When you visit Maui, you will hear all sorts of Hawaiian words, some are easy to say and remember… but some are definite tongue twisters. Here’s one that will take some practice to wrap your tongue around… but it’s a fun one and will come in handy after a day of snorkeling. It is humuhumunukunukuapua’a and it’s Hawaii’s state fish. It’s a tropical reef trigger fish, and one that you will probably see when you go snorkeling in Maui waters. So, after you come out of the water, you can announce to everyone that you saw a humuhumunukunukuapua’a!!

But, before you go announcing to the world, you’ll have to learn how to say this gigantic word that has more letters than a centipede has legs. I know what you’re thinking, “How the heck am I going to be able to say this one??” Well, actually, after repeating it a few times, it’s actually pretty easy… and, well…. fun! Here’s how you pronounce it: “who-moo-who-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-pooah-ah”. Not so bad, ya? Well, to hear it said in person by a local is key to learning how to say this HUGE word with total ease and Hawaiian finesse. So, when you hop on our shuttle at the airport, don’t be afraid to ask our driver how to say this word! And ask again when you get to our office to pick up your car. Be sure to practice during your stay in Maui, because we just may quiz you later!