Hawaii is one of the most welcoming visitor destinations in the world, and, when you’re here, you’re part of our ohana (family). But, if you REALLY want to blend-in like a Hawaii local, try-out some of these popular Hawaiian words and phrases. Even if you don’t pronounce them just right, you’ll still get an “A” for effort!
Let’s start with the basics. Here’s a list of the Days of the Week and their Hawaiian counterparts:
Sunday: Lapule
Monday: Po‘akahi
Tuesday: Po‘alua
Wednesday: Po‘akolu
Thursday: Po‘aha
Friday: Po‘lima
Saturday: Po‘aono
Once you know the Days of the Weeks, try the Months of the Year on for size:
January: ‘Iaunuali
February: Pepeluali
March : Malaki
April: ‘Apelila
May: Mei
June: Iune
July: Iulai
August: ‘Aukake
September: Kepakemapa
October: ‘Okakopa
November: Nowemapa
December: Kekemapa
Holidays in Hawaii are a big deal—a VERY big deal. So, here’s a look at the Hawaiian words for some of the major holidays:
Happy Thanksgiving: Hau‘oli La Ho‘omakika‘i
Happy Holidays: Hau‘oli Lanui
Merry Christmas: Mele Kalikimaka
Happy Hanukkah: Hau‘oli Hanukaha
Happy Kwanzaa: Hau‘oli Kawanaka
Happy New Year: Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year: Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou
Happy Hanukkah and New Year: Hau‘oli Hanukaha me ka Makahiki Hou
Happy Birthday: Hau‘oli la Hanau
Happy Anniversary: Hau‘oli la Ho‘omana‘o
Happy Retirement: Hau‘oli la Ho‘omaha loa
Happy Sweet 16: Hau‘oli Momona ‘Umi Kumaono
Although most of Hawaii’s population speaks English, many locals incorporate a variety of Hawaiian words and phrases into their everyday language. Here are some popular Hawaiian phrases that will have you sounding like a local in no time:
A hui hou kakou: Until we meet again
Aloha kakahiaka: Good morning
Aloha ‘auinala: Good afternooon
Aloha ahiahi: Good evening
Aloha ‘oe:Farewell to you
A‘ole pilikia: No problem, Your welcome
E komo mai: Welcome, come in
Hana Hou!: One more time!
Kipa hou mai: Come visit again
Mahalo: Thank you
Mahalo nui loa: Thank you very much
Malu No: Reserved For
Me ka ‘oia‘i‘o: With sincerity
Mau Loa: Forever
Nau wale no: Just for you
‘O wai kou inoa?: What is your name?
Pomaika‘i: Good Luck
Finally, you’ll REALLY impress the locals if you refer to them by Hawaiian titles. Here a few to try out:
alaka‘i:leader
ali‘i: Hawaiian royalty
‘anakala: uncle
anake: aunt
haumana: student
hoahanau: cousin
hoa kula: classmate
hoaloha: beloved friend
hoapili: close friend
hui: staff, team, group
kahu lio: groom
kahuna: priest
kahuna pule: pastor
kaikamahine: daughter
kaikua‘ana: older brother of a male
kaikaina: younger brother or sister of the same sex
kaiko‘eke: brother in law
kaikua‘ana: older sister of a female
kaikunane:older brother of a male
kaikuahine: sister of a male
kamali‘i:children
kanaka:human
kane: man
kane male:married man
kupunakane: grandfather, grandpa, granpa, grampy, gramps, papa, pops
kupunawahine: grandmother, grandma, granma, granny, grammy, grams, nana
keiki: child, children, kid, kids, offspring
keikikane: son
koa: soldier
kumu: teacher
kapuna: grandparent
ku‘uipo: sweetheart
lawai‘a: fisherman
makamaka: intimate friend
makua:parent
makuahine:mother, mom, mama, mommy
makuakane: father, dad, pa, daddy
mo‘i: royalty, King or Queen
mo’opuna: grandchild
ohana:family
paniolo: cowboy
wahine: woman
wahine makua:sister in law
wahine male:married woman
wahine male hou: bride
So, surprise a local on your next trip to Hawaii by speaking like one!
