Guess what! It's Monday.. and you know what that means!

...'Ōlelo Hawai'i!!

If you haven't read 'Ōlelo Hawaii #1 and/or 'Ōlelo Hawaii #2, go ahead and catch up before continuing so you understand the basics.

I'll refresh your palate with the Hawaiian Alphabet & pronunciation...

A ... [pronounced: ah]

E ... [pronounced: a]

I ... [pronounced: e]

O ... [pronounced: oh]

U ... [pronounced: ooh]

'Okina (glottal stop) [pronounced: oh-key-na]

Kahakō (macron) [pronounced: kah-ha-ko]

H ... [pronounced: he or hey]

K ... [pronounced: ke or kay]

L ... [pronounced: la]

M ... [pronounced: mu or moo]

N ... [pronounced: nu or new]

P ... [pronounced: pi or pee]

W ... [pronounced: we or vay]

Are you getting used to saying Ah, A, E, Oh, Ooh, 'Okina, Kahakō, He [hay], La, Mu, Nu, Pi [p], We [vay] yet?

Let's learn more vocabulary...

a [ah] - and (with verbs and sentences)
aloha [ah-low-ha] - love, hello, goodbye
'ekolu [ehh-koh-loo] - three
hale [haw-lay] - house, building
haole [how-lay] - white person, English, American, foreign
haumana [how-mon-uhh] - student
hau'oli [how-oh-lee] - happy
hou [ho] - new, again
ia [yah] - he, she, it (see 'o ia below)
i'a [ee-ah] - fish
inoa [e-no-uh] - name
ka [kah] - the
kahiko [kah-he-ko] - old
kaikamahine, kaikamāhine (pl.) [kuh-eye-kah-ma-he-nay]  - girl
kaumaha [kow-ma-ha] - sad, heavy
ke [kay] - the
keiki [kay-key] - child
keiki kāne [kay-key kaw-nay] - boy
kona [ko-nah] - his, her
kou [ko-ooh] - your
ko'u [ko-ooh] - my
kula [koo-la] - school
kumu [koo-moo] - teacher
li'ili'i [lee-e-lee-e] - small
lole [low-lay] - clothes, dress, cloth
mahalo [ma-ha-low] - to thank, to admire
mai'a [my-ah] - banana
maika'i [my-kuh-e] - good
manu [ma-new] - bird
mea [may-ah] - thing, person
momona [mo-moan-ah] - fat, sweet, fertile
mu'umu'u [moo-ooh-moo-ooh] - Hawaiian dress
nō [noh] - indeed; emphatic marker
'o [oh] - nominative marker
'o ia [oy-yah] - he, she
ʻōlelo [oh-lay-low] - to speak, to say
ʻōlelo Hawai'i [oh-lay-low, huhh-vuh-e] - Hawaiian Language; to speak Hawaiian
'olu'olu [oh-loo-oh-loo] - kind, pleasant, cool, comfortable, nice, charming
'ono [oh-no] - delicious
Pākē [pah-kay] - Chinese
peni [peh-nay] - pencil
pepa [pay-pah] - paper
puke [poo-kay] - book
wai [v'eye] - who (only in questions)
wīwī [vee-vee] - thin

Idioms & Phrases 

A hui hou [ah-who-e-hoe] - Goodbye (lit. until we meet again)
A hui hou aku nō ah-who-e-hoe-ah-koo-no] - Goodbye indeed (in reply)
E 'olu'olu 'oe [ay-oh-loo-oh-loo-oy] - Please (lit. be nice)
'O wai kou inoa? [oh-w'eye-ko-ee-no-ah] - What (lit., who) is your name?


We still haven't jumped into the basic mechanical or technical side of things yet, but we will in due time. If you're into this and truly are attempting to catch a little ʻōlelo Hawai'i, keep practicing spelling words verbally (in Hawaiian), and pronouncing everything correctly, and try to memorize the vocabulary.

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Wow guys. Has it really been almost a month since my last 'Ōlelo Hawai'i post!?

Let's get back into it by brushing up on our vocabulary, shall we? Knowing your vocabulary is crucial and can assist in conversation even if you're not fluent. My third grade teacher used to make us write our vocab words five-times each -- then write the appropriate definitions five-times each as well. I cringe thinking about it; however, I should also thank her because man does that method work for me!

Hawai'i has a lot of special cultural stations and shows for all to enjoy, and a favorite is "Hot Hawaiian Nights," which is on every Friday evening. This show spot-lights local entertainment, and it's great to have on when you're cooking or eating dinner with family and friends.

