Hawaiian Phrases You Should Know

Courtesies • aloha :: hello, good-bye, (expresses sincerity); love • aloha kakahiaka :: good morning • aloha auina la :: good afternoon • aloha ahiahi :: good evening • a hui hou :: until we meet again • e komo mai :: welcome • kala mai ia`u :: excuse me • mahalo :: thank you • maika`i :: I am fine • pehea `oe? :: how are you? • Mele Kalikimaka :: Merry Christmas • Hau`oli Makahiki Hou :: Happy New Year Common words • `A`ole :: no • `Ae :: yes • akamai :: smart • hana hou :: repeat, do again, twice • hapa :: half • lani :: beautiful • pau :: finished, "it's over" Which way? • kona :: leeward side of an island • makai :: towards the ocean • mauka :: towards the mountains, inland • `Ewa :: on Oahu it means "to the west" People • brah :: brother, man • haole :: a Caucasian person • kama`aina :: native born person of Hawaii • kane :: man • keiki :: child • Local :: a person whose roots are in Hawaii because either they were raised in Hawaii, or they are native Hawaiians • luna :: boss-man • malihini :: a newcomer who lives in Hawaii • ohana :: family • pake :: Chinese • paniolo :: cowboy • tita :: tough woman • tutu :: grandmother • wahine :: woman

Lava • `a`a :: jagged, sharp-edged lava • pa`hoehoe :: smooth, unbroken flows of lava • Pele :: Hawaiian volcano goddess Hawaiian tradition • ali`i :: chief, nobility • kapu :: forbidden (taboo) • kahuna :: expert, master • heiau :: temple, sacred site • hula :: a narritive form of dance, motions emphasize the mele`s words • imu :: underground oven • lu`au :: a feast • mele :: a song, a chant • mana :: spirit • pono :: done correctly, righteous, honest and sincere Modern Hawaiian • bento :: box lunch • bumbye :: eventually • hapa :: half • hele :: to go, come, walk, • holoholo :: a stroll, a ride • kai :: ocean • kapu :: taboo • koa :: koa tree • loco moco :: common lunch food; rice, burger, gravy, egg • lolo :: crazy • malama :: care • no ka `oi :: "is the best" • `ono :: delicious • okole :: buttocks • pu`pu :: appetizers, hors d' oeuvres • saimin :: tasty soup broth with long-noodles and assorted vegetables and/or fish, etc. • shaka :: hand gesture means "no cares," "thanks," or a friendly smile. Opposite of the "bird." (Make a fist, stick out your thumb and pinky and waggle at your friend with a smile. • stink eye :: staring confrontatiionally or angrily at someone. • talking stink :: telling malicious stories about someone.