Meet the Hawaiian Words Team!
Hawaiian Words.com was truly motivated by my love of the Hawaiian culture, island beauty, and lifestyle. Many of my patients in Kona are prominent, native, Hawaiians which gives me an interesting perspective. I have recorded their voices as they speak the Hawaiian words and phrases included here, so we can ‘preserve their voices’ for future generations to hear.
Many people have offered to contribute, and I will include a short bio here of everyone who participates. We first moved to Hawaii Island in 2002 in the Kona District and immediately felt as though we belonged here. My wife began a Hawaiian vacation rental business, and I developed her website. She became annoyed when I kept suggesting items that we might add. Finally, she told me “why don’t you just do your own website”. So, I did and this is the product. People seem to be fascinated by the Hawaiian islands and cannot get enough information.
David Kwiat – Owner and Operator
David Kwiat was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1955, and graduated from Mattawan High School in 1973. After graduation from Kalamazoo College in 1977, he married the former Carole Ann Watts and moved to Oklahoma City where he attended the University of Oklahoma for the next 11 years. He received a Master’s Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1980 and a Medical Degree in 1985. After completing residency in Internal Medicine at the OU Health Sciences Department, he moved to Shelbyville, IL, (where Carole’s parents lived) and started a private medical practice (in a very rural area!). After fourteen years of private practice, he moved to the Island of Hawaii where he has worked at the Kaiser Kona clinic since 2002. David enjoys working on and with computers and has been Carole’s personal web site designer (the benefits are great!).
David and Carole have three grown children, Jeff, Jason, and Chelsea.
We have been living our dream since moving to Hawaii. One of our favorite pastimes is to sit on our lanai overlooking our coffee trees and the ocean from 1700 ft elevation on Hualalai. We enjoy photography and diving (try it–it’s amazing even if you’re scared to death to think of doing it!). We have a great appreciation for the Hawaiian culture and hope to share paradise with everyone who has the same dreams…
Kaumana Barton – Hawaiian Voice
Aloha Kakou! My name is W. Kaumana Barton. I had the privilege of doing the pronunciations many of the Hawaiian words and phrases. I love the Hawaiian language and feel that it is one of our strongest links to our ancestors. Thank you for clicking on the “hear it” links and listening to a few words in the melodic Hawaiian language.
And now a little bit about myself, I am a native Hawaiian living in Kona on the Big Island with my wife and two boys. I have minored in Hawaiian Studies with a focus on Hawaiian Language at Brigham Young University – Hawaii. I was privileged to study under Ke Kumu ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i ‘o Kamoa’e Walk. I have worked as a Hawaiian language consultant doing translation work throughout my university studies. I am happy to say that I am a keeper of the Hawaiian language and I encourage all to learn. I continue to share Hawaiian culture whenever and where ever I can.
Jessica Kaikaina – Hawaiian Voice
Jessica Kaikaina contributed to the Hawaiian Words of Love page with her beautiful voice.
