ALOHA!

If you are planning your first trip to Hawaii, how can you impress people when you are in Hawaii?!

By being like, “Snorkeling was so great today! And, I saw the Hawaii state fish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa!”

😂😂😂

Of course, in order for this to be true, you need to go snorkeling, and then actually see it!

But, even though it’s a long name for a fish, humuhumunukunukuapuaa isn’t as difficult to pronounce as you may think! More below!

The Hawaiian language way of writing it is humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a.

This is also called the reef triggerfish, and it’s also the state fish of Hawaii!

So, you could also say, “I went snorkeling today and saw the Hawaii state fish, the reef triggerfish.” But, that’s just not as fun, is it?! 🤪

 

humuhumunukunukuapuaa. hawaiian reef triggerfish. hawaii state fish. hawaii snorkeling tips. oahu. maui. big island. kauai
📌 Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! 👈📌

 

where to see humuhumunukunukuapuaa in hawaii. where to see reef triggerfish in hawaii. hawaii state fish. swimming, snorkeling in hawaii, waikiki, honolulu, oahu, maui, big island, kona, kauai, lanai. hawaii travel blog

 

The reef triggerfish isn’t so common that you are guaranteed to see it when snorkeling in Hawaii, but you do have a good chance of seeing it.

So, as long as you look at pictures of the humuhumunukunukuapuaa online before you go snorkeling, you will know when you see it!

Look: Waikiki Aquarium reef triggerfish 👀

The reef triggerfish is a much more vibrant orange color online than I got pictures of. 😜

 

where to see humuhumunukunukuapuaa in hawaii. where to see reef triggerfish in hawaii. hawaii state fish. swimming, snorkeling in hawaii, waikiki, honolulu, oahu, maui, big island, kona, kauai, lanai. hawaii travel blog

 

When snorkeling in Hawaii, I saw the humuhumunukunukuapuaa several times before I actually was able to get a video of it.

This is to say, I saw it swimming around on several occasions while snorkeling on Oahu in the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District, so it’s not a rarity!

 

humuhumunukunukuapuaa in waikiki, honolulu, oahu, hawaii. reef triggerfish. hawaii state fish. swimming, snorkeling in hawaii, waikiki, oahu, maui, big island, kona, kauai, lanai. hawaii travel blog

 

The reef triggerfish doesn’t seem to stay in one place for long.

It seemed like it was always swimming away!

This is unlike some other fish that it seemed like they at least stayed in the same general area long enough for me to see it, put my head above water, fumble around with the phone that’s in my waterproof phone case, and then go back underwater to be able to find the same fish again, and take a video of it! 😂

With the reef triggerfish, it was a bit more difficult.

 

 

 

How to pronounce humuhumunukunukuapua’a

So back to impressing people by being able to pronounce humuhumunukunukuapua’a.

Or maybe you just want to impress yourself.

Like, you’re snorkeling, and you see a humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and then you’re like “Oh! It’s a humuhumunukunukuapua’a!”

And then you’re like, Wow! I’m quite impressed with myself that I could say that!

😂

Seriously, this happened to me exactly. 😂

So again, it’s actually not as difficult to say as you might think.

If you break up the word, then you will find that there are some repeats.

How is how to make it easy to pronounce humuhumunukunukuapua’a:

  • humu-humu (hoo-moo-hoo-moo)
  • nuku-nuku (noo-koo-noo-koo)
  • a-pu-a-a (ah-poo-ah-ah)

So, you can say it one line at a time:

  • First say humuhumu
  • Then say nukunuku
  • Then say the final apua‘a!

Practice that a few times…

And then now say it all at once with no pause!

And practice that a few times!

And then you are ready to impress people when you are in Hawaii!

Or even at home!

You can be like, I can’t wait to go snorkeling in Hawaii and see a humuhumunukunukuapuaa! 😂

 

Practice a few more times! Watch the video on how to pronounce…errr… sing… humuhumunukunukuapua’a! 😂

 

🐠

 



📌 Pin this post for later! Save on Pinterest! 👈📌

 

 

where to see humuhumunukunukuapuaa in hawaii. where to see reef triggerfish in hawaii. hawaii state fish. swimming, snorkeling in hawaii, waikiki, honolulu, oahu, maui, big island, kona, kauai, lanai. hawaii travel blog

You can watch the humuhumunukunukuapua‘a reef triggerfish Hawaii video on youtube. Also watch the Oahu video playlist on youtube!

 

where to see humuhumunukunukuapuaa in hawaii. where to see reef triggerfish in hawaii. hawaii state fish. swimming, snorkeling in hawaii, waikiki, honolulu, oahu, maui, big island, kona, kauai, lanai. hawaii travel blog

where to see humuhumunukunukuapuaa in hawaii. where to see reef triggerfish in hawaii. hawaii state fish. swimming, snorkeling in hawaii, waikiki, honolulu, oahu, maui, big island, kona, kauai, lanai. hawaii travel blog

 

And that’s a bit about the reef triggerfish in Hawaii!

 

More snorkeling:

 

HAPPY SEEING THE HAWAII STATE FISH!

 

humuhumunukunukuapuaa. hawaiian reef triggerfish. hawaii state fish. hawaii travel tips. oahu. maui. big island. kauai

📌 Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! 👈📌

Plan your day on Oahu!


Here are some popular activities you need to know about to get some very-Hawaii experiences! Read the reviews on the partner websites listed below!

🐢 You can swim with turtles in Waikiki!
Read the reviews for the turtle canyon tour on viator and the turtle canyon tour on getyourguide.

🌺 Eat Hawaiian food at a luau with a fire show! Have a look at the Mauka Warriors Luau or the Toa Luau.

🐠 Here are things you must consider packing for Hawaii!
You can find these things on Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate.


I also don't go snorkeling in Hawaii without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.

Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.

There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.