A, B, C, D, E, F, G . . .

Oops! Not when it comes to the Hawaiian alphabet.

There are seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, and w) and five vowels in the Hawaiian alphabet. The following information is taken from this site:

www.alohafriendsluau.com/words.html

Pronunciation of the stressed vowels are as follows:

a - ah, as in car: aloha

e - a, as in may: nene

i - ee, as in bee: honi

o - oh, as in so: mahalo

u - oo, as in spoon: kapu

There are unstressed vowels as well:

a - a, as in about: ali`i

e - eh, as in met: kane

Did you know that in the Hawaiian language, a consonant is always followed by a vowel? So, every word ends in a vowel!

Another interesting point, is the pronunciation of “w.” It is pronounced like a “v” in our alphabet. Try that with Hawaii. Now you sound like a native!!

Notice the apostrophe in the word ali’i (above)? It means you add a slight pause. So: ah-lee-ee. Now you’ve really got it!

Visit the web site above to see discover lots of Hawaiian words—and practice saying them!

A note of my own—I’ve found when there is not an apostrophe between the vowels, they kind of melt together. Can you pronounce the names of some of my characters in my series, The Hawaiian Island Detective Club?

Leilani Akamai, Maile Onakea, Kimo Akamai,

and Kainoa Onakea

How about this one? It’s Hawaii’s state fish:

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

Check the site if you need help!

See you on Monday! I think I’ll share a bit about my “wall clinging” roommate in Hawaii . . . Hmmm . . .