Pukui: New Pocket Haw'n Dictionary [Paperback]

Esther T. Mookini (Author), Yu Mapuana Nishizawa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1992

The Hawaiian Dictionary, by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel Elbert, has for many years been the standard work of reference for the Hawaiian language. Based on frequency of usage and cultural importance, 10,800 entries, from the 41,500 in the revised and enlarged edition of 1986, have been selected for inclusion in the New Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary.

In a compact and portable format, this dictionary up-dates scientific and common names of plants and animals; Hawaiian equivalents of given names; words borrowed from other languages; numbering and counting; practical phrases, and much more. The chapter on grammar, explained in nontechnical terms, includes a pronunciation guide.

This convenient book will be appreciated by residents, visitors, and beginning students of Hawaiian alike.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English

About the Author

The late Mary K. Pukui devoted her life to the study and preservation of Hawaiian language and culture. During her career at the Bishop Museum, she translated Hawaiian legends, chants, and archival materials into English.

Samuel H. Elbert, professor emeritus of Pacific languages and linguistics at the University of Hawaii, is considered a world authority on Polynesian languages. He has authored numerous textbooks and dictionaries and is Polynesian consultant to Merriam-Webster.

Esther T. Mookini taught Hawaiian language and culture at Kapiolani Community College. She translates folktales and historical legal documents.

Yu Mapuana Nishizawa is a star hula performer and kumu hula (teacher) in Japan. Fluent in Japanese, English, and Hawaiian, she translated the first edition of the Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary into a Hawaiian-Japanese version.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press (January 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824813928
• ISBN-13: 978-0824813925
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Hawaiian
  • #49 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Dictionaries; Polyglot
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Words & Language > Linguistics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars makamae, April 28, 2002

By 

kelray (san clemente, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pukui: New Pocket Haw'n Dictionary (Paperback)

this little book is a hidden treasure!I know,for I spent most of my life growing up in the islands.
hawaii is a place unique in the sense that the spirit and the beauty can actually be captured by the words in the language...I highly recomend these priceless pages of fun and enjoyment.if for no other reason than to learn a new word to describe something...the languageis sweet,the words simple,and "the new pocket hawiian dictionary"no ka oi! mahalo to the authors!!!!

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars useful stuff, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pukui: New Pocket Haw'n Dictionary (Paperback)

This pocket dictionary is a real treasure, especially when you are a turist. Here you can find everything you need for every situation. For the first time you can feel like you know what are you talking about in a language which isn't your mother tounge.In a short time you can learn all the words you need for a basic comunication and even more. I can only say that you have to have this book, even if you don't plan to go to Hawaii. After reading and learning from this dictionary you will want to speak Hawaiian all the time. What to say - cool!

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great little resource., July 30, 2002

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pukui: New Pocket Haw'n Dictionary (Paperback)

This book has around 11,000 words with adequate definitions.

I like the fact that the people that compiled this dictionary included names and even a guide to assist in pronounciation.

This nook is not an exhaustive researh on the Hawaiian language; but will greatly assist in research; Two Bears.

Aloha nui loa (I love you very much).