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Hawaii Language

English and Hawaiian are the two official state languages in Hawaii. Hawaii language is only spoken by estimated 9 000 people, but 85 % of all local place names are Hawaiian. Hawaii language belongs to a family of languages from central and eastern Polynesia, which includes Hawaiian, Tahitian, Tumotuan, Rarotongan and Maori.

Hawaii's early immigrants communicated with each other in pidgin, a stripped and simplified form of English which survives today as a lively, ever-changing local slang.

Originating in Polynesia, Hawaii language is musical and sensuos. It is so rich in vowels that a face needs to smile to speak. The alphabet of Hawaii language has 5 vowels and 7 consonants. That means, it is the easiest phonetical system of the world's languages.

Many words came from the beauty of nature and joy of life. For example, aloha - the classic greeting of Hawaii - translates as "I recognize in you the breath of life".

The following table lists some common and useful words and phrases of Hawaii language.

Some useful phrases of Hawaii language:

Hawaiian

Pronunciation

English

'ai

aye

yes

aole

ah-oh-lay

no

aloha

ah-low-hah

hello, love, goodbye

Aloha kakahiaka!

ah loh' hah kah' kah hee (y)ah' kah

Good morning!

Aloha `auinala!

ah loh' hah au' (w)ee nah LAH'

Good afternoon!

Aloha ahiahi!

ah loh' HAH' hee (y)ah' hee

Good evening!

Pehea `oe?

peh heh' (y)ah oe'?

How are you?

Maika`i

mai' kah ee

Fine

Maika`i `ole

mai' kah ee oh' leh

Not well

A `o `oe?

ah oh oe'?

And you?

Mahalo!

mah hah' loh

Thank you!

Ka hau`oli na`u.

kah hau' oh lee nah' oo

The pleasure is mine.

E kala mai ia`u

eh kah' lah mai' ee (y)ah' oo

Excuse me / I'm sorry.

`A`ole pilikia.

ah oh' leh pee' lee kee' (y)ah

No trouble/problem.

A hui hou!

ah hui' hou'

Good bye!, See you later!