Samuel H. Elbert

Intended for self-learning as well as classroom use, this book presents the principal conversational and grammatical patterns of the language. Each of the sixty-seven lessons is a sample dialog in Hawaiian with English translation.

Without question, this is the definitive grammar of the Hawaiian language. Indeed it is the first attempt at a comprehensive treatment of the subject since W. D. Alexander published his concise Short Synopsis of the Most Essential Points in Hawaiian Grammar in 1864. This grammar is intended as a companion to the Hawaiian Dictionary, by the same authors. The grammar was written with every student of the Hawaiian language in mind – from the casual interested layperson to the professional linguist and grammarian. Although it was obviously impossible to avoid technical terms, their use was kept to a minimum, and a glossary is included for those who need its help. Each point of grammar is illustrated with examples, many from Hawaiian-language literature.

In a compact and portable format, this dictionary contains more than ten thousand entries, a welcome chapter on grammar explained in non-technical terms, and a pronunciation guide.

How many place names are there in the Hawaiian Islands? Even a rough estimate is impossible. Hawaiians named taro patches, rocks, trees, canoe landings, resting places in the forests, and the tiniest spots where miraculous events are believed to have taken place. And place names are far from static--names are constantly being given to new houses and buildings, streets and towns, and old names are replaced by new ones. It is essential, then, to record the names and the lore associated with them now, while Hawaiians are here to lend us their knowledge. And, whatever the fate of the Hawaiian language, the place names will endure. The first edition of Place Names of Hawaii contained only 1,125 entries. The coverage is expanded in the present edition to include about 4,000 entries, including names in English. Also, approximately 800 more names are included in this volume than appear in the second edition of the Atlas of Hawaii.

This Hawaiian language text, intended for self-learning as well as classroom use, presents the principal conversational and grammatical patterns of the language in 67 lessons, each containing English-Hawaiian dialogues. Emphasis is given to idiomatic speech, and a vocabulary of approximately 800 words, selected on the basis of frequency of usage and cultural importance, is introduced. The frequent humor of the lessons makes Elbert's Spoken Hawaiian an enjoyable learning experience. Also noteworthy is the author's inclusion of old Hawaiian in the text - legends, songs, stories - to enable the student to read the rich Hawaiian traditional literature in the vernacular language. The illustrations by noted artist Jean Charlot are a charming and amusing complement to the text. Spoken Hawaiian will help the student not only to read and speak the language, but at the same time to appreciate the rich heritage of the Hawaiian past and its literature. of the sixty-seven lessons is a sample dialog in Hawaiian with English translation.