Hawaiian Language and Alphabet
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The Hawaiian language is poetic and expressive with a vocabulary of some 25,000 words. Before the arrival of the “white” man, communication in Hawai’i consisted of the spoken word either through talking, singing, or chanting.
The Hawaiian alphabet
The Hawaiian alphabet, as identified and put in writing by the early missionaries, consists of five vowels and seven consonants plus thehamzah or glottal stop (‘okina or ‘u’ina) which is usually typed as an apostrophe or a single initial quotation mark. The macron (kahako or mekona), a straight, horizontal line over certain vowels denotes the proper pronunciation and meaning of the words. Placed over a vowel, it causes the sound to be lengthened or stressed. This changes the meaning of the word as well as its pronunciation. A word is misspelled if either the ‘u’ina or kahako are omitted. (We apologize for any inconsistencies or missing ‘okinas or kahakos in this publication.)
Hawaiian as a World Language
The Hawaiian language is rich in words describing nature and family relationships. The Puku’i-Elbert English-Hawaiian gives, for example, 63 entries of Hawaiian words for the word palapala (document), for aha’aina (feast) 23 entrees, hale (house) 133 and for ua (rain) 64 entries. A prominent linguist has suggested that Hawaiian would be preferable to Esperanto or English as a world language because of its simple sound system, simple grammar, yet rich vocabulary.
Oral Language
Without a written language, messages sent by the chiefs were carried by swift runners along the trails between villages and districts, and by canoe to the other islands. The messages were carried orally or sometimes by means of symbolic objects, and these couriers of ancient times traveled with great speed.
The women also had their means of sending messages by pounding the tapa using wooden mallets on a log. These messages could carry a distance of several miles, or even around the island by relay.
The sounds of the temple drum informed the listeners about temple activities. Different sound effects, thus different messages, were produced according to the manner in which the drum was struck with the hands. The arrival of visitors, whether coming over land or sea, was heralded by the blowing of the conch shell.
The culture of Hawai'ian people, along with that of the rest of the Polynesians is unique primarily due to isolation of the islands. A scholar once wrote that...
Books On Hawaiian Culture...Links to the Past: The Work of Early Hawaiian Artisans
Manufacturer: Univ of Hawaii Pr
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Description : The work of Hawaiian artisans at the time of Western contact was woven seamlessly into their everyday lives and culture--the details of which are now lost. Although we can no longer comprehend the objects left to us with the same depth of understanding as early Hawaiians, we can appreciate their aesthetic qualities and the skill used in their construction, particularly when numerous pieces of the same type are viewed together. Links to the...Read More
Plants in Hawaiian Culture (Kolowalu Books)
Manufacturer: Univ of Hawaii Pr
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Description : This introduction to the ethnobotany of the Hawaiian culture before contact with foreigners describes the plants themselves, preparation and uses of plant materials, and how the plants and artifacts made from them were used as food, canoes, houses, wearing apparel, musical instruments, medicine, and in fishing, games and sports, war, religion, and burial. Flat reproduction diminishes the 98 black & white photos offering both habitat and detailed...Read More
Resource Units in Hawaiian Culture
Manufacturer: Kamehameha Schools Press
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Description : A favorite reference for Hawaiian studies students, teachers, scholars and others interested in increasing their knowledge and appreciation of Hawaiian culture.Read More
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- Oahu
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- Maui
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- Kauai
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- Hawaii
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The Big Island offers a variety of hiking choices for the beginner as well as the experienced hiker. You can hike up to the edge of mountains and volcanic...
The Big Island offers a wide variety of camping choices... from the black lava rock, to the lush tropics of the eastern shore, to the sandy beaches of...
- Molokai
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- Lanai
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