Art & Museums

1. Ua ʻae ʻia ka paʻi kiʻi ma ʻaneʻi?

   U-a ʻae ʻia ka pa-ʻi ki-ʻi ma ʻa-ne-ʻi?

   Is photography allowed here?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether photography is permitted in a museum or gallery

   Grammar Note

   Hawaiian is a Polynesian language; "ua ~ ʻia" forms the passive voice

2. ʻOwai ka mea hana noʻeau?

   ʻO-wai ka me-a ha-na no-ʻe-au?

   Who is the artist?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the creator of an artwork

   Grammar Note

   "Noʻeau" means skillful or clever in Hawaiian

3. He aha ka inoa o kēia hana?

   He a-ha ka i-no-a o kē-ia ha-na?

   What is this work called?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the title of an artwork

   Grammar Note

   "He aha ka inoa o ~?" means "What is the name of ~?" in Hawaiian

4. I ka wā hea i kūkulu ʻia ai kēia hale waihona?

   I ka wā he-a i kū-ku-lu ʻia ai kē-ia ha-le wai-ho-na?

   When was this museum built?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the construction date of a museum

   Grammar Note

   "Hale waihona" literally "house for keeping things" — the Hawaiian term for museum

5. He alakaʻi leo ko ʻoukou?

   He a-la-ka-ʻi le-o ko ʻou-kou?

   Do you have an audio guide?

   Usage

   Used to ask about audio guide availability

   Grammar Note

   "Leo" means voice; "alakaʻi leo" means "voice guide" — audio guide

6. Ma hea ka hale kūʻai makana?

   Ma he-a ka ha-le kū-ʻai ma-ka-na?

   Where is the gift shop?

   Usage

   Used to locate the gift shop

   Grammar Note

   "Hale kūʻai makana" = "house to sell gifts"; "makana" means gift

7. Makemake au e kūʻai i kahi paʻi kiʻi o kēia hana noʻeau.

   Ma-ke-ma-ke au e kū-ʻai i ka-hi pa-ʻi ki-ʻi o kē-ia ha-na no-ʻe-au.

   I'd like to buy a print of this artwork.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to purchase a print of an artwork

   Grammar Note

   "Makemake" means "to want" or "to like" in Hawaiian

8. He huakaʻi alakaʻi ko ʻoukou?

   He hu-a-ka-ʻi a-la-ka-ʻi ko ʻou-kou?

   Is there a guided tour?

   Usage

   Used to ask if a guided tour is available

   Grammar Note

   "ko ʻoukou" means "yours (you all, three or more)"; "He ~ ko ʻoukou?" asks "do you have ~?"

9. He aha nā hola wehe o ka hale waihona?

   He a-ha nā ho-la we-he o ka ha-le wai-ho-na?

   What are the museum's opening hours?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the museum's operating hours

   Grammar Note

   "Wehe" means "to open" in Hawaiian

10. He nani ko kēia pena kiʻi.

    He na-ni ko kē-ia pe-na ki-ʻi.

    This painting is beautiful.

    Usage

    Used to express admiration for a painting or artwork

    Grammar Note

    "Nani" is a common Hawaiian adjective meaning beautiful or lovely

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