The Hawaiian language contains 13 letters: A, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, U, W and the ʻokina (‘). The ʻokina is a glottal stop like the sound between the ohs in oh-oh and is considered a consonant. The kahakō or macron (–) is placed over a vowel to prolong the sound. The ʻokina and kahakō are often used to help clarify pronunciation.

The following are some common Hawaiian words you may see or hear in Hawaiʻi:

Aloha: Hello, goodbye, love
E komo mai: Welcome
Hāna hou: Do it again, encore
Haole: White person, foreigner
Kama‘āina: Hawaiʻi born or long time Hawaiʻi resident
Kāne: Man
Kapu: Forbidden, keep out
Keiki: Child or children
Lua: Bathroom
Mahalo: Thank you
Makai: Toward the ocean. A common way of giving directions.
Mauka: Toward the mountains. A common way of giving directions.
Ohana: Family
Pāʻū: Finished
Wāhine: Woman

Due to limitations in displaying the Hawaiian diacritical markings accurately on various computer operating systems and to ensure integrity of the information, the ʻokina and kahakō used in Hawaiian words have been excluded from all copy that appears on this website.

However, in all printed materials, HVCB recognizes the proper spelling of Hawaiian words and names including the use of the ʻokina (‘) and the kahakō (line over the vowel).

Please click here to visit the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority's Ma‘ema‘e Tool Kit, with more information on the use of the Hawaiian language, its alphabet, image and style guidelines, and additional  educational resources.

For more information on the Hawaiian language online, visit the following sites:

• Wehewehe.org
• Ulukau.org
• ‘Aha Pūnana Leo