Hawaiian words I need to know

‘ae

yes

‘āina

Land, earth; especially Hawaiian ancestral land

akua

God, goddess

aloha

Love, affection; greeting, salutation; Hello! Good-­‐bye!

‘a‘ole

No, not

hale

house, building

haole

A non-­‐Native Hawaiian, especially those of Caucasian ancestry (a sensitive word, however, not derogatory)

hapa

Part, half; a reference to those of mixed ancestry

hele

To go

honu

Turtle

hula

The dance of Hawai’i

humuhumunukunukuāpua’a

The state fish; a type of triggerfish

kahakō

A macron indicating a long vowel sound in Hawaiian languageauk

kahu

Guardian, caretaker, pastor

kai

Sea, sea water, seaward direction

kama’āina

Native‐born; acquainted, familiar; commonly refers to a long-­‐time resident of Hawai‘i

kāne

Male

Kapu

Sacred, taboo, forbidden; no trespassing

keiki

Child, offspring

koa

Warrior; a native tree with wood used to build canoes and other valuable items

kuleana

Responsibility; privilege; a traditional land holdings of Native Hawaiiansumuk

kumu

teacher

lānai

Porch, patio, or balcony

lani

Sky, the heavens; also used to refer to ali‘i (chiefs)

lei

Flowers, leaves, shells, or feathers that are strung and/or entwined and given as a symbol of affection

lū’au

Hawaiian feast; edible young leaves of the taro plant

mahalo

Thanks, gratitude, respect

ma kai

Toward the ocean, towards the sea

makana

A gift, present

mālama

To take care of, preserve, protect, maintain

mana’o

Thought, idea, belief, opinion

ma uka

inland, upland, toward the mountains

Menehune

In Hawaiian oral literature, a race of small people who are believed to work during the night building roads, fishponds, and temples

moana

ocean

nalu

wave, surf

nani

beautiful, pretty

nui

Big, large, great, or important

‘ohana

Family, kin group, relative

‘okina

Symbol representing the glottal stop in Hawaiian language; only used in front of vowels

‘ōlelo

Language; speech; to speak, say, tell, converse; oral, verbal

‘ōlelo pa’i’ai

Hawaiian for "Pidgin,” the language linguists call Hawai'i Creole English; also the broken Hawaiian from which Pidgin developed

ono

A type of fish

‘ono

Delicious, tasty, savory; to relish, crave

pua’a

Pig, boar

wahine

Female, woman, lady (unique singular form)

wāhine

Females, women, ladies (unique plural form)

wai

water, usually fresh water

wikiwiki

Fast or speedy

Aloha

Hello, goodbye, love

A hui hou

Until we meet again, goodbye

Aloha Kakahiaka

Good morning

Aloha ‘auinalā

Good afternoon

Aloha ahiahi

Good evening

Aloha ‘āina

Love of the land; demonstrated through nurturing and care

Mahalo

Thank you

Maholo nui loa

Thank you very much

‘A ‘ole pilikia

You’re welcome, no problem

E komo mai

Welcome! Enter

kalo

Taro, a kind of aroid cultivated for food

laulau

A traditional Hawaiian dish containing pork, beef, salted fish, and taro leaves, which is wrapped in tī leaves and is either cooked in an imu or steamed

Poi

The Hawaiian staple food; made from cooked taro, pounded into pa‘i‘ai, then thinned with water

poke

A Hawaiian dish made of raw cubed fish and seasonings; eaten as an appetizer