Over the weekend, my family and I were of course watching some of it, and my Dad asked me what they were saying in one of the all-Hawaiian mele's or songs. I laughed almost embarrassed as I realized I have been taking papa 'Ōlelo Hawaii classes for roughly two months now, which is about eight classes! Shouldn't I have known what they were saying? Shouldn't I be able to converse?

I didn't, and I can't. Yet. But I will! I'll also be the first to admit I have been slacking in my 'Ōlelo Hawaii big time. So this post is not only for you, but for me, too. ..Because I need to get back on board.

'ae - yes
aha - what (only in questions)
akamai - smart
'a'ole - no
au - I
e - vocative marker
'ekahi - one (only in counting)
'elua - two
ha'awina - lesson, assignment, homework
he - a, an
'īlio - dog
ka'a - car
kanaka - person, guy (singular, refers to males only)
kānaka - persons, guys (plural, refers to either sex)
kāne - man
kēia - this
kēlā - that (distant)
kēnā - that (near addressee, listener)
kolohe - rascal, mischievous
loa - very
mau - plural marker
mo'o - gecko, lizard
nani - pretty
noho - chair; to sit, to live (i.e., to dwell), to say
nui - big, large, great

We haven't jumped into the technical (basic) side of things yet, but we will..eventually! If you're into this and truly are attempting to catch a little ʻōlelo Hawai'i, keep practicing spelling words verbally (in Hawaiian) and try to memorize the vocabulary above.

PS: Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup recently purchased her domain--congrats! I'm a huge advocate for this as most of you already know from this post. Anyway, make sure you visit her website now since she was experiencing some technical difficulties and even I wasn't receiving her updates. The simplest solution is to unfollow and refollow. Do it now--everything is back to normal, so you'll get behind on awesome giveaways. Like the one she's hosting right now... A $25 voucher toward Erin Condren products that ends 10/20 so go check out her post, or click on her button so you can maybe win! 

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If you are a reader and haven't yet followed me via Google Friend Connect located on the top right of my Blog's Sidebar, please do so! Following, Subscribing, or commenting on my Blog is the biggest compliment you can give! 

This year marks the second year my precious Goddaughter has been enrolled in the Hawaiian Immersion program here on Maui. The program is gaining popularity every year it seems, and it is a blessing to see so many people passionate about their children learning and living the beautiful Hawaiian culture.

Nā Kula Kaiapuni O Maui: The Hawaiian Immersion Schools ensure students achieve the "Hawai'i Content and Performance Standards" like all other public schools; however the content and means of delivery are based on traditional Hawaiian knowledge and perspective.

So far the program is K-5, but hopefully will continue by the time Healani reaches fifth grade. The entire time my Goddaughter is in school with her classmates they are learning and speaking the Hawaiian language. Thankfully, there is also an after school tutoring program available for the children to learn formal English as well.

It is encouraged, if parents don't already speak Hawaiian 'Ōlelo to learn in order to support their children in development and at home. I am so blessed to be part of this program with my friends and Goddaughter... Every Monday evening the adults are taught and about three weeks ago commenced my first class!

The caption above essentially translates to: My name is Jennifer, What is your name? These two books are crucial to learning the Hawaiian language, and this is the same curriculum taught at the University of Hawai'i!

I'd like to start publishing weekly posts; however, I really don't want to come across as if I'm teaching the language--I am by all means a beginner! How about I simply post my notes from class and go from there?

At the very least, I will be reiterating what I learned, helping me memorize the information, and you, well, perhaps you will learn to pronounce everyday basic Hawaiian words--which will be excellent if you ever find yourself in Hawai'i!!




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If you are a reader and haven't yet followed me via Google Friend Connect located on the top right of my Blog's Sidebar, please do so! Following, Subscribing, or commenting on my Blog is the biggest compliment you can give! 

As you know from this post I am catching up on everything that has been happening in my world to date... I love recapping because it really is like re-living the fun experiences.

In Part I, I briefly discussed the recent little people in my life, how chocolate cannot get us pregnant, and the excitement I had when I received a Kokua Japan shirt! I concluded with Twitter highlights regarding OBL's death...nothing serious.

I then wrote a special post specifically how we can help the Dixie States, and now it is time to continue  re-living the less serious adventures in the life of Jenn..

