Waikiki Travel Adventures

By Sharon Hamblin

Considered by many to be the most famous island beach in the world, two-mile-long Waikiki Beach (which means “spouting waters”) wasn’t always about sun, sand and surf. In Polynesian times, much of Waikiki was off-limits to everyone but chiefs, who had ho

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hunter Publishing
• Release date: Jan 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781588439949

Book preview

tel.[phone].

Climate

Rainfall on O`ahu

Honolulu Coastal – 22 inches (56 cm)/year

Kailua – 73 inches (193 cm)/year

Mountains – up to 200 + inches (508+ cm)/year

The weather on O`ahu is pleasantly temperate, with temperatures ranging from a low of 62°F to highs of 89°F in the summer. The windward side of O`ahu has more rain than other areas with December being the wettest month with an average of 7.9 inches of rain and June being the driest with an average of 3.6 inches of rain. Honolulu and Waikiki are a bit drier with a December average of 3.2 inches of rain and a June low of .4 inches of rain. On the North Shore, the average rainfall in December is 4.1 inches while the average in June is .4 inches.

For O`ahu weather forecasts, call 808-973-4381. For surf report information, 808-596-7873.

Culture

The Hawaiian Language

In the Hawaiian language, an `okina (`) or glottal stop is frequently seen between two vowels. A glottal stop indicates a total break in sound, so whenever you see one, pause for a second as if you were saying uh-oh. Hawaii doesn’t get one because without one it means the state of Hawaii and with a stop it means the Big Island of Hawai`i.

Hawaii is the only state to have two official languages – English and Hawaiian.

The Hawaiian alphabet (the shortest in the world) contains only 12 letters – the five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p and w). You’ll soon figure this out when every name of every street, beach, park, town and Hawaiian person seem to be all Ks and Ws.

The sounds of the letters are the same as in English except in the case of the v which is often pronounced as a w. For example, many people pronounce the state as Ha-vi-e. The language isn’t as simple as it seems – the Hawaiian language has 33 words to describe a cloud and 179 terms for sweet potatoes.

When trying to navigate through the Hawaiian language, it may be easier if you break the words into syllables. Hawaiian syllables never contain more than one consonant (h, k, l, m, n, p, w) and each syllable must end with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u). If you follow these rules, you’ll realize that each word in the Hawaiian language ends with a vowel.

One of the most popular and intriguing words in the Hawaiian language is the name of the unofficial state fish – the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a!  If you break it down, it is a bit easier and can actually be fun (kids love it!). Try Hu-mu-hu-mu-nu-ku-nu-ku-a-pa-a-`a.

Want a head start?www.thehawaiichannel.comhas a section called Hawaiian Word of the Day which is brought to visitors by Kamehameha Schools. You can view the website or, when you’re on O`ahu, check out Channel KITV 4 News every morning from Monday to Friday. Also, a website, www.hawaiianlanguage.com, is dedicated to preserving the Hawaiian language.

Common Hawaiian words

ahi (AH-HEE) – yellowfin tuna

`aina (eye-na) – land, earth

aikane (eye-kah-nay) – friend, companion

akamai (ah-kah-my) – smart or clever

ali`i (ah-lee-ee) – a chief or member of nobility

aloha (ah-lo-ha) – hello, goodbye, love

aloha `oe (AH-LO-HA OH-A) – farewell to you

aloha nui loa (AH-LO-HA NU-E LO-AH) – very much love

auwe (ow-way) – Oh! or Ouch!

