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii Ka-ne -'o-he, Kane'ohe = kane, man + 'ohe, bamboo = Bamboo-man. Comes from a legend about the area concerning a chiefess who could not be satisfied by any man.

@phalarisbajandsmithart534 Жыл бұрын

Likelike sounds exactly like the hawaiian sound in Norway👍👍💪💪💪it will be easier for Norwegians🇳🇴to be fluently in Hawaiian. We pronounse the ladders more identical

@arliejefferson Жыл бұрын

There is a road in South Kona on the Big Island named Napo'opo'o. Locals are amused when tourists pronounce it na-poo-poo, but even locals mispronounce it as na-po-po.

@vorpal22 Жыл бұрын

Kalanianaole (in Hilo) was the first street I lived on in Hawaii. I was messing up those a sounds pretty bad. I remember first getting to Hawaii and thinking, "Turn left at the street starting with K and then having 12 letters after." That's about half the streets here! You should have heard me say "Kinoole" the first time. Erp.

@SeanShimamoto 11 ай бұрын

Yeah, and it's hard when so many things are on Kinoʻole Street. Hehe. I miss going to Hilo Lanes on Kinoʻole St.

@vorpal22 11 ай бұрын

@@SeanShimamotoI've never been... is it still around? Always good to meet new people from Hilo... I lived here in 2013 - 2014 and then moved here in 2021 so COVID was in full swing, so meeting people has been a bit of a pain.

@HanHaole 3 жыл бұрын

Shoots! I noticed you didn't touch Molokai vs Moloka'i. I still avoid that island name in conversation or bait somebody else into saying it first so I don't offend.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I usually don't pause for the okina, similar to the way I say Lanai.

@HanHaole 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii that's interesting! So I go with Molokai, but always break for the okina in Lana'i. I visited there long time ago and a local told me that, so I've been running with it since then. Like you said in the video, as long as the intent is not to offend and to always be receptive to correction, all is good... 🤙

@SunnyIlha 3 жыл бұрын

So true. The glottal stop is in Moloka'i Just like when we all say Kaho'olawe. Very strong, clear, enunciated glottal stop. (We even commonly use the hard "V" sound).

@Californiansurfer 3 жыл бұрын

My friend had a Hawaiin shirt store in Downey California which had large Latino community which mahalo sounds like the other word, so he made a big sign saying mahalo. Man, he moved to Fullerton with hoaoles. California

@bridgetleverett7800 6 ай бұрын

I grew up on Oahu and can relate to all of these.

@walkerx1813 6 ай бұрын

3:31 my Zelda sense is tingling... 5:48 I know how to say humuhumunukunukuapua'a correctly (and super fast) thanks to High School Musical 2... 🤣

@shaggybreeks Ай бұрын

I used to drive a shuttle bus in Lahaina. THAT word is the one that non-locals have the most trouble with. It's almost comical to hear them start to say it, then stutter... "La-HAY? ... HAY-na? Hay? Hayna? LaHAYna? LaHAYN?"... So I tell them it rhymes with "China" or that it rhymes with "vagina". Hope it kokua.

@islandsnow 3 жыл бұрын

Haha that’s funny. Hellooooooooo. Yeah would sound stupid if they start a speech with that. I also hear people say waikea when it should be waiakea (big island). And is it shaved ice or ice shave? 🤪

@tonypacheco251 3 жыл бұрын

As a kid we always referred to it as "Shave Ice" without the 'd". Google refers to it as Hawaiian Shave Ice an ice-based dessert made by shaving a block of ice and adding flavors of syrup. It also says that it's referred to as 'ice shave' on the big island. Hmmm?

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah. Shave ice vs ice shave. That's a Big Island thing.

@islandsnow 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii yup it’s a big island thing but we always get caught up in the debate

@MuditVerma Жыл бұрын

Mahalo!

@takarirosegamer2.0 Жыл бұрын

What is the word you call yourself as a pet owner the video is gone from fb educating us I was going to show my grandmother it's a Haiwaiian way of calling yourself a guardian of a pet is what a remember or friend etcetera

@ronw8628 3 жыл бұрын

I always pronounce Haleakalā as Hale-aka-lau. The last syllable "lau" as in lau-lau, instead of a "la" (Hale-aka-la).

