Learn Hawaiian
Learn Hawaiian online with an app that gets you speaking fast. With native speaker audio and fun lessons that fit your schedule, you'll soon master practical phrases for everyday life, from aloha to mahalo nui loa.
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Speak Hawaiian with Confidence
Many people want to learn Hawaiian to connect with the islands' culture and heritage. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find good resources that teach authentic pronunciation and everyday phrases.
uTalk is the solution. We'll help you avoid:
- Struggling with Hawaiian vowels and the glottal stop without proper audio examples
- Using generic apps that don't cover basic Hawaiian words and real-life situations
- Missing out on casual conversations because you don't have the basic vocabulary to join in
Learn Hawaiian language skills that work in daily life.
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Three Steps to Learn Hawaiian Fast
No classes to schedule. No textbooks. Just a clear path to learning Hawaiian online.
Start in minutes
Download the app or go to the website. Choose Hawaiian and select your first category.
Get StartedPractise real phrases
Our teaching method includes short lessons with native speaker audio and memory-boosting games. Reviews focus on words you get wrong so that you learn faster.
Speak like a local
Try your new Hawaiian language skills in real life. Beginner, intermediate and advanced learners alike can practise basic and practical spoken language and start enjoying meaningful experiences.
Why uTalk is the Best Hawaiian Learning App
uTalk is app-based, online and ready to help you speak and recognise essential Hawaiian words and phrases.
Speak first
Learn practical vocabulary native speakers use in everyday spoken Hawaiian, including greetings, family and travel.
Authentic speakers
Learn from locals, not computer voices. Hear the correct pronunciation of place names and the Hawaiian alphabet, including vowels and tricky sounds such as the glottal stop.
Beginner friendly, fun and effective
Build confidence with game-like lessons that are short, focused and rooted in Hawaiian culture and real-life situations.
Learn Hawaiian Online – Common phrases and audio
uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.
Makemake au i kope, ke ʻoluʻolu.
I’d like a coffee, please.
Aloha.
Hello.
ʻAe.
Yes.
Mahalo.
Yes please.
ʻAʻole.
No.
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ʻAʻole, mahalo.
No thanks.
E ʻoluʻolu.
Please.
Mahalo.
Thank you.
Mahalo nui loa.
Thank you very much.
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ʻAʻole pilikia.
You’re welcome.
ʻElua pia, ke ʻoluʻolu.
Two beers, please.
ke kaʻaʻōhua
bus
ke kaʻa
car
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ke kaʻa hoʻolimalima
taxi
ke kaʻaahi
train
ka hale hoʻolulu kaʻaahi
railway station
ke kahua mokulele
airport
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ka hōkele
hotel
ka palapala ʻae holo
passport
ke kelepona
telephone
E kala mai.
Excuse me.
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ʻO ka hola ʻehia kēia?
What time is it?
E ʻōlelo hou mai, ke ʻoluʻolu.
Can you repeat that please?
E ʻōlelo mālie ke ʻoluʻolu.
Please speak more slowly.
ʻAʻole maopopo iaʻu.
I don’t understand.
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E kala mai.
Sorry.
Aia i hea nā lua?
Where are the toilets?
Ka Lua Wahine
Ladies’ Toilet
Ka Lua Kāne
Gents’ Toilet
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Aia i hea ke kahakai?
Where is the beach?
Aia i hea ka panakō?
Where is the bank?
ʻEhia kālā no kēia?
How much does this cost?
ke kāleka kāki
credit card
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ka mīkini unuhi kālā
cash machine
A hui hou.
Goodbye.
ka lāʻau piwa
paracetamol
nā kī
keys
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ka palapala ʻāina
map
ka hema
left
ka ʻākau
right
kahi
one
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lua
two
kolu
three
Fun facts | Hawaiian
- The greeting ‘aloha’ means more than just hello - it also communicates love and good will.
- There are different words for ‘when’ depending on whether you are referring to the past “ināhea” or the future “āhea”.
- Words sometimes have repeated syllables such as “melemele” – yellow, “pikapika” - spicy, “nananana” - spider and, best of them all, the Hawaiian triggerfish - “Humuhumunukunuku‘apua‘a”.
- Vowels are a big deal in Hawaiian – all Hawaiian words end in a vowel and consonants are always followed by a vowel.
- A Hawaiian-English creole known as Hawaiian Pidgin is also widely spoken on the islands. One example of a word from this language is “slippahs”, which means ‘flip flops’.
- Commonly used directions in Hawaiian include the words “ma kai” meaning ‘towards the sea’ and “ma uka” meaning ‘towards the mountain’.
How our Hawaiian lessons work
Learning should feel intuitive. Begin with everyday greetings such as aloha and mahalo, then explore practical topics such as family, numbers and useful phrases. Each lesson is brief, engaging and designed with beginners in mind. You practise with native speaker audio, and the app tests you to reinforce what you've learned and strengthen your memory. The review system focuses more on the words that challenge you, helping you progress faster.
Choose any category, and the app arranges the content to build your confidence quickly. Prefer learning Hawaiian from a language other than English? The app defaults to the language of your device, or you can easily change the language in Settings. Study online or offline, on your mobile or desktop. Switch between categories whenever you like, and shape your own learning path. Need help? Our friendly UK-based team is standing by, see the in-app Support page for details.
Hawaiian vs. Hawaiian Pidgin vs. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
Discover the difference between Hawaiian, Hawaiian Pidgin and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
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Key points
- Hawaiian, also called ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in Hawaiian, is the indigenous Polynesian language spoken on the Hawaiian Islands. It's an official language of Hawaii alongside English, and with a growing number of speakers, it's experiencing a cultural revival.