`awa (ah-vah) – Kava root, chewed in native Polynesia in a relaxing social ritual

ea (eh-ah) – sovereignty, rule, life force

halau (ha-laow) – hula school

hale (hah-ley) – house or home

hana (hah-na) – work

hanai (ha-nai) – adopted or foster children

haole (ha-oh-lay) – foreigner

Haoli Makahiki Hou (ha-oh-lee ma-ka-He-key ho) – Happy New Year

heiau (hay-ee-ow) – ancient temple, place of worship

holoholo (ho-lo-ho-lo) – a trip or excursion

hono (ho-no) – bay

huhu (hoo-hoo) – angry

hui - (hoo-ee) – club, association

huna (hoo-na) – secret

imu (ee-moo) – underground oven

kahuna (ka-who-na) – priest or expert

kai (KAH-EE) – sea water

kama`aina (kah-mah-eye-na) – a person born in or familiar with a place

kanaka maole (ka-na-ka ma-oh-lay) – the true Hawaiian people

kane (kah-nay) – man

kapu (kah-poo) – taboo or sacred, keep out, forbidden

kau kau (cow-cow) - food

keiki (kay-kee) – child

kokua (koh-ku-ah) – help, assistance

kuleana (koo-lee-ah-na) – immediate garden or taro patch near a home

kupuna (koo-poo-nah) – elders, grandparents

ku`uipo (koo-oo-e-i-po) – sweetheart

lani (lah-nee) – heaven

lei (LEH-EE) – flower wreath

lolo (low-low) – crazy

lua (loo-ah) – bathroom

luau (loo-ow) – Hawaiian feast or celebration

mahalo (mah-ha-lo) – thank you

mahalo nui loa (MAH-HA-LO NU-EE LO-HA) – thank you very much

makai (ma-kai) – toward the sea

mele (may-lay) – song or chant

menehune (meh-nee-hoo-nee) – legendary race of tiny people who worked at night building fish ponds, roads and temples

mauka (mao-ka) – inland, toward the mountains

Mele Kalikimaka (may-lay ka-lee-kee-ma-ka) – Merry Christmas

moana (MOH-AH-NUH) – ocean

mu`u mu`u (moo-oo-moo-oo) – traditional Hawaiian gown for women

`ohana (o-hah-na) – family, relatives

`oi (oy) – best

`ono (oh-no) – delicious

opala (o-pa-la) – garbage

pali (pah-lee) – cliff, steep hill

paniolo - (pah-nee-oh-lo) – Hawaiian cowboy

pau (pow) – finished

pilikia (pee-lee-kee-ah) – trouble of any kind

poi (POH-EE) – mashed taro

po’okela (po-oh-kell-ah) – regarded as the best by the community

pono (poh-no) – righteous.

pua (poo-uh) – flower

puka (poo-kah) – hole, door or entryway

pupu (poo-poo) – appetizer or hours d’oeuveres

tutu (TOO-TOO) – granny

wahine (wa-hee-nay) – woman

wai (WAH-EE) – fresh water

wai wai (why-why) – property or assets.

wikiwiki (wee-kee-wee-kee) – hurry

E Komo Mai (E-KO-MO-MY) – welcome

Da Pidgin Guide

Pidgin is slang used on the islands by locals. It is not recommended that you use it casually – some people might think that you’re making fun of them. If you want to learn more about pidgin, ask a local to explain some terms. In order to understand pidgin a little better, you may want to browse through these definitions:

an’ den – and then

broke da mouth – if you eat something and it was really good then it is broke da mouth

brah – All guys call each other this, a greeting for locals (whassup brah?)

da – the

da kine – When you can’t think of the word you mean to say, you just say da kine, i.e. Where did I put the da kine? You could be looking for any thing – your car, your lunch, your kid….

fo real – This can be a question or a statement. Fo real? could be a question meaning Really? Or it could mean agreement to a statement as if someone says, That ahi dinner hit the spot. The reply, Fo real, implies agreement.

garans – Guaranteed

garans ballbarans – Also means guaranteed and if you’re fortunate enough to have the name Sharon as I do, you will probably be called Sharon Ballbarans for the rest of your life.

grind – eat (I’m so hungry, I’m gonna grind so hard)

grinds – food (Let’s go get some grinds in Hale`iwa)

haole – Caucasian

haole feet – tenderfoot (what you say when you see a pale tourist running across the beach because the sand is so hot)

hele on – moving on

holoholo – to go out (Let’s go holoholo tonight)

howzit? – common greeting meaning How is everything?

