Did you know that the Hawaii state fish is the humuhumunukunukuapua’a? It’s pronounced “who-moo-who-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-pooah-ah.” I challenge anyone to say it ten times fast. And no, there is no reward if you manage to do it.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a can attack when annoyed. There is no word on whether they are tasty, but I’ve never seen one on a menu so they probably aren’t.
In Virginia, where I live, the state fish is the brook trout. (Seven other states also claim the brook trout as their state fish.) I’ve read that brookies are tasty. There is even a website called Eat More Brook Trout.
But back to the humuhumunukunukuapua’a. For some reason it amuses me to write the name humuhumunukunukuapua’a.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Ha-ha.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Ha-ha-ha-ha.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Sorry.
If you can’t pronounce the name, just say humuhumu for short.
I bet native Hawaiians made up a gibberish name when the first Europeans arrived on the islands. I can see it now … a European approaches a small huddle of native Hawaiians who also happen to enjoy playing jokes on naïve Europeans.
European guy: “What do you call that fish?”
Hawaiian guy thinks, winks at the other Hawaiians. “We call it … humuhumunukunukuapua’a.”
European guy: “Uh, thanks. I’d better write that down. Can you spell it?”
Hawaiian guy chokes back a giggle, says “Just like it sounds,” and walks away to grins from the other Hawaiians.
And just like that, the fish had a name.
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