Written with the okina, it reads Moloka’i and is pronounced ‘Moh-loh-kah-ee.’Įither pronunciation is acceptable, but often a missing okina will change the meaning of a word. ‘Molokai’ written without the okina, it is pronounced ‘Moh-loh-kai.’ The word Lanai (verandah, porch) with no okina would be pronounced ‘Lah-nigh’, with the okina, it is Lana’i (the island 10 miles south of us) and pronounced ‘Lah-nah-ee.’ The okina is only found between two vowels or at the beginning of a word. How Are We to Speak the Hawaiian Language Correctly. ~ Two consonants never appear next to each other. Much about the Hawaiian language can be discovered through reading the.

~ Every consonant is followed by at least one vowel. The okina indicates a break in the sound when the word is spoken, like the break when you say “uh oh” in English. The Hawaiian language contains only 13 letters, – five vowels, seven consonants and the ‘okina, which is called a ‘glottal stop’ in English. This article will provide a simple introduction to both. While you can visit Molokai knowing and using only English, you will acquire a feeling of “belonging” the more you use Hawaiian and Pidgin words and phrases. Hawaiian Pidgin or Pidgin, also called Hawaii Creole English, developed from the mix of Chinese. While English is the official language in Hawaii, two others will be heard while you are here, Hawaiian and the ever-present Pidgin. The Hawaiian language is one of the two official languages of the state of Hawaii.

How to speak hawaiian pidgin