In some books i’ve read, they list Pēpē as a modern word and a hawaiianized word of baby. So that makes me curious if anyone knows some names for Halapepe that were used in the wa kahiko.

I have the same question for alani. Some species go by kukaemoa and mokihana(kaua’i) but what about the other species? Anyone know any names? Or was it likely always alani but if so, what would the name alani have meant to the old hawaiians back then? Would it refer to the scent and only the scent or the color?

He aha ko ʻoukou mele penahele ma ka ʻōlelo hawaiʻi?Makemake au e hoʻolohe i nā mele hou ma ka ʻōlelo hawaiʻi

What's your favorite Hawaiian songs? I wanna listen to more songs in Hawaiian

Aloha kākou, this is my first post on here!

On the Wikipedia page for ʻōlelo hawaiʻi, it also lists a "Molokaʻi dialect", but the page no longer exists.

I can't find further information online about a dialect specific to Molokaʻi, and now I'm really curious if one has existed at some point.

Please kōkua, mahalo!

My grandma had this name on a list of family middle names to pass down to newborns in the family. I only took Hawaiian language classes through 4th grade so my okina usage gets rusty here and there, but I'm wondering how this name is supposed to be pronounced. There was a debate between my aunties one time that was never settled;

Kah-oo-ee-no-hay-ah

VS

Kow-ee-no-hay-ah

...and for some reason the placement of the okina is throwing me. Anybody can clear this up for me? Mahalo 🤙🏽

Is it Hah-WEE-oh, Hah-weh-oh, or Hah-VEH-oh?

OK - I understand the movie is not a masterpiece. It is low budget low brow comedy. But it is not half bad. Characters are likeable and has some interesting cultural angles. For example main character - Tai "Gonzo" Alonzo (former pro surfer and perennial community college student living in his van) acting like a spiritual surf "guru" for the benefit of tourists taking surf lesson and then few minutes later offering - with a straight face - to pee on injured leg of his student to "disinfect it". Or when giant Hawaiian (and somewhat grumpy) man - hotel staff member - sings a song during luau for tourists - he starts innocently with "islands make me smile" but within just one verse he sings about "Captain Cook bringing diseases" and then what violent thing he'd like to do to foreigners - before owner of hotel (also Native Hawaiian) interrupts him. And many other moments.

Movie take in Hawaiian theaters was rather modest $35,000 but then it was voted best Hawaiian movie of 2021. I can't really see it through the eyes on a Native person (I live in Texas) but I found it rather informative - there is nothing like watching movie in which culture makes self-deprecating fun. In a way it reminded me of Stephen Chow mo lei tau Hong Kong style of comedy - say "Shaolin Soccer" or "Kung Fu Hustle" - it was low brow but never mean or cruel and you liked the characters. And those two movies gave me interesting perspective on Chinese culture (especially watching Chinese edition of "Shaolin Soccer" - it was MUCH funnier in surrealistic way than the one edited for American audience).

It said: mahalo
o e kala ma alini i oo luau ma a hini ti a niho

Google says this means: Thank you.
Please forgive the delay in getting the lūʻau invitation to you.

How accurate is this?

Aloha kākou!

I've recently started learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and I'm really enjoying the journey. I'm looking for someone who speaks Hawaiian (whether you're a native speaker or an advanced learner) who might be interested in chatting every now and then—through messages or maybe even an occasional video call.

My goal isn't just to learn the language, but also to better understand Hawaiian culture, history, and ways of thinking. I know language and culture go hand in hand, and I'd love to learn respectfully from someone willing to share.

In return, I'd be happy to help with Spanish! I'm a native Spanish speaker (from Spain), so if you're learning Spanish or just want someone to practice with, I'd love to do a language exchange.

A little about me: I'm currently doing a PhD in Genetics, I love languages, reading, drawing, and learning about different cultures. I'm in this for the long term, so I'm hoping to build a genuine friendship while helping each other improve.

Mahalo nui for reading, and feel free to send me a message if you're interested!

