Kaua‘i’s Festivals Join residents and visitors in season- al celebrations of Kaua‘i’s culture and abundance. You’ll have fun and learn how to take some of the Kaua‘i spirit home with you. From crafts to coconuts, Kaua’i celebrations are colorful, entertaining and amusing for all ages. For a list of annual and ongoing events including farmers markets, community markets and other fun activi- ties, visit kauaifestivals.com. The Language of Hawai‘i The two official languages of Hawai‘i are ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian) and English. The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian dialect with 13 letters in its alphabet: A, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, U, W and the ‘okina (‘). The ‘okina is a glottal stop, like the sound between the ohs in oh-oh, and is a consonant. The ‘okina and kahakō ( ˉ ), or macron, change the pronunciation and meaning of a word. The Hawaiian language has 18 sounds: • a like a in above • ā like a in far • e like e in bet • ē like ay in pay • i like y in city • ī like ee in see • o like o in low • ō like o in sole • u like oo in hoot • ū like oo in moon • he, ke, la, mu, nu, pi, we and w with a v sound Some vowels are diphthongs, forming a single sound as in “ai” in Waimea. In general, the consonants are pronounced as in English with the exception of w. W can be either a v or a w sound, but it’s best to take direction from locals. A few words you should know: ‘Āina: land; that which feeds us Aloha: a reciprocal greeting of affection; hello, good-bye and so much more Hele or holoholo: travel Kahuna: priest, minister, expert in any traditional practice Kama‘āina: native-born, resident Kāne: man Kapu: prohibited; no trespassing; sacred Keiki: child; children Kōkua: help Kuleana: responsibility, privilege Kupuna: ancestor, grandparent or elder Lei: a garland given for any occasion; traditionally flowers, seeds, shells, nuts, feathers and various forms of foliage Mahalo: thank you; respect Ma kai: toward the ocean Ma uka: toward the mountains Mālama: to take care of; protect; preserve ‘Ohana: family ‘Ono: delicious Pau: finished Wahine: woman Wikiwiki or ‘āwīwī: fast Hawaiian Dictionary: hilo.hawaii.edu/wehe DISCOVER Kaua‘i KAINANI KAHAUNAELE PERFORMING BEN ONO 72 Experience Kaua‘i
