Learning Hawaiian: A Lesson in Humility

Aloha mai! Pehea mai nei oukou?

Recently, I conducted a presentation for a diverse group, including several newcomers to Hawaii, particularly military families who will relocate soon. They approached me afterward with a common question: "Would you prefer us to make an effort to pronounce these words correctly, or should we just say them as we think they sound?" One person even expressed feeling like an impostor when trying to say these words accurately.

Can you guess my response?

I conveyed that, as someone who understands the language, I truly appreciate it when people genuinely attempt to pronounce these words correctly. Emphasis on "genuine." By the end of our conversation, they all felt more encouraged to make sincere efforts to learn the proper pronunciation. It was eye-opening for me to hear about their discomfort in trying to pronounce these words accurately.

Now, let me share a contrasting incident from the same presentation:

Among the attendees, there was a person I've known for years. She and her family, like the newcomers, are transplants, but I've been in Hawaii for a significant period. While I was addressing questions, this individual attempted to distance herself from the group.

She mentioned how Hawaiian words are woven into everyday conversation among local people and cited the word "wahini." I gently corrected her, saying, "You mean 'wahine' (woman). She continued speaking as if she hadn't heard me, so I repeated myself, saying, "wahine." Many attendees recognized that I was helping her pronounce the word accurately, but she seemed unwilling to acknowledge it. She had unwittingly undermined herself and her "local" status by mispronouncing a word commonly used in local jargin.

It was an uncomfortable moment for her, but it didn't have to be. She took it upon herself to demonstrate that she'd been in Hawaii longer and was somehow separate from the transplants. In her effort to separate herself from the group, she realized that she was right at home and very much part of the transplant group.

Why am I sharing these stories? Learning the Hawaiian language requires significant haahaa (humility). We must accept that we are novices. From this perspective, we can absorb knowledge like a sponge. When we try to learn with pride, our progress is limited. Even today, I acknowledge my limitations and lack of knowledge, striving to maintain a humble mindset for continuous learning.

Did either of these stories resonate with you? Feel free to respond to this email with your thoughts.