Accessibility

1. Hiki ke komo i kēia wahi me ka noho ʻōwili?

   Hi-ki ke ko-mo i kē-ia wa-hi me ka no-ho ʻō-wi-li?

   Is this place wheelchair accessible?

   Usage

   Use when checking if a venue is accessible for wheelchair users.

   Grammar Note

   "Hiki ke" is the Hawaiian ability/possibility expression meaning "it is possible to."

2. He ʻeleweka ko ʻoukou?

   He ʻe-le-we-ka ko ʻou-kou?

   Do you have an elevator / lift?

   Usage

   Ask this in hotels or buildings when looking for an elevator.

   Grammar Note

   Modern Hawaiian also uses the loanword "ʻeleweka" (elevator) widely in everyday speech.

3. Makemake au i lumi e kōkua ana i ka poʻe i nāwaliwali.

   Ma-ke-ma-ke au i lu-mi e kō-ku-a a-na i ka po-ʻe i nā-wa-li-wa-li.

   I need a room with accessibility features.

   Usage

   Use at a hotel front desk to request an accessible room.

   Grammar Note

   "e kōkua ana" is a Hawaiian verbal phrase used as a relative clause meaning "that provides support."

4. He ala pōhaku pāpālua anei? He puka komo ʻanuʻu ʻole hoʻi?

   He a-la pō-ha-ku pā-pā-lu-a a-nei? He pu-ka ko-mo ʻa-nu-ʻu ʻo-le ho-ʻi?

   Is there a ramp or step-free entrance?

   Usage

   Ask whether a building has a ramp or step-free entrance.

   Grammar Note

   "anei" is a Hawaiian interrogative particle used to form questions.

5. Aia i hea ka lua e kōkua ana i ka poʻe nāwaliwali?

   Ai-a i he-a ka lu-a e kō-ku-a a-na i ka po-ʻe nā-wa-li-wa-li?

   Where is the accessible restroom?

   Usage

   Use this to locate an accessible restroom.

   Grammar Note

   "Aia i hea" is the Hawaiian question word for "where."

6. ʻAʻole au e ʻike pono — hiki iā ʻoe ke kōkua mai?

   ʻA-ʻo-le au e ʻi-ke po-no — hi-ki i-ā ʻo-e ke kō-ku-a mai?

   I am visually impaired — can you help me?

   Usage

   Inform someone of your visual impairment and request help.

   Grammar Note

   "hiki iā ʻoe ke" is a polite question form meaning "can you...?" in Hawaiian.

7. He papa ʻaina me nā hua palapala nui loa ko lākou?

   He pa-pa ʻai-na me nā hu-a pa-la-pa-la nu-i lo-a ko lā-kou?

   Do you have large-print menus?

   Usage

   Ask at a restaurant when you need a large-print menu.

   Grammar Note

   "nui loa" means "very large" — "nui" is "big/large," "loa" is an intensifier.

8. He alakaʻi leo e loaʻa ana?

   He a-la-ka-ʻi le-o e lo-a-ʻa a-na?

   Are there audio guides available?

   Usage

   Ask at museums or attractions whether audio guides are available.

   Grammar Note

   "e loaʻa ana" uses the imperfective "e...ana" aspect to mean "is available/obtainable."

9. Hoʻohana au i ka mea hoʻolohe pepeiao — e ʻōlelo mālie pono ʻoe.

   Ho-ʻo-ha-na au i ka me-a ho-ʻo-lo-he pe-pe-ia-o — e ʻō-le-lo mā-lie po-no ʻo-e.

   I use a hearing aid — please speak clearly.

   Usage

   Inform someone you use a hearing aid and need them to speak clearly.

   Grammar Note

   The particle "e" marks an imperative/command. "ʻoe" is "you," making it a direct but polite request.

10. Hiki iaʻu ke lawe i koʻu ʻīlio alakaʻi?

    Hi-ki ia-ʻu ke la-we i ko-ʻu ʻī-lio a-la-ka-ʻi?

    Can I bring my service/guide dog?

    Usage

    Ask for permission to enter a venue with a guide or service dog.

    Grammar Note

    "Hiki iaʻu ke" means "I can" — "hiki" is ability, "iaʻu" is "me/I," and "ke" precedes the verb.

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