I would suggest starting out with words you might be familiar with such as:  luau, Hawai’i, aloha, Maui, and O’ahu. It will give you a good footing and you can refer back to those if you get stuck.

Let’s start with the eight consonants:

• h
• k
• l
• m
• n
• p
• w
• ‘

Vowels are pronounced like they are in Spanish with “clean” sounds without sliding into the next vowel:

• a = like “ah”
• e = like “ay as in “hay”
• i = like “ee as in eerie”
• o = like”oh”
• u = like “oo as in goo”

With the “w” consonant, it is generally spoken as a soft “w” after o and u but can also be pronounced as a “v” after i and e, but you can defer to the locals when in question. For an example, the island name, “Kaho’olawe” will sound as (Kaho’olaVe). You will start to hear the words over and over. Have fun and enjoy learning a new language. You can add this to your “resume” of languages spoken, Hawaiian.

The final consonant ‘ just means your breath stops briefly. An example, the way you pronounce “oh-oh”.

For a little practice, try these common words and phrases.

Words

mahalo – thank you

kane – mam

wahine – woman

lu’au – Hawaiian feast

a hui hou – until we meet again

ma uka – toward the sea

keiki – child

pupu – appetizer

Hilo – twisted

Honolulu – protected bay

Kona – leeward

O’ahu – gathering place

Waimea – reddish water

Phrases

Good morning – Ah-LOW-ha Ka-ka-he-AH-ka – Aloha kakahiak

How are you? – Pe-HEH-ah OH-eh? – Pehea ‘oe?

Good evening – Ah-LOW-ha AH-hee-AH-hee – Aloha ahiahi

I am fine – MY-kye – Maikai

I love you – Ah-LOW-ha Ah-oo EE-ah OH-ee – Aloha au ia oe

Merry Christmas – MAY-leh Kah-LEE-kee-MA-ka – Mele Kalikimaka

Now try this. Aloha a hui hou kakou!(Farewell until we meet again!)…