Hawaiian language has gained, but mispronunciations abound - Ha...

Sometimes we feel like we are making great strides in the perpetuation and correct usage of the Hawaiian language.

[Bogey1]

Good editorial....even in California media professionals mis-pronounce Spanish names and places.

Sportscasters still can't pronounce Oscar De La Hoya correctly.

[Hawaiian Language]

Some remaining issues:

The new "North-South Road" in Kapolei. The most uninspiring name possible. Can't we do better than that?

also,
How do you pronounce Waikele?

[Keoni]

You are so right, Keith. When I was in Hawai'i last year, I flew to Kaua'i and heard several different mispronunciations of its' main town, such as Lahui, Lihui, etc., instead of Lihu'e. And at a certain hostel in Honolulu, there was young lady that referred to Kapiolani Park! I wince each time I hear these, and in the latter interest, I gently asked if I could correct her mangling as it was Kapi'olani - with the 'okina sounded in the name.
Aue, what to do? We need to be a bit more proactive in confronting those who make these errors, paha, and maybe that will persuade them to be more careful and get it right from then on.
Heaha kou mana'o?

[Name]

How about the Brudda Iz Parkway?

Or Kamakawiwoʻole Blvd?

[DWI]

The Ron Menor DWI Road.

[ohana]

Hawaiian Language wrote:

Some remaining issues:
The new "North-South Road" in Kapolei. The most uninspiring name possible. Can't we do better than that?
also,
How do you pronounce Waikele?

Why Kelley??????????

[This]

Saint Damien Miracle Hwy

[Ken Conklin]

Thanks for the article Keith. Now maybe those who are so worried about pronouncing Hawaiian correctly will also worry about pronouncing English correctly? Every child in Hawaii who is a so-called "native speaker" of Hawaiian is also a native speaker of English. Let's see if parents and teachers can get the kids to pronounce English correctly. Indeed,let's see if parents and teachers can get themselves to pronounce English correctly!

[poi]

Ken Conklin wrote:

Thanks for the article Keith. Now maybe those who are so worried about pronouncing Hawaiian correctly will also worry about pronouncing English correctly? Every child in Hawaii who is a so-called "native speaker" of Hawaiian is also a native speaker of English. Let's see if parents and teachers can get the kids to pronounce English correctly. Indeed,let's see if parents and teachers can get themselves to pronounce English correctly!

True.

The only group of people in Hawaii's history who spoke Hawaiian and English most fluently were the Hawaiians of the late 1800s, especially the Ali'i.

Today's immigrants masses merely use a couple dozen Hawaiian words that they've memorized so try to act Hawaiian. They spend their time learning Japanese or Chinese instead.

Things Hawaiian for the immigrant wannabees are just "play dress up" items used in the act.

The dumbest thing I love to watch in Hawaii is a group of mostly Asian immigrants singing Hawaii Ponoi. 99% have no idea what they are actually saying and 99% would not agree with what they are saying if they knew. But they look proud singing that song in a foreign language.

Too funny.

[Terrible Name]

North-South Road is a terrible name. Did we pay someone to come up with that?

Also, I just looked at a map. It doesn't even run north and south.

My choice is Amy Hanaiali'i Road. She wrote the song Palehau, which is nearby.

[no forget]

to bruddah kordell,

it is good that you point out these "flaws" in our everyday speaking but remember too that many of these hawaiian words you are referring to was "pidginized" by many of our immigrants who came to our islands. if we really want to be technical about it, they butchered each others language but in doing so made communication among the population possible.

egs...

wen ( when )
wea (where )
tree ( three )
kepani ( japanese )
pake ( chinese )
portagee ( portugese )
pilapino ( filipino )

and the list goes on and on...

so kordell, quit writing editorials that divide rather than embrace "our" speaking history of hawaii. many of us here is of mixed ancestry and have been tolerant these little toungue flubs..

by the way what nationality are you?, you're wife?,you're family?

check your backyard before you check others! kordell !.......

MELE AI POHAKU

[no forget]

GOOD SONGS TO LISTEN TO REMEMBERING ARE COLORFUL WAY OF SPEAKING IN THE ISLANDS...
"NO HUHU " ALVIN KALEOLANI ISAACS
" PIDGIN ENGLISH HULA " SHIRLEY PILIWALE AKA "VAROA TIKI "

[weasel]

Ken Conklin wrote:

Thanks for the article Keith. Now maybe those who are so worried about pronouncing Hawaiian correctly will also worry about pronouncing English correctly? Every child in Hawaii who is a so-called "native speaker" of Hawaiian is also a native speaker of English. Let's see if parents and teachers can get the kids to pronounce English correctly. Indeed,let's see if parents and teachers can get themselves to pronounce English correctly!

Use Texas, Wisconsin, Alberta, Manitoba, Maine, Biloxi, Bronx, Wales, London, South Africa as the model when speaking english.

[Hanaialii Road]

Terrible Name wrote:

North-South Road is a terrible name. Did we pay someone to come up with that?
Also, I just looked at a map. It doesn't even run north and south.
My choice is Amy Hanaiali'i Road. She wrote the song Palehau, which is nearby.

Amy wrote Palehua.
Nice idea.

[Ainokea]

How about Ainokea Blvd?

Long overdue in my opinion.

[Honolulu Resident]

If you want to hear Hawaiian community names like Waikele pronounced correctly, take a ride on TheBus, and listen to Puakea Nogelmeyer's voice making the announcements. His Hawaiian pronunciation if flawless.

[DaBus]

Honolulu Resident wrote:

If you want to hear Hawaiian community names like Waikele pronounced correctly, take a ride on TheBus, and listen to Puakea Nogelmeyer's voice making the announcements. His Hawaiian pronunciation if flawless.

True.

Is there an easier way?

[Honolulu Resident]

No forget. I think you are confusing Pidgin with Hawaiian. Mr. Haugen's commentary was about Hawaiian language, not Pidgin. I believe his nationality is American as I know he is a U.S. Army veteran.

[big deal]

i say haywhyee and you say huhvaiee

[Poi]

What is even more obnoxious than someone simply mispronouncing a Hawaiian word is when someone uses the Hawaiian Language having no idea what they are saying.

Hawaii Pono'i
Hawaii Aloha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Searh www.youtube for Sugar Bowl Hawaii Ponoi and don't laugh to hard.(if you know what they are singing which most of you won't)