Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 6, 1 Iune 2023 — About Hawaiian Plaee Names [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

About Hawaiian Plaee Names

V LAMAKU HO'OKIPA V ^ A BEACON OF HOSPITALITY "

By Mālia Sanders Hawaiian plaee names are given with mueh thought to incorporate landscape features, observations of weather and

natural phenomena, and stories both legendary and contemporary. Hawaiian plaee names honor the people who named them and the natural forces and stories these names convey. In using proper Hawaiian plaee names, we bestow the highest honor to the land and the history of plaee.

Many places in Hawai'i are best known for things built on those plaees or designations given in modern times. These names are appropriate in some cases, but certainly, modern buildings or designations should never erase the history of a plaee. If the plaee has an English niekname, the recommendation is to use the Hawaiian plaee name first and then add the optional English niekname (e.g., Lē'ahi, also refer-

enced as Diamond Head). Consider whether the niekname is an interpretation of the Hawaiian name, relays a Hawaiian tradition of the plaee, or is just an application acquired over the years. The reference for Hawaiian plaee names used by NaHHA is Plaee Names of Hawai'i by Mary Kawena Pukui, Samuel Elbert and Esther Mo'okini, available online. The Hawai'i Board on Geographic Names (GNIS) was created by Act 50 of the 1974 Hawai'i State Legislature to develop uniformity in the use and spelling of the names of geographic features and the database ean be used as a resource for researching the most recently approved orthography. When there is a question on orthography of a plaee name after checking with 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i (1978) and Plaee Names of Hawai'i, the GNIS relies on Native Hawaiian speaking elders of a particular area for assistance. When a decision cannot be reached as to the proper spelling or pronunciation, the name is given no orthography until

further research is conducted. In this case, NaHHA recommends as a best practice to reference in parenthesis, "orthography and pronunciation vary" after a plaee name that may have mulitple pronunciations, spelling or mana'o on orthography. Today, the normalization of Hawaiian language is a catalyst for change. As we grow the number of Hawaiian language speakers and we support projects like Awaiaulu and the digitization of Hawaiian language newspapers, we are able to unloek the knowledge found in honoring our native language. In learning the correct spelling, pronunciation and orthography of our places we mālama our home.

Mahalo nui to all of our kūpuna, researchers and community members who continue to contribute their mana'o to the Board of the GNIS to ensure that our plaee names are properly honored and respected into the future. ■ To learn more visit www.wehewehe.org or https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/gis/bgn/ Guidelines _for _Hawaiian _Geographic _ Names_vi-i.pdf Mālia Sanders is the executive director of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (. NaHHA ). Working to better connect the Hawaiian community to the visitor industry, NaHHA supports the people who provide authentic experiences to Hawai'i's visitors. For more information go to www.nahha.com Follow NaHHA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @nahha808 and @kuhikuhi808.

Le'ahi, also referenced as Diamond Head. - Photo: HTA / Vincent Lim