Frequently-Used Hawaiian Words Everyone Should Know
The Hawaiian language is made up of 12 letters, 5 vowels (A, E, I, O, U) and 7 consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W), and along with English, is the official language of Hawaii. While you don’t need to learn how to speak Hawaiian if you want to visit, certain words and phrases are commonly used and seen on everything from signs to menus, so it’s helpful to know what they mean. With a great love for the islands, we also use several Hawaiian words when naming our souvenirs.
That sweet Hawaiian sunshine working its magic
Some frequently-used words and phrases spoken in Hawaii include:
- Ahi – Fire, a type of fish (100+ lb yellowfin tuna)
- Aina – That which feeds; island; land
- Aloha – Hello, goodbye, love, compassion
- Broke Da Mouf – Tasty, lip-smacking flavor
- Chee Hoo – A phrase used when happy
- Crip – So good, highest quality, top shelf, also a cannabis variety
- Da Kine – Any kind; used to describe pretty much anything and everything
- Foof – Wow
- Haole – White, foreigner
- Heiau – A Hawaiian temple or place of worship; a sacred place
- Kai – Sea
- Kanaka – A Hawaii native
- Kane – A boy or man; opposite of wahine
- Kapu – Keep out, no trespassing, sacred place
- Leilani – Heavenly flower
- Mahalo – Thank you
- Makai – A directional reference meaning “toward the ocean;” seaward; the opposite of mauka
- Mana – Spiritual energy, healing power; divine; a sacred term for power and strength
- Mauka – A directional reference meaning “toward the mountains;” inland; upland; the opposite of makai
- No’Ka’Oi – The best
- Ohana – Family
- Pakalolo – Quality weed; cannabis
- Pau Hana – Finished, all done, the time after work
- Pono – Righteousness
- Ono – Delicious, good, a type of fish
- Pele – Goddess of volcanoes and fire; the creator of the islands
- Pohaku – A stone; strong building material the Hawaiians used
- Wahine – A girl or woman; opposite of kane