Baibala Hemolele/Hawaiian-Bible-FL [Hardcover]

American Bible Society (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 999 pages
• Publisher: American Bible Society (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585161993
• ISBN-13: 978-1585161997
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy Bible in Hawaiian, August 13, 2007

By 

Mary A. Davidson (Somewhere on a wave) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baibala Hemolele/Hawaiian-Bible-FL (Hardcover)

It's hard to review the Bible; after all, what can you say that hasn't been said by rabbinic commentators and other biblical scholars over the ages?

I have immense appreciation for the translators who took Greek and Hebrew texts and created the Baibala Hemolele (Holy Bible - Hawaiian translation). Reading this in Hawaiian gives you new insight both into the purity and beauty of the Hawaiian language and the difficulty of translation. In some cases, I find new insights (due to the translation) that I think enhance the meaning of the text. For example, where the names of the plagues of Egypt are translated, the translator used the word (for darkness) "po'ele'ele." Po is "night." 'ele is "black. Reduplication adds emphasis, so a translation of what we read in English as "darkness" would be "the blackest darkness of night." All in one word: po'ele'ele. Kamaha'o (amazing!)

Other passages are as moving as they can possibly be; perhaps more so in Hawaiian. A favorite passage of mine (and well translated) is 1 Corinthians 13 "Ina i olelo au i ka olelo a na kanaka a me na anela..." (If I speak in the language of men and of angels...") It is interesting in Greek, but it truly sings in Hawaiian.

If you are trying to learn Hawaiian (as I am), reading something more complex, yet familiar, like Baibala Hemolele is really helpful in improving your skills. And you will have a new appreciation for both the Bible, and the people who created the written form of Hawaiian from a beautiful, rich oral tradition - the missionaries.

E ola mau ka 'olelo Hawai'i. May the language of Hawai'i live!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baibala Hemolele, August 26, 2008

By 

Nawahine in Kalihi (Honolulu, Hawai'i) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baibala Hemolele/Hawaiian-Bible-FL (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book and I especially love the font size since I'm older and appreciate seeing what I'm reading...plus it's less strain on all of my senses not only on my eyes. When my eyes are at peace so is the rest of me. I read my Hawaiian bible aloud everday to hear myself speak our language as my grandparents read these passages out loud to us as children. Finally, I have my own Hawaiian bible that I can see clearly and read with ease because of the font. I've been waiting a long time for this one. God bless you and Mahalo.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Bible, August 26, 2005

By 

N. Tyau "N8" (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baibala Hemolele/Hawaiian-Bible-FL (Hardcover)

This Bible hasn't changed and just about everyone in my chuch has this Bible. It's a no frills or thrills Bible, so it doesn't come on fancy paper with gold edges. But perhaps the reason it's still being used by everyone in my church is because it's hard cover conctruction feels very sturdy. The other reason might be, because not very many (if any) make a Bible in Hawaiian. The shipping was fast, and I enjoy my new Bible. The only thing I noticed (so far) is that some of the pages weren't cleanly cut so some pages were still connected. But, it was a quick fix and they come apart with just a little pressure. All in all, it's a great Bible, and I look forward to it's many years of use.