The phrase is borrowed directly from English but since Hawaiian has a different phonological system – Hawaiian does not have the /r/ or /s/ of English and its phonotactic constraints do not permit consonants at the end of syllables or consonant clusters – “Merry Christmas” becomes “Mele Kalikimaka”.
Additionally, How did Merry Christmas become Mele Kalikimaka?
What is Aloha Kalikimaka? Most importantly, we wish you all “Aloha Kalikimaka me ka Hape Nuia” — Merry Christmas together with a Happy New Year!
Subsequently, How do you pronounce Mele Kalikimaka? Kalikimaka is pronounced like “Kah-lee-kee-mah-kah”
The easiest way to learn how to say Mele Kalikimaka is to listen to Bing Crosby sing this classic song from his White Christmas album.
FAQ
How do Hawaiians say happy birthday?
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau
Want to know how to say happy birthday in Hawaiian? You say, “Hauʻoli Lā Hānau” (pronounced as how-oh-lay la ha-now). “Hau`oli” means happy, “Lā” means day and “Hānau” means “born or birth.
What does Hau Oli makahiki Hou? Because makahiki also means « year », the Hawaiian phrase for « Happy New Year » became « Hau’oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new) »(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho).
What is Hawaii family? ʻOhana is a Hawaiian term meaning « family » (in an extended sense of the term, including blood-related, adoptive or intentional). The term is cognate with Māori kōhanga, meaning « nest ».
How do Hawaiians say Happy New Year? Because makahiki also means « year », the Hawaiian phrase for « Happy New Year » became « Hau’oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)« (how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho).
What language do native Hawaiians speak?
The Hawaiian language (Hawaiian: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) is the language of native Hawaiians. Aloha and mahalo are probably its most recognized words. The word lanai is also used in English. (That is different from Lanaʻi, the name of one of Hawaiʻi’s islands.)
What does mahalo mean in Hawaii? mahalo — Pukui-Elbert, Haw to Eng ,
nvt., Thanks, gratitude; to thank. Examples: Mahalo nui loa, thanks [you] very much. Mahalo ā nui, thanks very much.
Do you say Merry Christmas in Hawaiian?
Do you know how to wish someone a merry Christmas in the Hawaii? You say, “Mele Kalikimaka.”
What’s the Hawaiian name for life? One word in Hawaiian, which defines how many Hawaiians look at life, is pono. Pono is commonly translated as ‘righteousness’. In fact, it’s right there in the state motto, which reads Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono, and literally translates to ‘The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness’.
How do you say sister in Hawaiian?
Why don t most Hawaiian homes have fireplaces?
Because it’s warm in Hawaii year- round, most Hawaiian homes don’t have fireplaces, so kids hang their stockings anywhere Mom will let them. Santa always manages to find them and leave candy or Kanake (kah-NAH-key). And of course, he always leaves you presents or makanas (mah-KAH-nahs)!
How do Hawaiians say congratulations? Simply said..,Ho’omaika’i ‘ana – Congratulations in Hawaiian.
How do you pronounce Makahiki?
How do you spell ohana?
On a literal level, ohana (often spelled ‘ohana in Hawaiian) refers to part of the taro plant, the ‘oha-ana.
Where is Ohana? It follows the story of two Brooklyn-raised siblings who take a trip to O’ahu and find their Hawaiian heritage. Finding ‘Ohana was shot in Dominican Republic, Thailand, Hawaii, and New York. Filming locations included Honolulu, Kane’ohe, O’ahu, and Brooklyn. Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii.
How do you say Merry Christmas in Hawaii?
Made famous in 1950 by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters, “Mele Kalikimaka” is indeed how the phrase “Merry Christmas” was borrowed into Hawaiian.
What does Makahiki mean? Definition of makahiki
: a period of several months which was celebrated each fall in ancient Hawaii with athletic contests, religious rites, and payment of tribute to chiefs and during which all warfare was tabooed.
Who banned Hawaiian language?
The Hawaiian language had been banned from school instruction in 1896, after the U.S. government illegally overthrew the Hawaiian government. From then on, in almost all public spaces, English quickly replaced Hawaiian.
What money is used in Hawaii?
| Hawaiian dollar | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | $ |
| Banknotes | $10, $20, $50 and $100 (silver coin deposit certificates) |
| Coins | one dime (umi keneta), quarter dollar (hapaha), half dollar (hapalua) and one dollar (akahi dala) |
| Demographics |
Is it illegal to speak Hawaiian in Hawaii?
The Hawaiian Language Banned
After the annexation of Hawaii as a territory of the United States in 1898, the language was officially banned from schools and the government.
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