Hawaiian Dictionary: Hawaiian-English, English-Hawaiian (Hardcover)

by Mary Kawena Pukui (Author), Samuel H. Elbert (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This standard work of reference... continues offering the happy blend of grammar and lexicon." -- American Reference Books Annual

Product Description
For many years Hawaiian Dictionary has been the definitive and authoritative work on the Hawaiian language. Now this indispensable reference volume has been enlarged and completely revised. More than 3,000 new entries have been added to the Hawaiian-English section bringing the total number of entries to almost 30,000, and making it the largest and most complete of any Polynesian dictionary. Other additions and changes in this section include: a method of showing stress groups to facilitate pronunciation of Hawaiian words with more than three syllables; indication of parts of speech; current scientific names of plants; use of metric measurements; additional reconstructions; classical origins of loan words; and many added cross-references to enhance understanding of the numerous nuances of Hawaiian words.

The English-Hawaiian section, a complement and supplement to the Hawaiian-English section, contains more than 12,500 entries and can serve as an index to hidden riches in the Hawaiian language. This new edition is more than a dictionary. Containing folklore, poetry, and ethnology, it will benefit Hawaiian studies for years to come.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press; Rev Enl Su edition (July 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824807030
• ISBN-13: 978-0824807030
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,339 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The one and only Hawaiian Dictionary, December 20, 2000

By	noeau (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews

First, to correct this record, the Hawaiian Dictionary was written by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert. I have no idea who Mary Ann Spenser Pukui or Mara Kawena Pukui are supposed to be. These are typos that should immediately be corrected.

As for the validity of this dictionary, it has been the standard for more than 40 years. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Hawaiian language and culture should own this reference book. It is absolutely essential to own this book if you are considering naming anything or anyone (from dogs to boats to children) with a Hawaiian name. Hawaiian words have multiple meanings. A word that sounds lovely may have perjorative meanings that aren't readily apparent from other smaller dictionaries. Mary Kawena Pukui was the foremost expert on the Hawaiian language and culture, and this book is her legacy to those of us who love all things Hawaiian. Mahalo Kawena.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one!, January 6, 2000

By A Customer

This is the only acceptable dictionary for students of Hawaiian language. The author is not Mary Ann Spenser Pukui, however. The author is the well-known and most respected Hawaiian scholar, Mary Kawena Pukui.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is the standard for Hawaiian language., October 23, 1998

By A Customer

This is the standard for Hawaiian language studies. No other Hawaiian dictionary even approaches its depth and scope. However, users should note that this revised edition contains a few significant changes from the previous edition in the meanings given to some words.