Hawaiian Words

mountain

mauna

shell, shellfish, a small bite, an appetizer

pupu

sea, saltwater

kai

ocean (wide, deep)

moana

towards the sea

makai

inland, towards the mountain

mauka

island, district

moku

sky, heavens

lani

long

loa

white, clear, shiny

kea

big, large, great

nui

little, small

iki

leeward

kona

smooth, ropey lava rock

pahoehoe

rough, porous lava rock

a’a

rock pile, alter, cairn

ahu

hill

pu’u

the land

‘aina

(sea) turtle

honu

taboo

kapu

taro patch

lo’i

woman

wahine

man

kane

child

keiki

white foreigner

haole

house

hale

“to cut”, raw seafood

poke

taro paste

poi

greeting, goodbye, hello, love, caring

aloha

help, assistance, cooperation

kokua

rascal, mischievous, wild, transgressive

kolohe

newcomer, novice

malahini

water, liquid

wai

done, finished, see you later

pau

work, craft, trade

hana

delicious, good to eat

ono

right, righteous, good

pono

slow witted

lolo

thank you, admiration

mahalo

smart, clever, expert

akamai

door, hole (for depositing umbilicus)

puka