This cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. You must solve the puzzle to find the cache. A reminder that geocaching is intended to be entertaining and fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re under no obligation to play!
Since there was no written Hawaiian language when missionaries first arrived at the Islands in the 1820’s, they came up with one and created the Hawaiian alphabet: vowels A, E, I, O, and U, and consonants H, K, L, M, N, P, and W. Consonants are pronounced like they are in English, except that W is sometimes pronounced as V. For example, the traditional pronunciation of Hawai`i is phonetically pronounced huh-vi-ee rather than huh-why-ee.
Vowels may have a bar directly over them, called a kahakō. It means the vowel is pronounced by stressing the vowel sound, or holding it slightly longer. Vowels are spoken as follows:
A – pronounced as in ah if stressed, or about if not stressed
E – pronounced as in may if stressed, or met if not stressed
I – pronounced as in bee
O – pronounced as in no
U – pronounced as in moon
Sometimes the sounds of two vowels flow together. Called diphthongs, they are: ae, ai, ao, au, ei, eu, oi, and ou. Unlike many English diphthongs, the second vowel in a Hawaiian diphthong is always pronounced. Examples: kai is pronounced kigh, lei is pronounced lay, and hau is pronounced how.
Glottal stops are represented by a backwards apostrophe-like symbol called an `okina and indicate a quick pause in a word, like when you say “uh-oh” to shown concern.
A consonant in the Hawaiian language is always followed by a vowel, and all syllables end with vowels. Breaking down words into individual syllables makes pronouncing them easier. And it helps to recognize that many longer words repeat syllables. For example, the name of the Hawaiian state fish, humuhumunukunukuapua`a, breaks down into the syllables hu-mu-hu-mu-nu-ku-nu-ku-a-pu-a-a. Phonetically, it’s pronounced as who-moo-who-moo-new-coo-new-coo-a-poo-a-ah. Pronouncing Hawaiian takes some effort at first, but it’s fun once you get the hang of it.
One of the most surprising things we discovered the first time we visited Hawai‘i was how frequently we encountered Hawaiian words and phrases. They’re part of business and street names, found on restaurant menus, and spoken in everyday conversations. Listed below are some common Hawaiian words a first-time visitor is likely to see or hear, followed by their English translations. Match up the Hawaiian words with their English equivalents, and then use the results to figure out the cache coordinates.
Hawaiian English
Aloha Thank you
`Ono Welcome
Pūpū Ocean, sea
Mahalo Delicious
Kama`āina House, building
Hale Hello, goodbye, love
Kai Hawai`i resident; a local
E komo mai Appetizer
Solve for the coordinates:
A = Number of vowels in Hawaiian word for hello
B = Add number of letters in Hawaiian words for thank you and ocean
C = Number of consonants in Hawaiian word for house
D= Add number of letters and number of `okina in word for delicious
E = Add number of letters and number of kahakō in Hawaiian word for someone who lives in Hawai`i
F = Number of p’s in Hawaiian word for building
G = Number of letters in Hawaiian word for appetizer
H = Number of m’s in Hawaiian phrase for welcome
I = Number of letters in Hawaiian word for love
J = Number of vowels in Hawaiian word for sea
The final cache is at N 46° AB.CDE W 112° FG.HIJ
BYOP There’s a small contribution toward a Hawaiian vacation fund for FTF.
The area can sometimes have a fair amount of activity, so please use discretion to avoid muggles. The cache is accessible without removing it from its hiding place – just slide the outer covering upwards to reveal the container. When returning the container, twist only until it stops to prevent over tightening. If you do remove the cache, please return it to its exact hiding spot. Mahalo!
You can check your answer at
GeoChecker.com.