- Hawaiian Pidgin is a different language. It's a Hawaiian-English creole that developed on the islands and is widely spoken today. Hawaiian Pidgin uses English vocabulary mixed with Hawaiian and other influences, while Hawaiian (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) is a distinct Polynesian language with its own grammar, vocabulary and Hawaiian alphabet.
- The word aloha is perhaps the most famous Hawaiian word, meaning hello, goodbye, love and compassion, depending on context. Learning Hawaiian opens a window into Hawaiian culture and the islands' rich heritage.
How Hawaiian compares with other Pacific languages
- Hawaiian belongs to the Polynesian language family. If you learn Hawaiian, you'll notice similarities with other Polynesian languages such as Māori and Samoan, and even with Fijian and other Pacific languages.
- English is widely spoken across the Hawaiian Islands alongside Hawaiian and Hawaiian Pidgin. Many visitors learn a few words of Hawaiian to show respect for native Hawaiians and the local culture.
“We help make learning Hawaiian easy”
“It's easy to feel stuck when quality resources for an indigenous language are hard to find. At uTalk, we understand that learning Hawaiian is about connection, respect and cultural understanding. That's why we recorded a female native speaker and a male speaker who was adopted into a Hawaiian family and now teaches the language. By listening to their voices, you’ll hear the authentic rhythm and pronunciation, including tricky sounds such as the glottal stop and the musical flow of the vowels. Start today, and learn how to speak like a local.”
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Richard Howeson
uTalk Founder
Why Hawaiian learners trust uTalk
We go out of our way to support minority and regional languages, and our content includes native speaker recordings. The app works for English speakers and for speakers of more than 140 other languages. Check reviews to see how learners turn practice into progress.
Your Hawaiian Language Learning Journey
Maybe you want to connect with Hawaii's culture and history, honour your heritage or prepare for a trip to the islands. Hawaiian is spoken across the Hawaiian Islands and carries deep cultural significance. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find quality Hawaiian lessons that teach authentic pronunciation and practical phrases.
Get StarteduTalk can help. Pick any category that interests you, or begin with First Words such as aloha and mahalo nui loa. Build your vocabulary with phrases that work in real conversations. Listen to authentic speakers, then record your own voice and compare the two. The games keep practice engaging for beginners, while the material remains useful for intermediate learners. Study online when you're connected or offline when you're not by downloading the content first. Follow our suggested pathway for structured progress, or jump between categories based on what you need right now.
The result? You'll speak Hawaiian with confidence. You'll connect with friends, family and new people across the islands using your new Hawaiian language skills. Learning happens on your schedule.
Learn real-life topics in Hawaiian
Explore the Austronesian language family
Hawaiian belongs to the Austronesian language family, which stretches from Southeast Asia to the Pacific and even Madagascar. If you're curious to compare words, sounds or everyday phrases between languages in the family, check out: Māori, Samoan, Fijian, Malay, Indonesian, Filipino (Tagalog), Ilocano, Javanese and Malagasy.
Due to these languages' deep historical roots and often similar vocabulary and phonetic patterns, cross-learning might feel familiar once you start.
Get StartedYour Hawaiian questions, answered
Do you offer live online classes or is it just an app?
uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.
Can I start as a beginner?
Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1-A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.
What application languages do you support? Can I learn without English?
Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.
How is content selected and ordered?
Topics are based on real life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.
How does uTalk compare with YouTube lessons?
YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.
Is Hawaiian easy to learn for English speakers?
The Hawaiian language has a simpler sound system than English, with only 13 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet. The challenge comes from mastering the vowels, the glottal stop and Hawaiian grammar. With regular practice using native speaker audio, most learners can handle basic Hawaiian conversations within a few weeks.
How long does it take to learn Hawaiian?
Short, regular sessions are most effective. After just a few weeks of consistent practice, many students find they can handle simple conversations. Your learning speed depends on how often you use the app and how much you review.
What's the difference between Hawaiian and Hawaiian Pidgin?
Hawaiian (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) is a Polynesian language with its own grammar and vocabulary. Hawaiian Pidgin is a Hawaiian-English creole that's widely spoken on the islands but is a different language entirely. uTalk teaches Hawaiian, the indigenous language.
Can I learn Hawaiian for free with uTalk?
Getting started with uTalk is simple, and you can cancel whenever you want. We want you to love uTalk, so we even offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you're not satisfied.
Where can I learn Hawaiian with uTalk?
We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.
Topics
- Accommodation
- Adjectives
- Animals' Bodies
- Animals
- Bathroom
- Body
- Business
- Calendar
- Camping
- Military Peace Keeping
- Clothes
- Colours
- Military Commands
- Football Commentary
- Cooking
- Countries
- Directions
- Disaster Relief - Volunteers
- Natural Disasters
- Doctor
- Driving
- Emergencies
- Family
- Farming
- First Words
- Food and Drink
- Fruit
- Golf
- Holiday
- Home
- Illness
- Ingredients
- Military Intelligence
- Kitchen
- Leisure
- Likes and Dislikes
- Football Match Abroad
- Numbers up to Ten Million
- Numbers up to Twenty
- Occupations
- Olympics
- Outdoors
- Places
- Prepositions
- Restaurant
- Sailing
- School
- Shopping Phrases
- Shopping Words
- Essential Phrases
- Skiing
- Social Phrases
- Sports
- Free Starter Words
- Summer Olympics
- Technology
- Time
- Timetable
- Tools
- Transport
- Travelling
- Vegetables
- Winter Olympics
Get by with basic greetings, words and phrases including 'hello', 'thank you' and 'I'd like a coffee please'.