'AHI
Tuna, especially yellow-fin tuna. Tuna is often served raw as "Poke" (Hawaiian), or as "Sashimi" (Japanese).

ALI'I
chief, chiefess, king, queen, noble. Hawaiian nobility.

ALOHA
Like many Hawaiian words, "Aloha" has a variety of meanings. As a greeting it means "Hello" or "Goodbye". When used as a noun it means, Compassion, Mercy, Love, Lover, Grace or Kindness. As an adjective it can mean, Beloved, Kind or Charitable. As a verb it means "To Love", "To have Pity" or "To Venerate". When doubled as in; "Alohaloha", it means, "To make Love", express Gratitude, Affection, Compassion or to "Give Thanks".

HALE (also see: )
A house or building as in; "Haleakala" (House of the Sun).

HANA
"Work""as in; "Pau Hana" (finished work). Also the name of a popular town on Hawaiian Island of Maui.

HAOLE (also see: hau'oli )
Caucasian, American or English. Can mean any foreigner. Also the anme of non-indigineous plants of foreign origin.

HAU'OLI
To be "Happy, glad or joyful" as in;
"Hau'oli Makahiki Hou" meaning; "Happy New Year..!" or
"Hau'oli Lahanau" meaning; "Happy Birthday..!"

HAUPIA
Coconut cream pudding, made famous as a staple at Hawaiian picnics.

HEIAU
An ancient religious Hawaiian site.

HEMO
To remove or take off.

HOU
Again, new, fresh or more. A HUI HOU
"Till we meet again..."

HUI
Club, association or gathering of people. Also can mean to join, unite, introduce or meet someone.

HULA
Traditional Hawaiian dance distained by the early missionaries but revived by King Kalakaua and performed widely throughout the world and featured acroos all the Hawaiian Islands today. Traditionally a slow dance involving the hands which are used to tell a story.

hawaiian language words directory

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUPUA'A
Hawaii's popular State Fish also known as the "Reef Triggerfish". To pronouce it phonetically, it's "two Humu's", "two Nuku's, followed by a "pua'a".

KAI
Sea, Sea water or area near the Ocean. Also the name of a Hawaiian Fish as well as used to designated a famous district east of Honolulu known as; "Hawai'i Kai".

KALUA
Using Pig in Hawaiian cuisine by the shredded of pork wrapped in "Ti" leaves and cooked in an underground earth-oven called an "Imu", with the aid of pre-heated volcanic rocks water. Kalua is traditionally the main food at any Hawaiian Luau.

KAMA'AINA
"Born of the Land". A Host, native, or of local origin. To be acquainted or familiar with. An important part of Hawaiian culture and native traditions. Being a "Kama'aina", doesn't necessitate one having to be born in Hawaii. It's interpreted more as an individuals attitude about the land, people and lifestyle of the Hawaiian Islands.

TAPA
A bark-based tree cloth that ancient Hawaiians used in making their clothes, sails and as a type of fabric for many household purposes.

KAPU
Taboo, forbidden or sacred. Posted on someone's gate or property it means: "No Tresspassing".

TI
A plant with long, broad leaves which has always been very important in the Hawaiian culture. It has and still is used for clothes, cooking, making leis, wrapping packages, and as a key ingredient in Hawaiian traditional medicine.

KOMO
To enter or go in. To join a class, group or organization.

KU (also see: Lono, Pele)
A Tahitian god who sometimes appears in Hawaiian legends.

KUKUI
Meaning "Light". It is also the name of Hawaii's State Tree, better known as the "Candlenut tree". The burning of the nuts of this tree provided the early Hawaiians with light and they still provide oil and are used for medicinal purposes today. The Kukui tree is considered an ostentatious display of wealth and good fortune.

LANI
Heaven, spiritual, or majesty as in: 'Iolani" Palace.

HALEKULANI
"House of Heaven" or Hotel.

LEI
A closed or open garland or wreath of flowers, leaves, shells, ivory, feathers, nuts, beads, paper or other materials worn around the neck or on the head. To put a lei on someone. A beloved child, sibling, spouse or sweetheart (because children are often carried on the shoulders with their legs draped down on both sides like a lei). Leis are very important in Hawaiian culture and there is a complicated ettiquette associated with them. "Never" refuse one. Never give a "Closed" lei to a pregnant woman, as this is considered extremely bad-luck towards the unborn child.

