The Word of the Day is "Honolulu"

Credit: DepositPhotos.com/chrishowey

Aloha mai kākou,

Welcome to our new series, named “2honu Hawaiian Word of the Day”.  Each day, a new word will be shared with you, to help you learn a bit of the Hawaiian language or ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i.  The series will begin with the Hawaiian alphabet, and some rules to help you with proper pronunciation in case you visit the islands, or meet someone with a lengthy Hawaiian name or word. One wrong pronunciation, can change the meaning.  For example: Kālā means money $$$.  Kala could mean a Surgeon or Unicorn fish, and also a screwdriver.  Ka lā means The sun. 

The Hawaiian language consists of 5 vowels, pronounced as the following:

a, like the a in car

e, like the e in men

i, like the y in pretty

o, like the o in hole

u, like the oo in soon

There are 8 consonants:

h   Same as in English

k   Same as in English      

l    Same as in English      

m  Same as in English

n   Same as in English

p   Same as in English

w  After i and e pronounced v

     After u and o pronounced like w

     At the start of a word or after a pronounced like w or v

‘   ‘okina (or a glottal stop or a very fast break). It is usually found before a vowel (such as o’o, 
    like oh oh, or u’u, like oo oo).

There is also a kahakō or a macron, a stress marker used to lengthen a vowel such as ō like ohh, meaning to answer, agree or talk etc.

Now, that we got the important bits explained, our first 2honu word of the day is HONOLULU ( ho-no-lu-lu)  lit. meaning sheltered bay.  Found on the island of ‘O’ahu, Honolulu is the capital of Hawai’i and the most populated of the islands.  The famous Waikīkī beach, Diamond Head Crater, and Pearl Harbor, are just a few famous places, located there. A famous song, I grew up with, was called ‘Honolulu City Lights’ by the Beamer Brothers.  I have fond memories of the place I was born, grew up, and visit once in a while, to share with my children the stories of my childhood.  If you ever visit Honolulu, make sure you go to the Swap Meet at the Stadium, Arizona Memorial, ‘Iolani Palace, Ala Moana, and Waikīkī……

Credit: DepositPhotos.com/sgoodwin4813

A hui hou,

Haunani