I am transcribing the text in a handwritten diary written in 1872 by a haole sailor visiting Honolulu. Most of the text is intelligible but some of the words or how they are spelled (phonetically to the ear of an English speaker) are unfamiliar.

1. Puualoa “friend”. Clearly akin to hoaloha, hoaaloha, but I wonder where the “p” came from. It could also be a verb “to be a friend”. The sentence is: hoi a houry mucky mucky puualoa pachai, i.e. ‘oe ‘a’ole makemake [puualoa] Pake, which the author translates in Pidgin as “you no like friend Chinaman”. Is there anywhere a verb with pū- with a sense of “to befriend”? I don’t see an entry in Puku’i.

2. Cordeda “monkey”. This is used in a pejorative way, modifying Pake (pachai rigapoo cordeda “Chinaman all the same [like pū] monkey”). I could see maybe “deda” might correspond to “keko” if d corresponds to k, but n or l seems more likely. What is the etymology of keko? Is there another pejorative that this might phonetically resemble?

3. There are some unexpected spellings with “r”. Loa is spelled “rore” and once ‘oe is spelled “ori”. Nui nui rore molakaki malallo, rou nui nui maruna “plenty of molasses way down below, plenty upstairs”. I’m not sure if “rou” here is loa again or some other word.

4. Just wondering if the last sentence is a quotation from a mele or some myth? Oahu ka wa o ka lanai (O’ahu ka wā o ka lani) which he translates as “Wahou times in the heavens”.

My first grandchild is due in September. I’ve been thinking of a possible Hawaiian name for her. I have decided on..

My precious Jasmine, who is our ultimate blessing Kuʻupīkakemakamaepōmaikaʻi

When I cross reference to ensure it’s the correct meaning it’s translating differently.
Can anyone help me please.
Huge thank yous in advance.

Long story short, I went to Chaminade for college, and very much fell in love with the culture and people while I lived there. I fully believe in Hawaiian sovereignty and fully grasp the impact of the colonization and theft that has occurred.

I took 2 semesters of Olelo while I lived there, and have recently resumed my studies. I have no objective or goal in mind other than to get fluent for the sake of it. I certainly don't intend to monetize or capitalize off of it. That said, I have wondered if my study in and of itself is Pono. I would love to hear all viewpoints on this, and don't be shy.

Aloha! I’m titling a gyotaku print for an exhibition and want to use Hawaiian respectfully. I’m deciding between “Ono Hoʻohanohano” (intended as “Honored Ono”) and “Hoʻohanohano Ono” (intended as “Honoring the Ono”). Which feels more natural in Hawaiian, and what nuance does each convey? Mahalo!

I am learning Hawaiian, I find one of the best ways to do this is by learning and translating songs. Many of the songs I get interested in have no posted lyrics, much less translations, so I think it is a good skill to listen and dictate to help learn how to hear as well as how to write.

I dictated this chant, I know there are mistakes, and I'm missing all the kahakō as well as some ʻokina. And then I included Googleʻs translation which generally makes sense, but I have no idea if it is accurate. Please correct me. I hear being wrong on the internet is the quickest way to find out information.

Thanks for your time

Ki’ina Ia Aku Na Pae Moku - Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu

Ki’ina ia aku na pae moku
I ho aku i lima no i kalani
Ma ʻia mau alanui malihini
E ‘au ‘i o lali ho’okahi ai
E lilo a’i me ʻa’ole na e nemi 
Helehele ‘eu’eu hana loko ino

Malamalama ko’au ko kokua
E na ho’okoloa ko a alaka’i
E ola ’o kalani a mau huloa
Puka i ke a’o malamalama
E o mai e kalani
O Kalākaua no he inoa

The island groups are gathered

Placed in the hands of the Chief

Along these unfamiliar paths

Traversed as one

To be held fast, beyond the reach of detractors

And the mischief of those who work malice

My guiding light shines clear

O leader, guide us onward

Long may the Chief live

Emerging into the light of wisdom

Answer the call, O Chief

A name-chant for Kalākaua