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't heard anyone add on the "lau", but great example.

@alifmuhammadchicago 2 жыл бұрын

Out of curiosity, do you have Okinawan ancestry? I don't mean offense by this. I just saw the Japanese item in the background.

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

No Okinawan in my family

@studiohulaonapuanani 2 жыл бұрын

Mahalo😍

@Alhaaa_ Жыл бұрын

I’m from kaneohe lol and I say it ka-neh-oh-he..I used to not like wen ppl said ka-knee-oh-hee or ka-knee-oh-he buuut to each his own I guess …but it’s KA-NE-OH-HE

@wiredforstereo 5 ай бұрын

The one that bugs me is when locals pronounce place names, especially Halemaʻumaʻu. People say "holly-mau-mau" which is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

@georgecurtis6463 3 жыл бұрын

Yup, most locals even said words differently. Not always consistent. But back when I lived there, most didnt make a big deal about it unless one really butchered it which then was usually haoles. Yes, I was haole but most times accused of being local because I pick up accents quickly. And most all my friends were locals.

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, you picked up the accent? Fast learner. 😊

@georgecurtis6463 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii well, took a few years. But most of my friends were locals so you just pick up the local speak and that's it. Pidgin so to say. Had an old korean guy who had a small shop next to our shop. One day we were talking and I mentioned a bit of my history and he near dropped his cigar. Now picture this guy skinny as all get out and probably 4 ft tall. Anyway he recovered and said he always thought I was a local portagee. I asked why he thought that. He said I talked to much and talked like a local. I had to laugh at that ! But also kinda gave me a bit of pride. Back then folks teased each other relentlessly without any harm taken. Not sure how it is now though.

@CJGfarm 2 жыл бұрын

So humble. I loved the way you ended this video. However, as a haole trying to learn how to say things correctly, I find this video a little confusing. I'm not able to tell which pronunciation is correct. I've seen other videos like this and the best ones never say the wrong pronunciation. They just say the correct one over a few times and even slow it down a bit.

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. The proper way to say it is the second pronunciation. I wanted to include the wrong way to say it so people can hear the difference.

@frisc0pn0ib0i 3 жыл бұрын

A lot of foreigners does the same for Filipino words like MABUHAY...

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I struggle with the language.

@frisc0pn0ib0i 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii haha it’s all about learning their vowels

@SunnyIlha 3 жыл бұрын

"mah-boo-hey" 🤭!! Oooops, sorri Jus teasing a lil' bit !

@bella_b_ballin332 2 жыл бұрын

The state fish, the name reminds me of when sharpay from High school Musical 2 was singing the fish song…

@Errr717 2 жыл бұрын

I'd been living in San Diego for almost 40 years when I met another local a few years ago. Turns out we both went to high school at about the same time in the 60's. He told me he went to Kamehameha high school, and of course, I followed up with "Ohhh, Kam high school". He said, "No, that's the Chinese school; I went to Kamehameha high school". We both laughed.

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

lol. Yeah, I gotta learn to stop saying "Kam school".

@Ollienations Жыл бұрын

But In Kamehameha Schools, my school pronounces it Hawai’i. (HA-vai-E), because in the song, Hawai’i Ponoī, the pronounce it like (HA-vai-E)

@Ollienations Жыл бұрын

Plus we pronounce O’ahu (O-a-HU)

@kyrawaiwaiole9884 2 жыл бұрын

So odd question... I was born and raised in Texas but my father's side is from Hawaii, and my last name is Waiwaiole. I got roasted on social media for mispronouncing my own last name. But it's how I was raised to pronounce it. How is it properly pronounced? Thanks!

@user-sg8kq7ii3y 2 жыл бұрын

I'm no language expert, so I don't know how to properly write pronunciation keys, but you'll pronounce your name, "Vie-vie-oh-lei". So you will say "Wai" like it rhymes with "pie". Only thing you'll use the "v" sound instead of the "w" sound. I'm just curious to know - is Waiwaiole your father's last name? That's a Hawaiian last name, so, if he's your biological father, then I'm very surprised that you were not taught to pronounce it correctly. So are you Native Hawaiian by ethnicity?

