Pronouncing Place Names on Maui
Pronouncing Place Names on Maui or town names can be difficult for first-timers.
They struggle to pronounce Hawaiian names -- (as they would pronounce an unfamiliar word in English).
They say they are taking the Road to Hana, which they pronounce in various ways: “HANN-nah” or “HAY-nah” or “HAH-nah” as it is actually pronounced.
And Lahaina comes out variously, often as: “lah-HAY-nah” instead of “lah-HIGH-nah” as it is actually pronounced.
Napili is not pronounced like the city in Italy, but instead is “nah-PEE-lee”.
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Since the arrival and predominance of foreigners over the past two centuries, the original Hawaiian names have been shortened and anglicized:
Ka’anapali -- [kah-ah-nah-PAH-lee] -- or shortened to [kah-nah-PAH-lee]
Lanai’i -- [lah-NAH-ee] -- or shortened to [lah-NY]
Moloka’i -- [moh-loh-KAH-ee] -- or shortened to [MOH-loh-ky]
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In the printed pronunciation guide following each Hawaiian place name, syllables in CAPITAL LETTERS are stressed when pronouncing.
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Ha’iku -- [hah-EE-koo] -- or shortened to [HY-koo]
Hali’imale -- [HAH-lee-MAH-lee]
Hamoa -- [hah-MOH-ah]
Hana -- [HAH-nuh]
Hanakao’o (Canoe Beach) -- [hah-nah-kah-OH-oh]
Honoapiilani -- [hoh-noh-ah-pee-ee-LAH-nee]
Honokohau -- [hoh-noh-koh-HOW]
Honokowai -- [hoh-noh-koh-WHY]
Honolua -- [hoh-noh-LOO-ah]
Ho’okipa -- [hoh-oh-KEE-pah]
Huelo -- [WHEH-loh]
Iao (Valley) -- [EE-ow]
Ka’ahumanu -- [kah-ah-hoo-MAH-noo]
Ka’anapali -- [kah-ah-nah-PAH-lee] -- or shortened to [kah-nah-PAH-lee]
Kahakuloa -- [kah-hah-koo-LOH-ah]
Kahana -- [kah-HAH-nah]
Kahekili -- [kah-heh-KEE-lee]
Kahului -- [kah-hoo-LOO-ee]
Kailua -- [ky-LOO-ah]
Kapalua -- [kah-puh-LOO-uh]
Kaupo -- [KOW-poh]
Kipahulu -- [kih-pah-HOO-loo]
Ke’anae -- [KEH-ah-ny]
Kihei -- [KEE-hay]
Ko’olau -- [KOH-oh-lauw]
Kula -- [KOO-luh]
Ma’alaea -- [mah-ah-LYE-uh]
Makawao -- [MAH-kah-wow]
Makena -- [mah-KEH-nuh]
Mala -- [MAH-lah]
MAUI -- [MOW-wee]
Mokulele -- [moh-koo-LEH-leh]
Moloka’i -- [moh-loh-KAH-ee] -- or shortened to [MOH-loh-ky]
Molokini -- [moh-loh-KEE-nee]
Lahaina -- [lah-HIGH-nah]
Lanai’i -- [lah-NAH-ee] -- or shortened to [lah-NY]
Launiupoko -- [lah-nee-uh-POH-koh]
Nahiku -- [nah-HEE-koo]
Napili -- [nah-PEE-lee]
Ohe’o -- [oh-HEH-oh]
Olinda -- [oh-LIHN-dah]
Olowalu -- [oh-loh-WAH-loo]
Oneloa -- [oh-neh-LOH-ah]
Pa’ia -- [pah-EE-ah]
Pe’ahi -- [peh-AH-hee]
Pi’ilani -- [pee-ee-LAH-nee]
Puamana -- [poo-ah-MAH-nah]
Pukulani -- [poo-koo-LAH-nee]
Pulehu -- [poo-LEH-hoo]
Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) -- [poo-oo keh-KAH-ah]
Pu’unene -- [poo-oo-NEH-neh]
Ulupalakua -- [oo-loo-pah-lah-KOO-ah]
Wahikuli -- [wah-hee-KOO-lee]
Waiehu -- [why-EH-hoo]
Waihe’e -- [why-HEH-eh]
Waikapu -- [WHY-kah-poo]
Wailea -- [why-LAY-uh]
Wailua -- [why-LOO-ah]
Wailuku -- [why-LOO-koo]
Waianapanapa -- [why-NAH-pah-NAH-pah]
Walmart -- [WAHL-mart]
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Pronouncing Hawaiian Names is not as hard as it looks.
Return to First Trip to Maui.
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Helping More People Vacation on Maui The Best Way.
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