Hawaiian Word of the Week: lā

When we think about planning our vacations, our minds travel to Hawaii. We think about the beach, the lush terrain and “lā” (pronounced: la-ah)* or the sun. 

The sun is key for survival for all living things….plants, living organisms and for us. We equate the sun with positivity and light and why we gravitate and crave being outdoors in the sun. It provides an energy that makes our summer months with its long days so special. I have such fond memories of long summer days and nights on the beach, with ohana and friends…really being in the moment, without thinking of the future or the past. 

In Hawaiian, lā also refers to a ‘day’. A simple “Hau`oli Lā Hānau” (pronounced “how-olee-la-ah-hah-ah-now) or as we know it, “Happy Birthday”, includes our word of the week. 

What does lā mean to you? How does lā make you feel? 

*Grammar bonus: in Hawaiian, you will see a stress over vowels, called a ‘kahakō’(pronounced: kah-hah-ko-o). The kahakō indicates that that vowel should have a longer sound. So think of “la” as “lah” and “lā” to be “laaah”

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