KA : Aumoku means swim boat. I just wanted to point out how dumb the name is. it could also mean "swim land mass" it doesn't really make sense. I just thought it was interesting. Domain is transportation.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
25913
United States
Pearl City
Another card from local kine cards at Walmart. I don’t even know the purpose of this card. Symbolic synthetic. JAS
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
38969
United States
Honolulu
—
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
47161
United States
Kaneohe
KA : Ohana means family. And family isn't left behind.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
25914
United States
Pearl City
Card meant to be given to someone going away on a trip. Symbolic synthetic. JAS
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
38970
United States
Haiwi
—
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
47162
United States
Kaneohe
KA : Koa Kahiko means "old warrior". Perhaps an old warrior lived on this street? I thought it was a cool name is all. Domain is transportation.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
149051
morenadanti
United States
Haiku-Pauwela
When I went to Nuka in Maui, I noticed right away how the sign uses Japanese writing along with English. Being there in person made me realize how normal multilingualism is in Hawaiʻi. I usually walk past signs without thinking, but this time I actually paid attention to the languages being used. Seeing Japanese on the sign made me think about how many visitors and locals speak it, and how the restaurant wants everyone to feel comfortable. It also showed me that language in public spaces is not just for information it reflects culture, community, and who is included.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
25915
United States
Pearl City
Birthday card from local kine cards. Symbolic synthetic. JAS
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
38971
United States
Hilo
—
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
47163
United States
Kaneohe
KA : Pū'ōhala menas the fruit of the hala. Pū is a very specific Hawaiian word for which there is no good translation but in this case it's like the fruit of the hala tree. The school is also a Hawaiian Immersion school
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
149052
morenadanti
United States
Kihei
When I went to Thai Mee Up in the Kihei location the first thing I noticed was the Thai writing on the food truck. I eaten there before, but I never really stopped to look at the language on the sign. Seeing the Thai script made me think about how many different cultures and languages are part of everyday life in Hawaiʻi. Even something as simple as a food truck becomes a multilingual space. Being there made me pay more attention to how language shows identity, culture, and community, especially in a place as diverse as Maui.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
25916
United States
Pearl City
They’re just saying what they like about Christmas. Symbolic synthetic. JAS
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
38972
United States
Honolulu
—
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
47164
United States
Kaneohe
KA : Puli means nothing. I assume it's someone's name trying to be Hawaiian but it means nothing in Hawaiian. closest is Puliki which is hug. Domain is retail.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
149053
morenadanti
United States
Wailuku
When I took this picture at Pho Saigon in Wailuku, I noticed how the sign and menu include Vietnamese words that I usually don’t pay attention to. Being there made me realize how many languages are around us in Maui without us even thinking about it. The Vietnamese writing shows how important this restaurant is for the local Vietnamese community and anyone who enjoys their food. It also made me think about how language connects people to their culture, even far from home. Seeing Vietnamese used so naturally in public helped me understand how multilingual Hawaiʻi really is.
Multilingual Hawaiʻi
25917
United States
Pearl City
Birthday card. Symbolic synthetic. Full of pidgin first part. Formal English second part. JAS
Lingscape
