It’s Aukake!
E Komo Mai to Aukake (ah-oo-ka-key) – August!
This month is sweet – from Original Hawaiian Chocolate to the Soul of a Woman from Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals. A delicious (wow) pesto sauce from Kumu Farms on Moloka’i and artwork from a treasured gallery along the sea side town of Kailua-kona. A few MORE amazing coffee companies Haole Boy Coffee and Al’s – both from the Big Island Hawaii and one of a kind pottery from Gordon Moto. There is not a better product than one that is really made in Hawaii.
About Hawaii
The Hawaiian language was not a written language until it was recorded by the early missionaries, who devised a simple written structure with only 13 letters – 5 vowels and 8 consonants. More complex sounds were ignored or lost.
| Hawaiian Vowels | Hawaiian Consonants |
| a = ah (as in can)e = ay (not ee – as in laid)
i = ee (as in keep) o = oh ( as in coca cola) u = oo (as in coop, not cup) |
H, K, L, M, N, P are mostly pronounced as in English; and W has a soft V sound.
A ‘ indicates a missing letter (as in oh-oh) A line over a vowel shows a longer sound. Emphasize the next-to-last syllable. |
Practice saying the names of the islands (Hawai’i, Maui, O’ahu, Moloka’i, Kaua’i, Lana’i and Ni’ihau. Next repeat the names of towns such as Hilo, Kona, Waimea, Honoka’a and Kealakekua. Then Holualoa, Kawaihae and Pu’uhonua Honauanau and even Anaeho’omalu can just roll off your tongue.
As you drive around Hawai’i, notice the names of villages, volcanoes and churches etc – and use a Hawaiian dictionary to try to “catch” their meanings. Most longer Hawaiian words are a series of much shorter words – Waikaloa for example becomes Wai-ka-loa or water – sun – big.
For more on the Hawaiian Language, including words and phrases click here.
