Journey through Hawaiian: From Hogwarts to Wonderland

Aloha e ka poe heluhelu (Greetings readers),

This week, let's talk about reading materials for learning Hawaiian. Many new publications are available, but I don't recommend most of them, especially if they are geared towards children. When I was learning, I needed more challenging reading material. Here are my recommendations:

• Old Newspapers: I've mentioned this before, and I still suggest using them as a resource.
• Hawaiian Bible: While I've recommended this in the past, I understand that some may not be interested in this book.

Last week, my friend Keao Nesmith, a native Hawaiian from Kekaha, Kauai, visited me. He learned Hawaiian directly from his grandmother, a native speaker, and grew up around friends from the Niihau community, providing him with an authentic Hawaiian environment. He's one of our greatest speakers today, with an impressive command of the language.

Due to his extensive knowledge of Hawaiian, it's no surprise that Keao is a great translator. Here are some of the famous books he's translated, all available on Amazon and quite affordable:

• "Harry Potter a me ka Pōhaku Akeakamai" (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Hawaiian)
• "Ka Hopita, a i 'ole, I Laila a Ho'i Hou mai" (The Hobbit)
• "Nā Hana Kupanaha a 'Āleka ma ka 'Āina Kamaha'o" (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
• "Ma Loko o ke Aniani Kū a me ka Mea i Loa'a iā 'Āleka ma Laila" (Through the Looking-Glass)
• "Ke Kāula Kamahaʻo o ʻOza" (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)

He's also working on translating the second, third, fourth, and fifth books in the Harry Potter series. More translations are on the way!

The great thing about these books is that you can purchase the English version separately. You can read in Hawaiian and then check how much you understand. Challenge yourself by going back and forth between Hawaiian and English.

These translations provide not just words but also insights into Hawaiian thinking, thanks to Keao's exposure to native speakers. I encourage you to take advantage of this valuable resource for preserving the Hawaiian language. These books truly offer a unique opportunity to learn and grow.

Na’u,

Malu