HO‘OKELE WA‘A — Wayfinding The ancestors of the Hawaiian people were skilled navigators and voyagers who sailed across the Pacific Ocean for thousands of years in wa‘a kaulua (double-hulled canoes). The stars, wind, ocean currents and other signs of nature were their only compasses. Today, these traditions continue to be taught to new generations. Since its maiden voyage to Tahiti in 1976, the crew of the Hōkūle‘a voyaging canoe has traveled around the globe using only traditional Polynesian techniques. Their incredible journeys are a worldwide symbol of sustainability, indigenous knowledge and the triumph of the human spirit. For more cultural information, visit Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association at NaHHA.com or view HTA’s Hawai‘i Style & Resource Toolkit here. KALO — Taro (Hawaiian Staple Starch) Kalo (taro) is a staple plant of the Hawaiian diet and is considered the source of life for Native Hawaiian people. Traditionally grown in lo‘i, a system of irrigated ponds or dryland terraces, legends speak of kalo as the ancestor of the Hawaiian race. This familial relationship is the foundation for mālama ‘āina — take care of the land as it takes care of you. The kalo root is the base of poi (pounded taro) and many other dishes. The leaves are used to make laulau (wrapped meal) and lū‘au (type of stew). Today, you’ll also find kalo in everything from crispy chips and poi doughnuts to açaí bowls made with pa‘i‘ai (freshly pounded kalo). FARMING K ALO ( TARO) MARINE NAVIG ATION TOOL S HAWAIIAN DICTIONARY The Language of Hawai‘i The two official languages of Hawai‘i are Hawaiian (‘ōlelo Hawai‘i) and English. The Hawaiian language is of Polynesian descent with a total of 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 oh’s in oh-oh, and is a consonant. The ‘okina and kahakō (¯), or macron, change the pronunciation and meaning of a word. Some vowels are diphthongs, forming a single sound as in “ai” in Kailua. 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. The vowels are pronounced: • a like a in above • ā like a far • e like e in bet • ē like ay in pay • i like y in city • ī like ee in see 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: to go, to walk 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 • 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 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: quick, fast LEARN MORE 800-GoHawaii 7
