HONOLULU (KHON2) — In the ahupuaʻa of Niumalu, which lies in the moku of Puna here on the island of Kauaʻi, stands a street that helps to learn some adjectives ma ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.  

We are speaking of Nani St.

The Hawaiian word nani has multiple translations, including as an adjective meaning “beauty, glory, pretty, or splendid.”

Here are a couple of descriptive words and phrases that you can incorporate into everyday conversations. 

However, keep in mind, that when describing something in the Hawaiian language, adjectives follow the word being described.

When walking past a beautiful flower, pua meaning “flower” and nani meaning “pretty or beautiful”, the phrase pua-nani can be used.

When those flowers are made into a stunning lei, lei meaning “garland” and lani meaning “heavenly,” the phrase lei-lani can be used.

Hawaiian Language Month is not just an important recognition of a thriving indigenous language, but it is also a reminder that Hawaiian was nearly silenced.   

Did you know that the Hawaiian language was banned from being taught in Hawaii classrooms?

And if you did, you would get punished.

During the reign of King Kamehameha III, Hawaii established the first public education system west of the Mississippi.

By the late 1800s, Hawaiʻi’s per capita literacy rate was 91%, only exceeded by New England and Scotland.

But following the illegal overthrow and failed annexation attempt by the US, the new Republic of Hawaii passed an English-only law.

In 1896, the Hawaiian language was banned as the medium of instruction in public schools.

It wasn’t until 1987, a span of 91 years when ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi returned as a medium of public instruction.

Did you know?  Now you do!