Last week Hawai'i celebrated the Merrie Monarch, which is a non-profit organization honoring the legacy left by King David Kalākaua, who inspired the perpetuation of Hawaiian traditions, native language and the arts. This annual event is a week long festival featuring internationally acclaimed hula competition, a crafts fair, an art show, hula shows, and a grand parade through our small Hilo town on the Big Island of Hawai'i.

"Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people." ~ King David Kalākaua

Preparing for the Merrie Monarch is an intense process, as the hālau perfects their dances and costumes for competition.

My fabulous wahines from Maui, Hawai'i: Hālau Ke‘alaokamaile, with the amazing Kumu: Keali'i Reichel took it home [again] for Wahine Overall. These beautiful ladies won last year as well, and work HARD!

I have a handful of friends in this Hālau, here are some fun photos for all of us to enjoy:)

2011 Merrie Monarch Wahine Overall Winners!

Fun crowd;)

Gorgeous!

Close up!

I have been all kinds of shocked since realizing it's been OVER a week and I haven't finished recapping my fabulously busy weekend... You can read all about Saturday's March For Babies experience, and how special that day was for me here, and now I am excited to share with you my Sunday, and the traditional Hawaiian blessing of two new wa'a (canoe/outrigger)..

If you don't already know, I have a passion for paddling! You run? I paddle! Well.. I run, too, but there is never a time I dislike paddling, whereas running.. we've always had a love/hate relationship!

I am a Waterwoman!



I love my Hawaiian Pacific Ocean.. the power, the movement, the depth, the colors, the saltiness, smell, and temperature. I love it all!

Watch this:



And this:



And this!



At all times the ocean needs to be somewhere in my view. It needs to be accessible, so I can float in it, swim in it, surf, stand up paddle, paddle OC6 & OC1, sail etc. I am my happiest near, in, or on the ocean. It had me at hello. And it completes me.

Wa'a.. What is that? Wa'a is Hawaiian for Outrigger Canoe...and sailing canoes is an important part of the Polynesian heritage.

The outrigger frame work is the essential design modification that sets outrigger canoes apart from all others. It has evolved over thousands of years of experimentation as the most efficient way to stabilize a dug out canoe. Traditionally, the outrigger frame has always been fitted on the left side of the canoe.

The Hawaiian outrigger canoe is but one of hundreds of outrigger types across the region of Oceania, encompassing Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The stabilizing framework attached to the canoe hull across canoe spreader bars by means of traditional lashing techniques using cordage, consists of two iako or spars, at the outer end of which the ama (or float) is attached.

Many traditional skills are associated with the practicing of both the rigging and paddling of outrigger canoes. In relation to rigging, skill and knowledge of lashing techniques and the trim of the ama and iako in relation to the canoe are skills that can take many years of experience. It is this adherence to tradition that makes outrigger canoe racing and paddling unique in a world where many traditions and cultural recognitions have been lost.

As a result of this the sport attracts people seeking not only an outdoor ocean orientated sport, but one which offers deeper cultural and spiritual significance.

As we kick off our Paddling Season, Napili Canoe Club came together as one doing just that; weighing, rigging, and blessing our canoes--as well as welcoming two new keiki: Iwikuamo'o and Lauaki...

Translations
Iwikuamo'o: spine, backbone of the high chief
Lauaki: to cooperate, work together as experts



A very special, traditional Blessing captured all from an iPhone 4

History of Outrigger Canoe Racing

Outrigger canoe racing evolved as a natural extension of the peoples of Oceania's use of these amazing craft for their everyday survival in fishing the oceans and in traveling between island groups, culminating in epic journeys of up to and over 3000 miles, journeying in double hulled voyaging canoes.

Canoe racing became an important part of island life, as much pride and prestige was placed on victory. Gambling on victory was commonplace. During the European occupation of many of the islands, but especially Hawaii in 1820, canoe racing was effectively banned and paddles replace with bibles. Later in 1876 King David Kalakaua reinstated the sport. By 1908 the first outrigger canoe clubs were founded - Outrigger Canoe Club of Hawaii and Hui Nalu.

Hawai'i became the birthplace of contemporary outrigger canoe racing; with a governing body being established in 1950, the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. The sport has since spread far and wide to Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, USA, Canada, France, England, South Africa, Guam, Hong Kong, Australia, and Fiji and is expanding all the time. There are an estimated 25,000 outrigger canoe paddlers worldwide, and the sport is currently experiencing huge growth.

IMUA NAPILI!!!!


PS: I'll be paddling extra long, and extra hard today due to the overconsumption of Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs.. These things are hatching all over our house! Hoping you had a fabulous Easter by the way--please share with me what you were up to here as I've been ever so curious!