junk – lousy, horrible (Last night was so junk)

laydahs – later  (See ya laydahs)

mo bettah – more better (a popular catchphrase on Moloka`i where you’ll see the Moloka`i mo bettah slogan all over the place)

okole – butt, bottom

ono – delicious (This poke is so ono)

pakalolo – marijuana

pau – finished, done

pau hana – finished with work (also the name for the beer/drink that you have after work, i.e., Did you have a pau hana yet?)

puka – hole (My shirt has a tiny puka)

shaka – hand signal waving thumb and pinky

shishi – pee (used to ask children – Do you have to go shishi?

sistah – sister

slippahs – flip flops

stink eye – a dirty look (That girl over there is giving you stink eye)

talk story – casual talk or gossip (I’m going to go over to Vinnie’s to talk story)

tanks - thanks

tink – think (I tink I saw a shark in the water)

If you want a completely different view of the Bible, check out Da Jesus Book for a translation like no other. The book is available at Hawaii bookstores or through www.pidginbible.org. For a humorous view of pidgin, check out Peppo’s Pidgin To Da Max, which is available at most book and novelty stores in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian People

In general the Hawaiian people are a unique group – full of aloha, spirituality and they have a special bond with their heritage. O`ahu is home to many people who were born on the island and lived there all their lives. Family is very important to the Hawaiian people and don’t be surprised to see a group of Hawaiian having a barbeque on the beach or celebrating a special occasion (a baby’s first birthday is a HUGE deal in the Hawaiian culture and enormous luaus are held).

The Hawaiian people also practice what is called aloha spirit. This is a way of life in Hawaii and encompasses a rare combination of generosity, camaraderie and genuine friendliness. Don’t be shy about asking for directions or about the history of the island. You’ll be surprised at the heart-warming responses you may get.

Aloha Friday is celebrated every Friday and follows a decades-long tradition of wearing informal island attire to work. On this day, you’ll see men in Aloha shirts and women dressed in muumuus. Some lucky employees are allowed to leave work an hour early on Aloha Friday. Now, that’s Aloha!

Also, in Hawaii (well, maybe not in busy Waikiki) we tend to use our car horns as a way to say hello to someone.

It is customary in Hawaii to leave your shoes at the front door and enter a home barefoot. I would assume that this tradition stems from a desire to keep the house clean as people trample in and out with sand all over their bodies.

Elders in Hawaii are affectionately called auntie and uncle, but don’t call someone this without their invitation.

Canoeing is the official state sport of Hawaii and there are several canoe clubs throughout O`ahu. Paddlers take this sport seriously and you can often see them practicing on the beaches, especially along Waikiki. As you stroll down beaches, you’ll see the long, skinny outrigger vessels parked on the sand waiting for the next race. Races are rigorous, team-oriented events and often entail paddling across the rough oceans between islands. For more information about this competitive sport, check out www.y2kanu.com.

No More Tiny Bubbles:Legendary Hawaiian crooner Don Ho, known for his raspberry-tinted sunglasses and signature song, Tiny Bubbles, died in April of 2007. Ho entertained Hollywood’s biggest stars and performed thousands of tours for four decades. His Waikiki show was a mix of songs, jokes, double entendres, Hawaiian history and audience participation. Donald Tai Loy Ho, who was of Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and German descent, was born August 13, 1930 in Honolulu and grew up in the then-rural countryside of Kaneohe.

Flora & Fauna

Flora of Hawaii

Most visitors are dazzled by the colorful array of flora seen abundantly throughout the islands. Some of the most prevalent plants include the angel’s trumpets (which resemble upside-down trumpets), heart-shaped waxy-feeling antheriums, spiky orange and blue birds of paradise, fragrant white and yellow ginger flowers, bold yellow, red and orange heliconia, hibiscus, aromatic plumeria and ever-present orchids.

Fruit trees also grow freely throughout the islands. During avocado season, where I live there are so many of the fruits that you can’t even give them away. During your travels you may see banana, avocado, breadfruit, macadamia, mango and papaya trees. Mango season occurs in July and August and many local chefs take advantage of these delicious fruits when creating their specials. Mango margaritas are also ultra-tasty! Exotic lychees are rarely available outside of