I’ve learned from going on Oahu volcano tours that the Hawaiian language is simple but complex. Simple because every syllable ends in a vowel, and as long as you pronounce all the syllables separately, you can’t go wrong. But the language is complex because there are sometimes many different meanings for the same word and the nuances can be subtle and even mysterious. Even the translations of words are not necessarily finite.
I was at the top of Diamond Head Crater overlooking Waikiki and the beautiful tropical waters when my tour guide referred to the waters as “Moana”. Another called them “Kekai”. And yet another native pointed to the water and told me to look at the “Kainalu”.
I was looking at the same view each time, and I was confused. I later found out that “Moana” is the word for ocean, and “Kekai” is the word for sea. “Kainalu” means “the sea wave”.
Tricky tour guides.
Even the name of “Diamond Head” is not what it seems. Originally, this 300,000 year old volcano was called “Le’ahi” which translates roughly to “brow of the tuna” in English. This name was given by ancient Hawaiians because of the silhouette of the volcano as it stretches out to the sea.
Sometime in the 1800’s “Le’ahi” was renamed “Diamond Head” because British sailors were so excited to see what they believed were diamonds glistening in this volcanic land mass. It turned out to just be crystals embedded in the lava, but the name stuck. I believe visiting “Diamond Head Crater” has much more appeal to tourists than visiting the “brow of the tuna”.
Hawaiian is an ancient language and there are many different words used for the same elements of nature. I’ve counted over a100 different Hawaiian words just to describe rain, or 10 different words just to describe a lei. Whether it is a lei given in love or a lei belonging to your grandmother or a lei from your grandfather, the Hawaiian language has a word for these subtle differences in connotation.
Preserving the language of native Hawaii is an important part of the Hawaiian culture, but it can be confusing to visitors. Hawaii is a spiritual place and the meaning of names can be a spiritual endeavor.
Every Hawaiian word has a story and every native who guides you to the top of a Oahu volcano will tell you the words for the beauty that surrounds you. Just remember that the words may change depending on the weather, mood, or circumstance of your visit.
