Listen to Inoa Matters for Kohala to learn more about place and street names – how to pronounce them and some background information for each. It can be tricky to pronounce names because not all public signage includes the diacritical marks like the ʻokina (glottal stop) and kahakō (macron or line over a vowel).
Ka Leo o ka Uluau’s producer and sound engineer, Bruce Torres Fischer, created these quick audiograms because names are important. Pronunciation of names is essential in conveying the manaʻo or meaning behind these places we navigate day-to-day. It’s also a way to celebrate the rich history and culture of places while we accustom our mouths to ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language.
Audiogram – Waikoloa:
Audiogram – ʻAnaehoʻomalu
Audiogram – Waimea/Kamuela
Audiogram – ʻŌhaiʻula
Audiogram – Mauʻumae
Audiogram – ʻUpolu
Check out Inoa Matters (Names Matter) for other areas of the island: