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'aina - The land, earth.
Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono. -
"The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness..." (Hawaii's state motto)
ali'i - Ancient Hawaiian royalty.
'au'au - To bathe or take a shower.
(i.e: I want to 'au'au after working all day)
ewa - An area west of Honolulu. Used as a directional term. (i.e: Go ewa on H-1)
hala - The pandanus tree whose leaves are woven into mats, baskets and hats.
halau - A place or area designation usually used for hula instruction and most often used to refer to hula groupes. (i.e: Our halau is dancing at the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition this year)
hale - House or Home. (i.e: Let's go to your hale and watch TV)
haole - Original meaning "foreigner". Now commonlu used to describe caucasians.
hihiwai - An endemic grainy snail found in both fresh and brackish waters of Hawaii.
ho'oponopono - To correct or make right.
hui - An association or group of people. Often used to describe a family.
hukilau - A net or to fish with a net.
hula - The traditional Hawaiian dance form.
huli - To turn or flip over.
humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua'a - The Hawaii state fish whose nose is shaped like a pig.
imu - An underground oven. (i.e: The kalua pig at our luau was cooked in an imu)
kahuna - A priest, minister or expert in any field. (i.e: The kahuna was asked to bless our new home)
kahuna lapa'au - A healer or doctor.
kai - Sea or place near the sea.
kalua - The process of baking in an underground pit or oven. Often used to describe cooked pig served at a luau. (i.e: The kalua pig at our luau was cooked in an imu)
kama'aina - Meaning local or native-born. Also used to describe longtime Island residents.
kane - Man or men. (i.e: The kane surf meet will be at noon today)
keiki - Child or children. (i.e: bring your keiki to the beach with us today)
kiawe - Name of a tree like mesquite, which is often used for Hawaiian barbecue.
kokua - Help or Assist. (i.e: We would appreciate your kokua at the luau tonight.
koloa - A Hawaiian duck now considered to be an endangered species.
kukui - The Candlenut tree whose nuts contain an oil used by ancient Hawaiians for lighting fires. (i.e: Someone gave us a beautiful kukui nut lei at the airport today)
kuleana - Designates a small piece of land or property.
kumu hula - Instructor or Teacher of Hawaiian dance. (i.e: Our kumu hula will be attending our hula performance this evening)
la'au lapa'au - A Medicine for healing.
laua'e - A fragrant fern whose pieces were often strung together to make pandanus leis.
laulau - A combination of pork, beef, chicken and fish wrapped in luau leaves and steamed.
lei - A necklace usually made of flowers. (i.e: All of us received leis at the luau this evening)
liliko'i - Passion fruit used in Hawaiian desserts and beverages. (i.e: We ordered liliko'i juice with breakfast)
lokahi - Meaning Unity or to blend opposites.
lomilomi - Hawaiian Massage. (i.e: I enjoyed my lomilomi at the beach this afternoon.
lua - Bathroom, comode, or toilet. (i.e: The lua is located on the westside of the golf course)
luna - A foreman, boss or supervisor. (i.e: The luna will meet us at the worksite this morning)
mahalo - Thank you.
makai - Towards the ocean. Usually used in giving directions. (i.e: To get to your hotel, turn right on Beach Street then head makai)
mahimahi - A Hawaiian fish. Very popular good eating fish served throughout the islands.
malihini - A newcomer or visitor.
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learn hawaiian word phrase translations navigation index
mauka - Towards the mountains. Usually used in giving directions. (i.e: To get to your hotel, turn right on Beach Street then head mauka)
ohana - Family. (i.e: We'll be with ohana during the holidays)
ono - Meaning delicious, tasty, yummy.
(i.e: The luau dessert was ono)
ono-licious - Poularly used half Hawaiian, half English expression known as "hapa haole" meaning wonderfully delicious..!
opae - Hawaiian Shrimp. (.e: We saw some opae at the Marina today)
opakapaka - Hawaiian Blue snapper Fish. (i.e: We had the opakapaka served with hot Hawaiian pineapple for lunch today)
opihi - Limpets. Like tiny clams that are found on shoreline rocks and usually eaten raw.
opu - Tummy or stomach. (i.e: My opu got pink at the beach today)
pau - Done, finished. (Yep, we're all pau with that project)
pau hana - Done or finished with work. (It's pau hana time. Let's go to the beach)
pikake - A small, white, very fragrant Hawaiian flower. (I got you a pikake lei for your graduation party tonight)
piko - Belly button or navel. (i.e: Your piko's ready to contemplate now)
pipi kaula - Beef salted and dried in the sun like jerky. Usually broiled before eaten.
pohaku - A Rock or stone.
poi - A Hawaiian food staple made from cooked taro plants.
poke - Raw fish chunks mixed with seaweed.
po'okela - The Best, supreme, utmost.
pua'a - A pig or hog.
pupus - Hawaiian appetizers. (i.e: Serve the pupu's with crackers and tea please)
tutu - Hawaiian Grandmother.
ukulele - A musical Hawaiian stringed instrument which looks like a small guitar.
ulua - A Hawaiian fish popular for eating.
ulu maika - Stone used in playing the maika game (Hawaiian bowling).
umeke - Bowl, calabash or gourd made of wood.
wahine - Woman or women. (The wahine in Hawaii are really quite friendly) | 
