HONOLULU (KHON2) - In the ahupuaʻa of Waipiʻo, which lies in the moku of ʻEwa here on Oʻahu, stands a dead-end street whose name could mean “to surround,” refer to the beginning of a song, or translate as “pronunciation.”  We are speaking of Puana St. In Hawaiian language, or ma ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, pronunciation is very important because it could change the meaning of a word. For example, the word ʻāina.  As we commonly see it spelt and hear it spoken today, ʻāina can be translated as “land or earth.” If ʻaina is spelt without the kahakō marker which would emphasize the sound of the vowel its placed over, then it could mean “meal.” If the kahakō is placed over the last vowel instead adding the emphasis there, ʻainā could mean “sore or aching” as from exercising. Or, if aina is spelt with neither the kahakō nor the ʻokina, no emphasis is given which would translate as “sexual intercourse.” Proper pronunciation is important, but it is also important to keep in mind that Hawaiian language includes different dialects, Niʻihau language as an example.  Or take Honolulu.  Historical documents share that Honolulu had been referred to by some Hawaiian royalty as Hanalulu.  Not Hannah-lulu, that’s mispronunciation.  But Hanalulu, a dialect. The official name to the capitol of Hawaiʻi is properly pronounced Honolulu, which translates as “sheltered bay.” When used in places names, the word Hono- refers to “bay.”  On the island of Hawaiʻi, places such as Honokaʻa or Honokōhau express that. However, places located on the island of Kauaʻi, such as Hanapēpē and Hanalei, also express the meaning of “bay.” As found in the Hawaiian dictionary by historian Mary Kawena Pūkuʻi, the words Hono- and Hana- could be interchangeable. By that technicality, Hanalulu may not be wrong for some but keep in mind that there is a big difference between mispronunciation and speaking from a dialect. Did you know?  Now you do!