Illustrated Hawaiian Dictionary (Hawaiian Edition) [Paperback]

Kahikahealani Wight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2005

The new pocket edition is an ideal resource for beginning speakers and students of the Hawaiian language or anyone interested in Hawaiian language, history, and culture. Illustrated with line drawings, it includes over 5,000 entries in Hawaiian and English, an additional 2,500 synonyms and related words and phrases, grammar notes, and thousands of example sentences in both Hawaiian and English that illustrate practical and cultural uses of the language.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kahikahealani Wight has a degree in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, where she has taught Hawaiian language. She currently teaches beginning-level Hawaiian language at Kapiolani Community College. She is also the author of Learn Hawaiian at Home, a book and CD program useful for classroom instruction as well as individual self-study.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Bess Press; Bilingual edition (May 2005)
• Language: Hawaiian
• ISBN-10: 1573062391
• ISBN-13: 978-1573062398
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Hawaiian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The DEFINITIVE Hawaiian book!, April 18, 2006

By 

Fast Forward (Nagoya, Aichi Japan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illustrated Hawaiian Dictionary (Hawaiian Edition) (Paperback)

THIS IS A FUN BOOK! I've been teaching myself Hawaiian for 3 years (you'll find my Amazon reviews for the books I used) and have at times been frustrated with the very limited scope of each resource.
This book has ERADICATED my frustration! It's truly an answer to my prayers.
DOWNSIDE: None.
UPSIDE: Here's a list:
1. The Hawaiian-English section uses a Hawaiian-cultural standpoint as basis.
2. The English-Hawaiian section uses a Western-cultural standpoint as basis.
3. There are over 5,000 entries in Hawaiian and English.
4. Most of the words are used in actual, modern sentences.
5. There are literally thousands of such useful sentences.
6. Words with multiple meanings are explained.
7. Every type of sentence structure is here.
8. There are wonderful line drawings.
9. A lot of the sentences are colorful: "While she was driving, her tears fell."
10. A lot of the sentences are topical: "The Hawaiian race has known the pain of injustice".
11. There are 448 pages.
12. It's pocket-sized.
13. It makes Hawaiian an accessible, flexible and LIVING language.
14. All this for only $9.95.

If you're learning Hawaiian and have gotten through the elementals, this book will take you upward and onward, and you'll have a lot of fun in the process! I've been reading mine daily, and I never fail to find something useful, interesting and fun. I wish I could give this book 20 stars.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Illustrated dictionary, December 1, 2008

By 

Carissa Cranmer (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illustrated Hawaiian Dictionary (Hawaiian Edition) (Paperback)

This dictionary with simple, clear illustrations is an essential componenet to any understanding of Hawaiian words and language. Especially geared for beginners and children, this dictionary covers alot of ground. While not being too technical or cumbersome, it is an enjoyable book to use.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic, February 20, 2009

By 

Annie (Modesto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illustrated Hawaiian Dictionary (Hawaiian Edition) (Paperback)

I first purchased this Hawaiian-English dictionary but soon realized I needed the more complete dictionary (by Pukui/Elbert which is twice the price but worth it).

If you are just "dabbling" in the Hawaiian language, this concise dictionary might be enough for you. There are 2,500 entries (vs 26,000 in the Pukui/Elbert edition). And "illustrated" just means there's a few line-drawn black/white 1 x 1 inch pics scattered throughout the book.

Again, this is probably a good basic dictionary, 448 pages, 4 x 7 inch in size, for someone just wanting to check out basic words. To really get into the language, however, I encourage you to spend more to definitely get more! (Be sure to order the most up-to-date dictionary, as words are being added with every newer edition.)