Question: I look forward to hearing the “Hawaiian Word of the Day” on public radio in the morning. Can you tell us a little more about the person who provides the pronunciations and definitions? What is her background in Hawaiian language? Is this a current feature, or is it on reruns? Can we submit words to HPR that we would like to learn more about and hear pronounced correctly? Even some of the online programs when you type in the word mispronounce Hawaiian place names, so I appreciate this resource.
Answer: The popular series began airing in the mid-1990s and has been in reruns for years, said Phyllis S.K. Look, director of marketing for Hawai‘i Public Radio. She describes its origin, and says the station welcomes listeners’ suggestions to refresh the feature:
“The Hawaiian Word of the Day was actually created for Hawai‘i Public Radio by Keith Haugen, well-known Hawaiian music and language educator, entertainer, songwriter, radio producer/host, and journalist. The Word of the Day complemented a pilot all-Hawaiian newscast Haugen had launched earlier for HPR. The five-minute newscast evolved out of a special project Haugen devised as a fourth-year Hawaiian Language student at the University of Hawai‘i. Haugen voiced some of the earlier Hawaiian Word segments, then invited Leilani Poli‘ahu, one of his Hawaiian language classmates, to voice others and to contribute other words and definitions. The Hawaiian Word of the Day has been in encore presentation for many years now. Besides the broadcasts on HPR’s news (HPR-1) and classical music (HPR-2) stations, the Hawaiian Word of the Day can be found on HPR’s Facebook page, website, and mobile app. The station receives many favorable comments about this public service — the Facebook posts often elicit wonderful personal stories in response to that day’s word. HPR is currently studying how best to refresh this popular series. Community feedback is welcome by writing to HPR President and General Manager Jose A. Fajardo at jfajardo@hawaiipublic radio.org.”
Each 30-second spot features Poli‘ahu saying a Hawaiian word’s meaning, spelling and proper pronunciation. Given that the vignettes were recorded many years ago, we hoped to say what Poli‘ahu is up to now, but were unable to reach her by deadline.
Q: When is the Waimanalo gym going to be fixed?
A: Construction to repair the corroded gymnasium at Waimanalo District Park is scheduled to be completed next summer, according to the city. The gym has been closed since June 2016. Work to repair major structural problems began about two weeks ago.
Auwe
Auwe to the guy in the black four-door pickup who stopped by the fence by the railroad in Ewa on Saturday and blasted his horn at the kids to scare them. Very rude. — Glen
Mahalo
On behalf of all who live in the Marco Polo building, I want to thank everyone who has assisted us: the Fire Department, Red Cross, Associa Hawaii, First Insurance, Honolulu Police Department, Bloomingdale’s, the employees of Marco Polo and restoration companies. I also wish to thank the many, many people and organizations who have donated school supplies, clothing and food, including Domino’s Pizza. I also want to thank Yessica, who just came in and volunteered her time every single day to organize the donations and had the idea, recipes and hard work for Taco Tuesday. Her help has been above and beyond (as have many of the aforementioned). If I missed anyone, I am sorry. Things have been pretty hectic and chaotic here, but your kindness and generosity have made life here a little better and we truly appreciate all of your assistance! — Dorothy Umeda, a Marco Polo owner
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