'Hawaii' or 'Havaii?

Hawaii or Havaii*
These two persons are discussing whether the state of Hawaii is pronounced 'Havaii,' or 'Hawaii.'
So there they stood arguing and arguing, until they decided to ask a person that was walking by. So they asked a gentleman: 'Excuse me sir, is Hawaii pronounced 'Hawaii' or 'Havaii?''
The gentleman said, 'Havaii.'
So they both looked at each other, and as the gentleman was leaving, one
of the two said to him, 'Thank you.'
The gentleman replied by saying, 'Your velcome.'
Originally published December 01, 2003.