Written by the Maui Snorkeling team, operating Molokini Crater, Turtle Town, and Coral Gardens tours out of Maʻalaea Harbor since 1985. Tours are led by USCG‑licensed captains aboard a USCG‑inspected passenger vessel. We spend more days in these waters than on land.
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Answer to what Language Is Spoken In Hawaii?: English and Hawaiian are the official languages of Hawaii. In daily life, most visitors use English, but you will also hear Hawaiian words (especially place names), local speech patterns, and many other languages spoken across the islands.
Main Takeaways:
- Official Languages: English and Hawaiian
- What Visitors Use Most: English
- What Visitors See Everywhere: Hawaiian place names and common Hawaiian words
- Also Common: Hawaiʻi Creole English (often called “Pidgin”) and many immigrant languages
- Easy Beginner Win: Learn 10 to 20 Hawaiian words and pronounce a few Maui place names confidently
- Maui Bonus: We included ocean and snorkeling words you will actually hear on tours
If you are planning a trip to Maui, you might be wondering: What language is spoken in Hawaii? And right after that, you might be thinking, “Okay, cool, but how do I pronounce Maʻalaea without accidentally summoning a volcano?”
Good news: you will do great. This guide gives you the short answer, the real-life answer, and a beginner-friendly list of Hawaiian language words you will actually see on signs, menus, maps, and yes, even on our snorkeling tour.
What Language Is Spoken In Hawaii?
The simple answer is the best answer: English and Hawaiian are Hawaii’s official languages. You can see this stated directly in the Hawaii State Constitution (Legislative Reference Bureau).
In real life, you will use English easily everywhere on Maui: hotels, tours, restaurants, grocery stores, and beach parks.
But you will also see and hear Hawaiian every day through:
- Place names: Kīhei, Hāna, Maʻalaea, Kāʻanapali, Haleakalā
- Greetings: aloha and thank-yous like mahalo
- Cultural values: words like mālama and kuleana
Are Hawaiian And English Both Official Languages?
Yes. English and Hawaiian are the official languages of Hawaii, as stated in the Hawaii State Constitution (Article XV, Section 4).
Fun Maui reality: even when a sign is mostly English, you will still see Hawaiian words for places, winds, ocean features, and local landmarks. Learning just a few words makes Maui feel friendlier fast.
What Languages Are Spoken In Hawaii?
If you are asking, “What are the languages spoken in Hawaii?” the honest answer is: a lot. Hawaii is one of the most multilingual places in the United States.
A helpful snapshot comes from the State of Hawaii Data Book (DBEDT), based on U.S. Census American Community Survey estimates. In the 2019 to 2023 period, the Data Book table shows:
- Spoke Only English At Home: 1,021,218
- Spoke A Language Other Than English At Home: 342,396
You can see the table here: DBEDT Data Book Table 1.43 (Selected Detailed Language Spoken At Home).
DBEDT also lists the top languages other than English spoken at home. Here are a few of the biggest ones by number of speakers:
- Tagalog / Filipino: 59,395
- Ilocano: 58,297
- Japanese: 39,249
- Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese): 35,176
- Hawaiian: 27,611
- Spanish: 27,497
- Korean: 15,024
Table link: DBEDT Data Book Table 1.44 (Top Languages Other Than English Spoken At Home).
What About “Pidgin” In Hawaii?
You may also hear something locals call Pidgin. The more formal name used by linguists is Hawaiʻi Creole English.
Two important things for visitors:
- Pidgin is not “bad English.” It is a real creole language with its own history and structure.
- Do not try to imitate it as a tourist. It usually lands awkwardly. Better move: smile, listen, and enjoy the local vibe.
Helpful local reference from the University of Hawaiʻi: What Is Pidgin? (UH) and Hawaiʻi Creole English Definition (UH).
Hawaiian Pronunciation Basics For Beginners
If you want to learn Hawaiian language words, pronunciation is where you get the biggest confidence boost fast.
Hawaiian uses two marks you will see often:
- ʻOkina: a consonant that looks like a small opening quote. It marks a glottal stop, like the sound in “oh-oh.”
- Kahakō: a line over a vowel that lengthens the sound.
Official spelling and diacritic guidance: University Of Hawaiʻi Hawaiian Language Considerations and UH Diacritics Guide.
Quick Maui Tip: If you see an ʻokina or a kahakō in a place name (like Hawaiʻi or Kīhei), it is there for a reason. Even a small effort gets big appreciation.
Hawaiian Words For Beginners
This is the beginner list that is actually useful for travelers. Not “memorize 200 words,” just the ones you will see and hear constantly.
