Let’s learn some Hawaiian this time around in Language Day. It is a Polynesian language and, along with English, the official language of the State of Hawaii. Read more about its background and politics here. This article will deal solely with the language itself.

The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters. That is a lot less than in most languages. There are five vowels: a, e, i, o, and u - each with a long pronunciation and a short one. And there are eight consonants: he ke la mu nu pi we, including a glottal stop which is called ʻokina. For tips in pronunciation, click here.

Travelling to Hawaii, you may already know one word: Aloha. So first of all, choose your Aloha:

Aloha kakahiaka = Good morning!
Aloha awakea = Good (later) morning!
Aloha aiunalā = Good afternoon!
Aloha ahi-ahi = Good evening! (pronounced as ahee-yahee)

Then let’s go through how you express gratitude. A simple thanks would be mahalo. Want to thank a bit more: mahalo nui means thank you very much! And finally, thank you so very much would be Mahalo nui loa.

You would probably here this in reply: A‘ole pilikia! You are welcome.

After a welcome drink, you may have spilled some of your drink, or bumped into someone in a crowd. Then you could say E kala mai! i.e. excuse me (pronounced eh kah-lah mah_-_yee).

Need to go to a washroom, but there is just text on the door? You gents would go where it says kāne , and women with the text wahine.

And when it is time to leave, remember this one: A hui hou! (pronounced ah-hoo-wee-ho-oo-uu) and meaning of course so long, or until we meet again. For you are always welcome in Hawaii!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATrYCvjWTow

Hawaiian language (Wikipedia)
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/learn-hawaiian-words