My Experience Saying "Happy Birthday" In Hawaiian

As someone who has a deep love for Hawaiian culture and language, I was excited to attend a friend’s birthday party in Hawaii. However, I was nervous about how to properly say “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian. I didn’t want to offend anyone or come off as disrespectful.

What is “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian?

The phrase for “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian is “Hau’oli Lā Hānau”. Pronounced as “how-oh-lay la ha-now”.

Breaking Down “Hau’oli Lā Hānau”

“Hau’oli” translates to “happy” or “joyous”. “Lā” means “day” and “Hānau” means “to be born”. So, “Hau’oli Lā Hānau” literally translates to “Happy Day of Birth”.

Step by Step Guide for Saying “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian

Start by pronouncing “Hau’oli”. It’s pronounced as “how-oh-lay”.
Next, say “Lā”. It’s pronounced as “la” like in “la-la-land”.
Finally, end with “Hānau”. It’s pronounced as “ha-now”.
Put it all together: “Hau’oli Lā Hānau”.

Top 10 Tips and Ideas for Celebrating a Birthday in Hawaiian

Host a traditional Hawaiian luau with hula dancers and a pig roast.
Give a lei to the birthday person.
Serve Hawaiian cuisine such as poke, kalua pork, and haupia.
Play traditional Hawaiian music.
Have a beach party with games such as a limbo contest.
Take a sunset sail on a catamaran.
Give a gift that represents Hawaiian culture, such as a Hawaiian shirt or a ukulele.
Visit a sacred Hawaiian site, such as the Iolani Palace or Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
Have a bonfire on the beach and roast s’mores.
Take a hula lesson together.

Pros and Cons of Saying “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian

Pros:

Shows respect for Hawaiian culture and language.
Adds a unique and special touch to a birthday celebration.
Allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian language and culture.

Cons:

May come off as cultural appropriation if not done respectfully.
Can be difficult to pronounce correctly.
May be misunderstood or not recognized by non-Hawaiian speakers.

My Personal Review and Suggestion

Overall, I believe that saying “Happy Birthday” in Hawaiian is a beautiful way to honor and celebrate Hawaiian culture. However, it’s important to do so respectfully and with the proper pronunciation. If you’re not confident in your ability to pronounce it correctly, it’s better to stick with English or another language.

Question and Answer / FAQs

Q: Is it appropriate to say “Hau’oli Lā Hānau” to anyone?

A: No, it’s typically reserved for close friends, family members, or those who have a strong connection to Hawaiian culture.

Q: Can I use “Hau’oli Lā Hānau” in a birthday card or message?

A: Absolutely! It’s a lovely way to add a personal touch to a birthday greeting.

Q: What are some other Hawaiian phrases I can use for a birthday?

A: “Ho’omaika’i ‘ana” means “Congratulations” and “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou” means “Happy New Year” but can also be used to wish someone a happy birthday.