Local Guide - Dictionary  There are many words that the
Kama'aina (locals) speak every day, as second nature, that are
rarely heard on the Mainland.  You may notice while driving
around town that our street names (and most words) are full of
vowels. This is because there are only 13 letters in the
Hawaiian alphabet: A, E, H, I K, L, M, N, O, P, U and W. And 18
sounds a, e, i, o, u, ä, ë, ï, ö, ü, h, k, l, m, n, p, w, and w
with a v sound.   Here we have compiled a list of interesting
words, pronunciations and meanings. We do not expect you to be
able to pronounce Kalanianiole Highway as soon as you step off
the plane, but this list and the quick reference guide will give
you a good start.  `A`â - [ah AH'] - Rough, clinkery lava Vs.,
pâhoehoe (smooth lava). `A`â to a car is like a can opener to
metal.  A hui hou! - [ah hui hou!] - Good bye! See you later!
`Āina - [AI' nah] - Land, earth. As in, "Aloha `Âina", (love of
the land or of one's country).  Akamai - [ah kah mai'] - Smart,
clever, wise, intelligent. Y