Aloha e ka poe haumana olelo Hawaii,

This week I want to talk about a well-known Hawaiian phrase: "Nana ka maka, hoolohe ka pepeiao, paa ka waha," which means "Observe with the eyes; listen with the ears; shut the mouth." The translation for the last line is key, and it always makes me laugh.

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Aloha Makahiki Hou!

Welcome back! I hope you all had enjoyable moments with your friends and family over the holidays.

You might have noticed various posts on social media using different Hawaiian phrases to wish people a Happy New Year. If you're curious, you might have wondered, "Why are...

Aloha kakou,

This will be the last email for this year so let’s make it a good one.

I’ve never been one to participate in the clique of “New Year's Resolutions,” but I Believe in the value of setting goals. As the new year approaches, I hope you are reflecting on your...

Aloha mai,

For those who know me, holidays aren't my cup of tea. Halloween costumes seem ridiculous, Thanksgiving's "thankful" ceremony feels insincere, and Christmas music is a pain to my ears. If you're thinking, "This guy is a Grinch," well, my wife already beat you to it.

Despite my distaste...

E hoomanao i ka la kuokoa

—Remember Hawaiian Independence Day

Aloha,

This month some of you have responded to me with your translations of different newspaper clippings and I have truly enjoyed providing my feedback. Your energy and commitment inspire me—keep that fire burning!...

Aloha,

The traditional Hawaiian in the newspapers from 1834-1948 is different from what you are seeing today at schools, on street signs and on social media (something I strongly disagree with). This makes it difficult for Hawaiians today to understand their kupuna.

There are no glottal stop...

Aloha mai,

If you are just starting out, vocabulary is going to be a major focus. Learning to identify words is easier than some believe. Why do I say that?

In English, the word “live” changes depending on the context, such as living or lived. What’s great about Hawaiian is that...

Aloha,

This week, I took my son to school. Each day, there is a question on the whiteboard. Today's question was, “How many pumpkins and gourds are on the table?” Just outsied was a table that had pumpkins and gourds on it. Given that my son can't read yet, I started to explain the...

Aloha e ka poe puni i ka heluhelu,

(Greetings avid readers)

I've previously mentioned this reading resource, and this month, I'll guide you on how to navigate it effectively, learn from it, understand what to be aware of, and see its immense value. At the very least, I want you to open...

Aloha e ko'u poe heluhelu,

Something that most teachers of Hawaiian don’t know of or don’t talk about is blending. It is essential to developing authentic sounding Hawaiian found among Native speakers. The ONLY way you’re going to develop this, is if you listen to them.

The...

Aloha mai! Pehea mai nei oukou?

Recently, I conducted a presentation for a diverse group, including several newcomers to Hawaii, particularly military families who will relocate soon. They approached me afterward with a common question: "Would you prefer us to make an effort to pronounce these...

Aloha,

On my first visit to the island of Niihau, I was part of a group of master's students (I had no degree at that time). During our trip, I recall moments when students would converse with a native speakers. However, when these students used certain words, the native speakers appeared...