Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian English Dictionary: A Complete Grammar Study »

An introduction to the Hawaiian language, with 83 lessons in grammar and vocabulary. Includes a Hawaiian-English dictionary.

Preface

In 1854 Lorrin Andrews published his Hawaiian Grammar, a standard work for many years, and even today interesting to all students of the Hawaiian language. It is now out of print, how- ever, and hence difficult to secure.

In 1891 Prof. William D. Alexander published his "Short Synopsis of the Hawaiian Grammar," an excellent work for all students of the language, but not sufficiently complete as a series of lessons for class-work.

In 1930 Mrs. Mary Atcherly wrote "First Book in Hawaiian," which was authorized by the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii and handled by the Hawaiian Board Book Rooms.

In view of the increasing interest in the language of the Hawaiian people, amounting to a renascence in Hawaiiana, it has been felt +,hat a new work in the Hawaiian language, based on modern systems of instruction such as are used in teaching French, Spanish, Italian or German should be prepared for use in class-rooms throughout the islands and also for individual study.

I am grateful to a group of persons interested in the promotion of this book, whose encouragement has meant much to the editor. And I am indebted to earlier works on the subject, especially to Lorrin Andrews and. William D. Alexander, whose books, mentioned above, are most important for any student seeking to perfect himself in the knowledge and use of Hawaiian.

It is the hope that such a rich language as Hawaiian, rich in expressions of feeling and emotion and beautiful in phraseology, may be perpetuated by all those who are interested in Hawaiiana and that thiswork may be helpful in carrying out the ideal of a preserved Hawaiian language.