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry you got roasted online. Like the comment from C, I believe you use the "v" sound, but I've heard it both ways.

@harrymiram5562 6 ай бұрын

Am no Hawaiiana expert but THINK it's pronounced...Why-why-olay. It also Where the apostrophe (') is placed. So it could be Why-wah-ee-olay. Went to school w/twin sisters & they spelled the last name..."Waiwai'ole"....

@valeriepula3478 2 жыл бұрын

One way to help visitors to with pronounciations of Polynesian words is "remember all vowels are short sounds" like maa-haa- loo. Check it out with other haa- waa ii-an words,

@stevenro872 3 ай бұрын

Glad you know not using the V in your mispronunciation of the 50th state. Please try your best to better using the v. Now living in Japan I find myself fixing the same. Big fan keep up the great videos using the v. Come visit our Halau in Saitama on your next visit.

@runningriot7963 Жыл бұрын

You forgot to mention poke. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it's pronounced kinda like like poh kay, I've heard numerous Americans pronounce it like poh key (like the key to a door).

@HelloFromHawaii Жыл бұрын

Correct. Po-kay

@Kevin-xi6ts 3 ай бұрын

How do you pronounce Spam???

@HelloFromHawaii 2 ай бұрын

Similar to ham.

@ADAtrips 3 жыл бұрын

I have a t shirt that says “I am Norwegian, bet you don’t say my name right”🤔. I laugh when I meet a Hawaiian. They all say their names amazing. (I can not). But, I am thinking of doing a Vlogg on how to. KVALVIK. 🌴🌴Aloha

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

That would be an interesting idea. You should try to make the video.

@arturohull14161 Жыл бұрын

Hella respect to Hawai’i and to all the locals there. I’m a Spanish dude from the Mainland and I got hella respect for Hawai’i.

@thed-spot8083 Жыл бұрын

I just learned Beretania is supposed to be spelled/pronounced as Bereta'nia.. I had to look it up when I heard it on KHON2 news. Kamaka Pili did a good historical short about it.

@HelloFromHawaii Жыл бұрын

Didn't know that. Mahalo for the info 🤙

@SeanShimamoto 11 ай бұрын

Um, not sure if you're serious or kidding, but there's no "b" in the Hawaiian language. 🤦🏽‍♂️

@tritontransport 10 ай бұрын

I think it’s funny when people call Kihei kee he 😂

@kemgreene2293 10 ай бұрын

"Like I have always ssid; if you want to learn any language always begin in kindergarten (sort of say) start by learning the alphabet for letter sounding"!

@kaumingo 3 жыл бұрын

Is the word not spelled māhalo? Very few folks stress the first ā. Why??

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure why. We never learned about the use of the kahako in school.

@faymissk 2 жыл бұрын

I do know how to say the state fish…. Thank you high school musical ;) lol

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

😆

@yardguy00 2 жыл бұрын

Im also from kaneohe.. I think I've heard kaneohi a bunch.. I say it rather quickly and it sounds more like kaneoe . I drop the h Something I'm finding interesting with how we pronounce Hawaii. Ha wa' i. That's not how its spelled. We are dropping an i. It should be ha wai' i.

@a012345 3 жыл бұрын

I said Hilo correctly when I visited but I was corrected by another visitor. Shortly after, it made us both look real stupid. Oh well...

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, just gotta listen to how the locals say it.

@Threewolfs- 2 жыл бұрын

Maaahaaalooo 😜😝🤙🏼❤️🤙🏼

@HelloFromHawaii 2 жыл бұрын

🤙

@karenlschiermeyer3495 3 жыл бұрын

I have a friend who was accidentally pronouncing Kamehameha "kame hame ha" until he heard a local say it

@HelloFromHawaii 3 жыл бұрын

Dragonball reference?

@karenlschiermeyer3495 3 жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii I'm sure that was where he got the impression that was how to say it

@Critique808 3 жыл бұрын

Hawai is Spanish for Hawaii. The Puerto Ricans, Filipinos, and Mexicans might say it that way so it may have added to the pidgin English. Hawai is also short for Hawaii.