Essential Hawaiian Words & Phrases for Everyday Use
A Note from the Author: This article was written by someone who is actively learning ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and is not yet fluent. While I've done my best to provide accurate information, please use this as a launching pad for your own learning journey. For more nuanced and in-depth understanding, I encourage you to seek out books, courses, and resources authored by Native Hawaiian speakers and fluent Hawaiian language educators. Mahalo for your understanding!
Now that you understand the basics of Hawaiian grammar and how to use the ʻokina and kahakō, it's time to build your vocabulary! These essential Hawaiian words and phrases will help you communicate with respect, connect with Hawaiian culture, and start incorporating ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi into your daily life.
Greetings & Basic Courtesies
Aloha (ah-LOH-hah)
Hello, goodbye, love, compassion. This is the most well-known Hawaiian word, but it carries much deeper meaning than just a greeting. It represents the spirit of love, peace, and compassion.
Mahalo (mah-HAH-loh)
Thank you. Show your appreciation with this essential word.
Mahalo nui loa (mah-HAH-loh NOO-ee LOH-ah)
Thank you very much. When mahalo alone isn't enough!
ʻAe (AH-eh)
Yes.
ʻAʻole (ah-OH-leh)
No.
E kala mai iaʻu (eh KAH-lah my ee-AH-oo)
Excuse me, I'm sorry.
Pehea ʻoe? (peh-HEH-ah oh-eh)
How are you?
Maikaʻi (my-KAH-ee)
Good, fine.
Maikaʻi nō (my-KAH-ee noh)
Very good, excellent!
Family & Relationships
ʻOhana (oh-HAH-nah)
Family. This includes both blood relatives and chosen family - those you consider close.
Makuahine (mah-koo-ah-HEE-neh)
Mother.
Makua kāne (mah-KOO-ah KAH-neh)
Father.
Keiki (KAY-kee)
Child, children.
Kāne (KAH-neh)
Man, male, husband.
Wahine (wah-HEE-neh)
Woman, female, wife.
Kupuna (koo-POO-nah)
Elder, grandparent, ancestor. Plural: kūpuna (KOO-poo-nah).
Hoaloha (hoh-ah-LOH-hah)
Friend.
Directions & Places
Mauka (MAU-kah)
Toward the mountain, inland. Used for giving directions in Hawaiʻi instead of north/south.
Makai (mah-KAI)
Toward the ocean, seaward.
Hale (HAH-leh)
House, building.
Kai (KAI)
Ocean, sea.
Mauna (MAU-nah)
Mountain.
ʻĀina (AH-ee-nah)
Land, earth. This word carries deep cultural significance about connection to the land.
Food & Dining
ʻAi (AH-ee)
Food, to eat.
ʻOno (OH-noh)
Delicious, tasty.
Inu (EE-noo)
Drink, to drink.
Wai (WAI)
Water.
Poke (POH-keh)
To slice or cut (the dish is named for the preparation method).
Pupu (POO-poo)
Appetizer, snack.
ʻAʻa (ah-AH)
Root, as in taro root.
Nature & Weather
Lā (LAH)
Sun, day.
Mahina (mah-HEE-nah)
Moon, month.
Hōkū (HOH-koo)
Star.
Ua (OO-ah)
Rain.
Makani (mah-KAH-nee)
Wind.
Nalu (NAH-loo)
Wave, surf.
Pua (POO-ah)
Flower, blossom.
Cultural Concepts & Values
Aloha ʻāina (ah-LOH-hah AH-ee-nah)
Love of the land. A deep connection to and respect for the earth.
Kuleana (koo-leh-AH-nah)
Responsibility, privilege, right. Your kuleana is both your duty and your right to care for something.
Pono (POH-noh)
Righteousness, balance, harmony, proper. Living in pono means living in balance and doing what's right.
Mālama (MAH-lah-mah)
To care for, preserve, protect. Often used in mālama ʻāina (care for the land).
Hoʻoponopono (hoh-oh-poh-noh-POH-noh)
To make right, restore harmony. A traditional practice of reconciliation and forgiveness.
Kōkua (KOH-koo-ah)
Help, assistance, cooperation.
ʻIke (EE-keh)
Knowledge, wisdom, understanding.
Mana (MAH-nah)
Spiritual power, divine energy, authority.
Kapu (KAH-poo)
Sacred, forbidden, taboo. Marks something that is off-limits or holy.
Common Phrases
E komo mai (eh KOH-moh my)
Welcome, come in.
A hui hou (ah HOO-ee hoh)
Until we meet again. A common way to say goodbye.
E hoʻomau (eh hoh-oh-MAU)
Keep going, persevere, continue.
Hana hou (HAH-nah hoh)
Do it again, encore!
Pau hana (PAU HAH-nah)
Finished work, end of the work day.
Hele mai (HEH-leh my)
Come here.
Hele aku (HEH-leh AH-koo)
Go away, go there.
Hoʻi (HOH-ee)
Return, go back.
Descriptive Words
Nui (NOO-ee)
Big, large, many.
Liʻiliʻi (lee-ee-LEE-ee)
Small, little.
Nani (NAH-nee)
Beautiful, pretty.
Maikai (my-KAH-ee)
Good.
ʻIno (EE-noh)
Bad, wicked.
Hou (HOH)
New.
Kahiko (kah-HEE-koh)
Old, ancient.
Numbers (1-10)
ʻEkahi (eh-KAH-hee) - One
ʻElua (eh-LOO-ah) - Two
ʻEkolu (eh-KOH-loo) - Three
ʻEhā (eh-HAH) - Four
ʻElima (eh-LEE-mah) - Five
ʻEono (eh-OH-noh) - Six
ʻEhiku (eh-HEE-koo) - Seven
ʻEwalu (eh-WAH-loo) - Eight
ʻEiwa (eh-EE-wah) - Nine
ʻUmi (OO-mee) - Ten
Tips for Using Hawaiian Words Respectfully
1. Pronounce them correctly. Take time to learn proper pronunciation. Mispronouncing words can change their meaning or show disrespect.
2. Understand the meaning. Don't just use words because they sound nice. Know what they mean and use them in appropriate contexts.
3. Use the ʻokina and kahakō. These marks are essential to the language. Using them shows you care about accuracy.
4. Don't overuse or misuse. Sprinkling Hawaiian words randomly into English sentences can come across as appropriation. Use them thoughtfully and appropriately.
5. Learn from Native speakers. Listen to how Native Hawaiian speakers use these words in context.
6. Respect sacred terms. Some words carry deep spiritual or cultural significance. Use them with reverence.
Practice Makes Progress
Start by incorporating a few words into your daily vocabulary. Practice pronunciation by listening to Native Hawaiian speakers through videos, podcasts, or language apps. The more you use these words correctly, the more natural they'll become.
Remember, learning a language is a journey. Every word you learn and use correctly is a step toward honoring and preserving ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
Keep Learning!
This list is just the beginning. Hawaiian has thousands of beautiful words, each carrying layers of meaning and cultural wisdom. Continue your learning journey by:
- Using Hawaiian language apps and dictionaries
- Watching Hawaiian language media
- Taking classes from qualified instructors
- Practicing with language partners
- Reading books by Native Hawaiian authors
E aʻo mau! (Keep learning!)
This is part 4 of our Hawaiian Language Series.
Read Part 1: Supporting the Hawaiian Language Revival