Expert: Malia - 11/23/2008

Question
My daughter's name is Aolani we pronounce it A as in the letter A,the O like the letter then La like law then ni as in knee is this the proper pronunciation?

Answer
not 100 % if you want it really Hawaiian
the A has to be said like a true A, not like in "apple" or "fan" or even "and" but like
"Mama"
the O as in "also", so almost like the letter O but less rounded at the end
the LA as in "falala" more a flat LA than in "law"
the NI as in "knee" is correct


But if you have been calling your child that way, then don't change it now.
Would be awkward I think?

Malia