Greetings And Polite Words
- Aloha (hello, goodbye, love)
- Mahalo (thank you)
- E Komo Mai (welcome)
- ʻAe (yes)
- ʻAʻole (no)
Directions And Helpful Travel Words
- Makai (toward the ocean)
- Mauka (toward the mountains)
- ʻĀina (land)
- Kuleana (responsibility, privilege, stewardship)
- Mālama (to care for, to protect)
If you like the deeper cultural side of these words, we have a full guide here: The Spirit Of Aloha and our visitor etiquette guide here: How To Visit Maui Responsibly In 2026.
Maui Ocean And Snorkeling Words You Will Hear
These are the Hawaiian language words that show up a lot around snorkeling and ocean life.
- Kai (sea)
- Moana (ocean)
- Honu (green sea turtle)
- Manō (shark)
- Heʻe (octopus)
If you want a fun marine life read that includes Hawaiian names, check out: Hawaiian Day Octopus (Heʻe) Facts + Where To Spot On Maui.
Maui Place Names You Will See All The Time
- Hawaiʻi (the state name, with an ʻokina)
- Haleakalā (the famous volcano on Maui)
- Kīhei (South Maui town, with a kahakō)
- Maʻalaea (harbor area, with an ʻokina)
- Hāna (East Maui, with a kahakō)
Most travel sites will drop the diacritics, and that is common online. But if you learn the correct versions, you will spot them everywhere on maps and official signs.
How To Start Learning Hawaiian Language Without Overwhelming Yourself
- Learn The Sounds First: ʻokina and kahakō basics make everything easier.
- Learn 10 Core Words: aloha, mahalo, mālama, ʻāina, makai, mauka, and a few ocean words.
- Practice Place Names: Maui place names are the easiest daily repetition you will get.
- Use A Real Dictionary: For English to Hawaiian language lookups, a dictionary is safer than guessing.
- Listen More Than You Speak: You will learn faster and you will be more respectful.
Good starting resources:
- Hawaiian Dictionaries (Wehewehe): Wehewehe Wikiwiki (UH Hilo and Ulukau Dictionaries)
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Learning Resources: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Resources
Want a Maui activity that lets you hear Hawaiian words naturally, without feeling like you are taking a pop quiz? Come snorkel with us and you will hear ocean terms and place names in context. Start here:
What Languages are Spoken in Hawaii FAQs
What languages are spoken in Hawaii?
English and Hawaiian are the official languages, and many other languages are spoken at home across the islands, including Tagalog, Ilocano, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and more.
Sources: Hawaii Constitution and DBEDT Data Book Table 1.44.
What language is spoken in Hawaii the most?
For visitors, English is the most commonly used language day to day. You will also see Hawaiian everywhere in place names and common words like aloha and mahalo.
Is Hawaiian still spoken in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaiian is spoken in homes and communities, and it is taught through Hawaiian language education programs.
See the Hawaii public school Kaiapuni information here: Ka Papahana Kaiapuni.
What is Pidgin in Hawaii?
“Pidgin” commonly refers to Hawaiʻi Creole English, a creole language that developed in Hawaii. It is not “broken English.”
Learn more from the University of Hawaiʻi: What Is Pidgin?
What are good Hawaiian words for beginners?
Start with aloha, mahalo, ʻae, ʻaʻole, mālama, ʻāina, makai, and mauka. Add ocean words like kai (sea) and honu (turtle) if you are snorkeling.
How do I look up English to Hawaiian language words?
Use a real Hawaiian dictionary tool. A good starting point is the UH Hilo and Ulukau dictionary search: Wehewehe Wikiwiki
Conclusion
If you came here asking “what language do they speak in Hawaii,” the best takeaway is simple: you can use English everywhere, but learning a few Hawaiian words makes your Maui trip feel more connected and more respectful. Start with place names, add a handful of polite words, and sprinkle in a few ocean terms so you can smile when someone says “honu” and you actually know what to look for.
And if you want to hear Maui place names and ocean words in the most fun setting possible, come snorkel with us. We will handle the gear and the conditions, you bring the curiosity and the mahalo!
Now you know a few Maui words. Next step: use them in real life! Join us on the water, and you’ll hear place names, ocean terms, and plenty of aloha from our crew while you snorkel some of Maui’s best reefs!
Sources & Updates: We keep this guide updated, but language statistics and references can change as new Census estimates are released. For official sources and current data, use the links below.
- Official Languages (Hawaii Constitution): Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau: State Constitution
- Language Spoken At Home (Data Book Table 1.43): DBEDT Data Book Table 1.43
- Top Non English Languages (Data Book Table 1.44): DBEDT Data Book Table 1.44
- ʻOkina + Kahakō Guidance: University Of Hawaiʻi Hawaiian Language Considerations
- Hawaiian Diacritics Explained: UH Diacritics Guide
- What Is Pidgin? University Of Hawaiʻi Pidgin Resource
- Hawaiian Dictionary Tool: Wehewehe Wikiwiki (UH Hilo and Ulukau Dictionaries)
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Learning Resources: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Resources
