Video short from Hale Kuamo‘o Hawaiian Language Center: Episode 4 of “E lawe i ke a‘o a mālama”

Posted on July 21, 2023October 31, 2025 by Staff

The fourth episode of “E lawe i ke aʻo a mālama” introduces two types of questions in the Hawaiian language and how to pronounce them properly.

From Hale Kuamoʻo, UH Hilo’s Hawaiian Language Center:

Aloha everyone! Here is the fourth episode of “E Lawe i ke Aʻo a Mālama.” Today we will be introducing two types of questions in the Hawaiian language and how to pronounce them properly.

The first type is the NĪNAU HŌʻOIA. A NĪNAU HŌʻOIA is a question with a “yes” or “no” response, and the asker’s voice will go down at the end of the question.

NĪNAU HŌʻOIA
1. Pehea, ua ʻike aku nei ʻoe iā mea mā? Did you happen to see them guys/gals?
2. ʻOno ka meaʻai o ka pāʻina o nehinei? Was the food at yesterday’s party delicious?
3. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi ʻoe? Do you speak Hawaiian?

Another type of question is the NĪNAU ĀKEA. If the asker is not seeking a “yes” or “no” response, but instead is seeking a response with broader details, then that type of question will end with the asker’s voice going up at the end of the question.

NĪNAU ĀKEA
1. He aha ke ʻano o kēlā iʻa? What kind of fish is that?
2. No ke aha ʻoe i haʻalele ai i ka hale i ka hola 4 o ke kakahiaka? Why did you leave the house at 4 o’clock in the morning?
3. He aha kāu kumu ʻo ke kipa ʻana aku i kona hale? What is the reason you went to his/her house?

So, did you notice the difference?