We cannot stress how important it is to learn from Native Speakers. There are huge differences between native speakers and non-native speakers. For us non-native speakers, wehave to change our flow, intonation, pronunciation, accent and overall sound to even begin to enter into the realm of native speech. We personally work hard to speak like native speakers and encourage you to do the same.
RECORDING YOUR VOICE: We all learned our first language by listening and then imitating what we heard. The most helpful thing you can do to change your flow, intonation, pronunciation, accent and overall sound is to record yourself speaking, play it back, then change make the needed changes!
Reading Tip: Find something (like scriptures) that you can have the Hawaiian and English versions side by side. As you read you can go back and forth between the two.
Papakilo Database - Hawaiian Newspapers from 1834 - 1940ʻs (preferred)
NATIVE HAWAIIAN NEWSPAPERS: We felt it important to list a number of newspapers that were endorsed and or produced by native Hawaiian speakers. We urge you to give priority to these newspapers but keep in mind that many native speakers wrote in other Newspapers as well, such as Ka Nupepa Kuokoa and Ka Nuhou which were not produced by Hawaiians.
Ka Leo o Ka Lahui
Ke Aloha Aina
Ko Hawaii Pae Aina
Ke au Okoa
Ka Makaainana
Kuokoa Home Rula
Ka Oiaio
Ka Ahailono
Ka Nai Aupuni
Ka Hoku o Ka Pakipika
Home Rule Republika
The Liberal
Writing
Get a journal and journal in Hawaiian
Use your phone, ipad, laptop, notebook to jot down notes
While listening to videos or audio recordings write down what you hear and use it as material to study when you sit down to study
Social Media - Comment and message in Hawaiian! Our handles @kaulumaika & @ka_alala
Speaking
We suggest you read aloud and or start talking aloud to yourself to practice
Family and friends - use as much as you can with your close social circle
Social Media - comment and message us find others to practice with
Vocabulary
Wehewehe.org - "Hawaiian Dictionary" was done by a native speaker (Mary Kawena Pukui)
Nānā i ke Kumu Vol. I and Nānā i ke Kumu Vol. II - These two books include linguistic and cultural elements written from the perspective of Mary Kawena Pukui. A native speaker from Kaʻū, Hawaiʻi.
"ANDREWS DICTIONARY" and "PARKER DICTIONARY" are recommended dictionaries as well. Both were published before the 21st century. A time when the Hawaiian language flourished amongst native and non-native speakers. They are found on wehewehe.org (listed above).
Purchasable Resources
If you have to spend money, we recommend this book. The author, Dorothy Kahananui is a native speaker.
Been transplanted out of the island for five years now and “Ke Alala” is a you tube channel I subcribe to to freshen up my ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. I saw bruddahs hat and was more interested when I learned why he chose Ke Alala as the title of his channel. When I saw I could get em by way of this Ulumaika. I did. I got the trucker and the flat visor hats and they are very nice, rogue, and the ulu design under the visor is nani. Will be representing the lāhui up here in the “mainland” or “continent”. Mahalo Nui my nraddah and sistah from one Uncle in the Kawainuipaʻakai, or as my interpretation. A hui hou!!!
