If you haven't been to Maui before, chances are you will have a hard time pronouncing all the words that are going to be tossed your way as soon as your feet hit Maui. Don't worry as this happens to everyone. But, you can get a good grasp of Hawaiian pronunciations by correctly saying each golf course name.
Makena- Muh-ken-uh...not mack-een-uh...not muh-keen-uh
Wailea- Y-lay-uh...not Y-lee-uh...not Y-may-uh (Waimea is actually on the Island of Oahu)
Elleair- L-E-air
Kahili- Ka-he-lee...not Kuh-hill-ee...not Kuh-lee-hee
Pukalani- Poo-kuh-lah-nee...not Puck-uh-laney
Ka'anapali- Ka-ahna-pah-lee...not Can-nippley (Yes, we have heard that one)
Kapalua- Kah-pah-lew-uh...not Cap-uh-lew-uh
So, those are the golf course names. How about some city names.
Kahului- Kah-who-lewey...not Kah-ha-lewey
Kihei- Key-hay...not Key-high
Lahaina- Luh-high-nuh...not Luh-hay-nuh...not Luh-hee-nuh
Hana- Ha-na...not Han-uh
Waiehu- Y-eh-who
Napili- Na-pee-lee...not Na-pill-ee
No worries if you can't pronounce it, we hear all types of mispronunciations day in and day out and eventually we get the gist of what you want and will be willing to help you out.
Now, try this one on for size...Humuhumunukunuku apua'a.
(hint) Its the state fish.
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