House to House – Hawaiian Language Ministry Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms, expressions, and phrases used in Hawaiian house-to-house conversations and Bible discussions.

Aloha! Pehea 'oe?

Hello! How are you doing today?

Kaiāulu

Neighborhood (as in "nā kānaka o ke kaiāulu," meaning people in the neighborhood).

Hoalauna

Neighbors (from "ko mākou mau hoalauna").

He aha kāu e ʻimi nei?

"What are you looking for?"

No ke aha?

"Why?"

ʻŌlelo o koʻu puʻuwai

Language of my heart.

Nūhou maikaʻi

Good news (as in "nūhou maikaʻi mai ke Akua mai," meaning good news from God).

Ka Hoʻololi ʻAna i ke Kūkākūkā Baibala

Transition Into the Bible Discussion.

Tareka (pepa liʻiliʻi)

A short Bible tract (small paper) that helps answer basic questions about God, the Bible, and future promises.

Kupaianaha kēlā!

"That’s awesome!"

Kūikawā

Special (as in "He mea kūikawā kēlā!," meaning "That’s special!").

Puni au i kēlā!

"I love that!"

Kumu

Teacher (e.g., "kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi" means a Hawaiian language teacher).

ʻOhana

Family.

Mākaukau

Fluent, prepared, or comfortable in speech (as in "ʻaʻole au mākaukau loa i ka ʻōlelo ʻana," meaning "I’m not fluent").

ʻAʻohe pilikia!

"That’s okay!" or "Oh, no worries!"

E pili ana i ka Paʻi

Transition to the Publication.

Paʻahana

Busy (as in "he paʻahana ʻoe," meaning "you are busy").