An old friend of mine owned an almond ranch. I asked him the correct pronounciation of "almond".

He said "Once you buy them you can call them what you want".

You can say that since you paid the money to go to Kauai you can pronounce it the way you want. YOU can say it but I wouldn't.

It's a respect thing to me. At least give it a try. Like going to Europe and not even trying to speak the local
language.

Kaui is clearly wrong, but I've always wondered about the hyphen. I just checked the "official tourism site for the county of Kauai" (kauai-hawaii.com) and they use both names (with and without hyphen) interchangeably. Ditto kauaigov.org. They use Kaua'i in most but not all text, but titles, official maps, etc are all sans-hyphen.

Were the hyphens even used back when the alphabet was first introduced to Hawaii, or is it a newer introduction to combat haole pronunciation? Maybe we should call you Keali'i?

wemr,

Is it HA WHY EE or HA VIE EE?

BTW, you're velcome.

it is not a hyphen, it is an `okina. The `okina is a character of the Hawaiian alphabet. To be correct it is Kaua`i, with the `okina. The use of the okina can completely change the emaning of a word. `aina (with `okina) means land, while aina (no `okina) means sexual relations. The problem with resources like the websites you mentioned is that the content often comes from multiple sources, and are often created by people with less than adequate knowledge of `olelo Hawai`i. Rarely do they have editors who read for consistency, and content is often just thrown up.

And, if we really wanted to be correct, it would be Keali`i, a name that translates literally as "The Chief."

How 'bout we just call it what ever the native people called it before us US gov types stole it as a US territory and a US state?

And it's "coop-on" not "kyupe-on"

Hmmm learned something new. Thanks here_today. Here's hoping that you won't correct me when I tell Kal that either pronunciation of Hawai'i (see, I learn fast) is acceptable. Different islands used to have different accents when it came to V and W sounds.

I wouldn't worry too much about spelling..it was only about 5 years ago that the Honolulu Advertiser decided to use them. Street signs are now printed with the okina, but there are old ones up without.

The two that bug me are Kaneohe and Pali. Not can-ee-oh-ee. It is kha nay oh hay. Pah-lee, not pal-ly

Well, if we are going to get picky. I believe it is Po'ipu and not Poipu. but it's all paradise to me!

Will the Original Poster please step up and give us the correct pronunciation of their/his/her name PLEEEZE!!!! You started this kealii, don't quit on us now!

ke=kay
ali`i=ah-lee-ee

What is the correct pronunciation of New Orleans ?

new-awlins but spoken as if it were one syllable? which makes it more like na,awlins? Or is it New?Or?leans?heehee

Wow. I didn't expect such discussion. But that's great. Many great comments here - I especially appreciate those who recognize the issue of respect. Yes, I am Keali`i (Kay-ah-lee-ee)which means "the chief", though I do not mean to portray any superiority or leadership. I am, however, a promoter and appreciater of all things Hawaiian, or Hawai`ian. Mahala nui loa for all who likewise appreciate Hawai'i, her people, language and culture, and have the spirit of Aloha. That includes all of you fodorites, I'm sure.
Keali`i

Psst--Keali`i: No `okina in Hawaiian. Hawaiian is not a Hawaiian word, but an English word, thus no `okina. Another common mistake made is in pluralizing Hawaiian words--there is no S in `olelo Hawai`i, so it would be two lei, three lu`au or six liliko`i. As for mongoose, anymore than one is plenty.

To the top for Amelie.