There is an article in the new National Geographic that is different from anything I have ever read about Hawaii. It isn't tourist stuff. It's about the original culture, language, and history of the islands. I think I know Hawaii pretty well, and I learned new stuff in every paragraph.

The article reads easier if you have a little knowledge of of the language. Here in the other 49 states we tend to spell it "Hawaii." Over there, it's usually Hawai'i because they say it with a little stop between the two i's. Watch for that in other words. Vowels are pronounced mostly as in Spanish, and each vowel is usually a different syllable. The h is always pronounced, and "kau," a syllable that is found in a lot of words, is pronounced "cow." That's one of the few cases where there are two vowels in a syllable.

So today's assignment, students, is to read the article and give me your thoughts.

Now I have to think up a good reason to go to Hawaii. The next trip will be my 13th. Nope, I'm not superstitious.
Howard