This site endeavors to be accurate in its use of the Hawaiian language. Therefore, a short explanation of the Hawaiian language is in order to clarify spelling, grammar and pronunciation of Hawaiian words. This primer was prepared by a Marine Science student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Joylynn Oliveira . However, in order to properly view Hawaiian characters on your web browser you first need to download and install Hawaiian fonts . There are thirteen alphabets in the Hawaiian language.
Every letter has only one sound.
The 'okina or glottal stop is only found between two vowels. A break in speech is created between the sounds of the two vowels. The 'okina is written as a backwards apostrophe. The kahak or macron is not found in ka p ' p but is often used in the Hawaiian language. The kahak is always found above a vowel.