PUKE WEHEWEHE ʻŌLELOPUKE WEHEWEHE ʻŌLELOUsing the Hawaiian Using the Hawaiian

DictionaryDictionaryHAW 102

Spring 2010

Hawaiian DictionariesHawaiian Dictionaries

Recommended Text:Pūku`i, M.K. & Elbert, S.H. (1986). Hawaiian Dictionary. ISBN 0-8248-0703-0

A Hawaiian Dictionary of Modern Terms:Hale Kuamoʻo. (2003). Māmaka Kaiao. ISBN-13978-0824828035

Caution that some Internet sources are unreliable sources of information as they may contain incorrect information.

Ulukau.org is an excellent online resource for Hawaiian language learning that includes books printed in the Hawaiian language for beginners and those at the intermediate level, as well as reference books such as Place Names of Hawaiʻi.

You may access the Hawaiian Dictionary for free through ulukau.org or go directly to wehewehe.org

•In the first drag down box, select “nā puke wehewehe a pau” or “all dictionaries” to give you more of a choice•Simply type the word in the field•When typing an English word in the field, you must spell it correctly•When typing a Hawaiian word in the field, donʻt worry about the ʻokina or kahakō so that you have a wider choice

PONO E MAKAʻALA!PONO E MAKAʻALA!

Read all of the different meanings

It is important to understand your vocabulary from a Hawaiian viewpoint.

Hawaiian words and English words do not always match perfectly.

Keep in mind that context is very important!

KA PŌʻAIAPILI: ContextKA PŌʻAIAPILI: Context• For example, the word “back” in the

English language has at least 4 different meanings.

• Back in the days of Keoua….. ma mua i ka wā o Keoua• The pen is in back of you. Aia ka peni ma hope ou. • I will back your parents up. E kāko`o wau i kou mau

mākua. • My back is sore. ʻEha koʻu kua.

 

If you use the Hawaiian words strictly from an English viewpoint, your Hawaiian will sound silly to native speakers.

KOHO POLOLEI: Choose KOHO POLOLEI: Choose wiselywisely

• Do not simply take the first word that you see under the definition.

“I threw away my paper”

THROW• Nou• Hoʻolei• Lū• Kiloi

KEKAHI LAʻANA: Another KEKAHI LAʻANA: Another exampleexample“My brother hit

me”HIT

◦Kuʻi◦Paʻi◦Hili◦Kāhewa

KOHO POLOLEI: Choose KOHO POLOLEI: Choose WiselyWisely

NĀNĀ HOU I NĀ PAPA NĀNĀ HOU I NĀ PAPA ʻŌLELO: Review Vocabulary ʻŌLELO: Review Vocabulary

Lists Lists • Thus, please be careful

when using new words to create your sentences or translating homework assignments.

• Check past and present vocabulary lists

• Check new that were given in haʻawina

HŌʻOIA: Double CheckHŌʻOIA: Double CheckWhen using the

dictionary, look at the word from English to Hawaiian and then back again from Hawaiian to English to make sure that you are choosing the correct word for that context.

HOʻOMANAWANUI:HOʻOMANAWANUI: Be patient & persevere Be patient & persevere

Be patientTake your timeDouble-check the

meaning Check vocabulary lists