Hawaii’s Many Languages

A reader wrote with frustration, "A friend asked me how we say 'turtle' in Hawaii.  I said 'TURTLE'!"  This exchange touches on two hot points.  Yes, English is spoken here and, no matter how exotic it looks, this is a part of the United States.  But it is also true that Hawaii has many languages, some official others not so much.

It is irritating for locals to hear visitors who say "back in the United States" as though forgetting they are still in one.  On a tour bus recently, a young woman responded to a question from the tour guide by using Spanish and made a remark about "back in America."  Other queries may be well intentioned but equally off the mark, such as a question on Twitter about living in grass shacks.  People in Hawaii are quite proud of island history but daily life here now includes all the modern "conveniences" — as well as the ability to avoid them if you wish.

It doesn't take long, however, to realize that English is not the only language in common use on the islands.  If you are in Waikiki, it appears that Japanese is a second language.  Signs in small storefronts and even Ala Moana mall are in both English and Japanese as a nod to Hawaii's popularity with visitors from Japan.  That, however, is pretty focused on Honolulu.  Outside "town", two other languages predominate alongside English.  One is the true Hawaiian language.  Once almost lost, it is now taught in schools and is being restored in daily life.  Hawaiian is an official language of the State of Hawaii (since 1978), the only state to recognize a native language.  Many expressions on popular souvenirs are Hawaiian, such as "aloha", "lei", and "mahalo."

The unofficial language of Hawaii is pidgin — something I at first mistook for surfer lingo.  Many have borrowed its colorful terms, which may be appropriate since it developed as a means of cross-cultural communication.  Workers with many different languages (Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese) on early plantations developed a way of talking to one another in a stripped-down vernacular.  "Pau hana" — literally "done work" — as a term for happy hour has pidgin roots.  Many residents of Hawaii who live in rural areas speak pidgin with a strong accent so that it almost sounds like a different language, but rest assured, THEY understand YOU.

Probably what the friend of our frustrated commenter wanted to know is the Hawaiian word for sea turtle, which is "honu" — a popular symbol and protected native species.  Just remember, Hawaiian is an official language but in Hawaii there are many ways of saying the same thing.

Posted by Cindy Scheopner  Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner

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Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Customs, Practices and Pastimes,Fun Stuff,Hawaiiana,How to Hawaii

November 24th, 2009