kahakō

Kahakō is a macron, a small line placed above a vowel in Hawaiian words, indicating that the vowel should be held or extended in pronunciation. It affects the rhythm and meaning of words, as many Hawaiian words are distinguished by vowel length. Proper use of kahakō preserves the language’s pronunciation and cultural significance. For example, the word "kāka" (with a kahakō over the first vowel) is different from "kaka" without it. Its inclusion respects traditional pronunciation and helps convey correct meaning and emphasis in Hawaiian language.