LOA
Far, distance, length, height (Mauna Loa) very, very much (Mahalo Nui Loa)

LONO (also see: Ku, Pele)
A Hawaiian god whom Captain Cook was mistaken for on his first visit, to the captain's great short-term benefit and eventual undoing.

LOMI
To rub, press, massage. Lomilomi salmon is salt cured salmon that has been soaked and "massaged" (to get rid of some of the salt) then chopped up and mixed with chopped tomatoes, green and white onions. Goes great with poi. Traditional fare at a luau.

LUA
A hole, pit, grave, or crater. A lua is a hole that has a bottom, contrasted with a puka which is a perforation. Also: a toilet.

LUAU (also see: lua, Kalua, pig, lomilomi, salmon
A traditional Hawaiian feast which usually features Pig slow cooked underground. A local favorite and very popular tourist attraction in Hawaii.

MAHALO
Thank You... As in; "Mahalo Nui Loa", meaning "Thank you very much..."

MAHI MAHI (also see: nai'i)
A Hawaiian fish, small dolphin like in appearance. A favorite fish to eat and served at most restaurants in the Hawaiian Islands.

MAKAI (also see: mauka)
Toward the sea, ocean or downslopes.

MALIHINI
Stranger or newcomer. Someone who isn't a "Kama'aina" or of local origin.

MANA
Spiritual or supernatural power.

MAUKA (also see: makai)
Toward the inland, hills, upslopes or mountain area. Can be frequently heard on Hawaiian Weather Reports as in the island phrase; "Windward and Mauka showers".

MU'U MU'U
Cut off, or made short. A loose gown, so called because in their haste to get the ladies covered up, the missionaries designed them without a yoke so they could be made faster. Today Mu'u Mu'u dresses are among the most popular evening apparel for women. Designs range from casual to very formal and elaborate. Customarily worn on Friday's in Hawaii to celebrate the "Aloha Spirit" and traditionally has a flower print design.

hawaiian language words directory

NAI'I
Porpoise and/or Dolphin.

NENE
The Hawaii State Bird also known as the Hawaiian goose and related to the Canada Goose. Once endangered, it is now recovering with populations growing slowly on on The Big Island and Maui. It has adapted itself to life in the harsh lava country by transforming its webbed feet into a claw-like shape and modifying its wing structure for shorter flights. Hunting and wild animals almost destroyed this species until they were protected by law and a restoration project established in 1949.

NUI
Much, big, alot as in; "Mahalo Nui Loa" (Thank You very much) or "Aloha Nui" (Much Love).

'OHANA
Family, relatives, to be related as in; "'Ohana nui" menaing "Extended family or clan". Also used to describe a team, fellowship or community.

'OKOLE
The buttocks. Can be used as a compliment of in a derrogatory way just as in English.

'OLELO
To speak, use words, speech, talking, language as in; "'Olelo Hawai'i", (the Hawaiian language)

'ONO
Good, delicious. Frequently used in the half Hawaiian half English slang term; "Ono-licious" (Ono & Delicious).

PAHOEHOE (also see: 'a'a-)
A smooth unbroken ropey formation of lava, compared with 'A'a which is chunky. 'A'a and Pahoehoe are Hawaiian words which have been adopted by geologists around the world to refer to specific types of lava formation.

PAKALOLO
"Crazy-Weed", numbing tobacco, other wise known as marijuana.

PAKE
China, or Chinese.

PALI
Meaning "Cliff" as in the "Na Pali Coast": ("Cliffs along the Coastline"), cliffs of Kauai or the "Pali Lookout" on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu.

PAU
Finished, all done, As in: "Pau Hana" (finished work).

PELE (also see: Ku, Lono)
Red-eyed Hawaiian Goddess of the Volcano(s), said to reside in Kilauea, the currently active Volcano on "The Big Island of Hawaii".

POHA
To burst out, crack open, or break forth. Also known as the Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), which is often used as a jam.

POI
Hawaiian cuisine made of taro root (locally grown) and pounded into a paste. Poi ferments as it ages and is considered best if it is at least 4- hours old. It is considered a bland side-dish for eating with salted food and fish as well as a food staple of many people in Hawai'i. Its taste is frequently compared humorously to that of wallpaper paste. Usually in short supply because of high demand and limited cultivation.

PU PU
Snail or appetizer. Formerly the fish, chicken or bananna served with kava.

ULUA
Giant trevally, pampano or jackfish. A favorite sporting and edible fish in Hawaiian waters.

WAHINE
Female, woman or wife. Also the name of some of Hawaii's Sports and Athletic teams.