Vowels (A, E, I, O, U): Each vowel is pronounced clearly, never slurred. Like Spanish or Japanese vowels.

• A: Like 'ah' in 'father'. Ex: Aloha (ah-LOH-hah)

• E: Like 'eh' in 'bed'. Ex: Mele (MEH-leh)

• I: Like 'ee' in 'see'. Ex: Wiki (WEE-kee)

• O: Like 'oh' in 'go'. Ex: Ono (OH-noh)

• U: Like 'oo' in 'moon'. Ex: Hula (HOO-lah)

Kahakō (Macron, e.g., ā, ē, ī, ō, ū): Lengthens the vowel sound. Marked with a bar over the vowel.

• Ā: long 'ah'. Ex: Mākeke (MAH-keh-keh)

• Ō: long 'oh'. Ex: Lōʻihi (LOH-ʻee-hee)

ʻOkina (Glottal Stop, ʻ): A consonant that indicates a slight pause, like the break in "uh-oh!". It affects meaning.

• Ex: Hawaiʻi (hah-WEYE-ee) - The ʻokina separates the 'i' sounds.

• Ex: Koʻu (koh-ʻoo) vs. Kou (koh-oo)

Consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W, ʻ): Generally pronounced as in English, with 'W' having variable pronunciation.

• W: Can be 'v' (as in 'vagina'), 'w' (as in 'wagon'), or 'u' (as in 'moon'), depending on position and speaker dialect.

• Ex: Hawaiʻi (hah-VAI-ee or hah-WAI-ee)