Basic Conversational Hawaiian

Hawaiian Language Beginner Lessons

Ka Papa Kuhikuhi ~ Table of Contents

1.

Basic Conversational Hawaiian

2.

Idioms, Catch Phrases, Expletives &

Interjections
Greetings / Salutations
Pleasantries
"Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About
You..."
Talking About the Weather
Closing Statements
Conversational Acknowledgments (Instead of
Hmmhmmm, Uh-huh, and Nods)
Conversational Q&As: Questions and Answers

Do's and Don'ts

The Do's (Commands/Imperatives)

The Don'ts

3.

Hawaiian Hospitality

4.

Hawaiian Gift-giving

5.

Time: Days, Months, and Seasons

6.

Sounds in Hawaiian:

Human Speech
Human Sounds
Animal Sounds

Water Sounds

7.

Food and Eating:

Breakfast Foods
Drinks / Beverages
Condiments
Meat / Poultry / Seafood / Etc.
Carbohydrates
Dairy Products
Produce
Desserts & Sweets

Tablesetting

8.

Toiletries / Household Items & Furniture:

Toiletries
Bathroom

Bedroom

9.

Sacred Hawai`i

10.

Music:

Music Words / Terminology

Ka Mele a me Ka Oli ~ Song,Poetry & Chant
Musical Instruments

The`Ukulele

11.

Heavenly Bodies: The Sun, the Moon and the Stars

N Kino o ka Lani: Ka L, ka Mahina, a me n Hk
`lelo No`eau / Proverbs & Sayings

12.

Thanksgiving & Table Conversation

13.

Aloha: What Is It?

Aloha Words
A Glossary of Words of Aloha (English to Hawaiian)

The Hawaiian Alphabet

Ka P`p Hawai`i
The Hawaiian Alphabet
P`p [PEE AH PAH] was the name of the first primer (spelling book) in Hawai`i. Like the word
"alphabet", the word p`p was formed by the first two letters of the Greek, "a" and "b". When
the missionary said, "b a ba", the Hawaiian student, using a "p" for "b", replied, "p p." It is
similar to the expression, "A, B, C's".
Letters as they appear in
written form:

How to pronounce letters

aloud to another person:

Phonetic pronunciation

" ` "

[ AH ]

" ` "

[ EH ]

" ` "

[ EE ]

" ` "

[ OH ]

" ` "

[OO ]

" ` k "

[ AH KOH ]

" ` k "

[ EH KOH ]

" ` k "

[ EE KOH ]

" ` k "

[ OH KOH ]

" ` k "

[ OO KOH ]

" h "

[ HEH ]

" k "

[ KEH ]

" l "

[ LAH ]

" m "

[ MOO ]

" n "

[ NOO ]

" p "

[ PEE ]

" w / v "

[ WEH ] / [ VEH ]

" `okina "

[ oh kee nah ]

From my class notes:

There are 10 vowels (five vowels without kahak; five, with) and eight consonants, h k l
m n p w ` (`okina).
To repeat: `okina is a consonant (a letter that is not a vowel); " `oki " means "to cut" and
" na " is an ending that makes a verb into a noun. `. In English, it is known as a "glottal
stop", which means "stop the flow of air at that point". The sounds occurs as break
between the two "oh's" in "Oh-oh, you're in trouble now!"
Kahak literally means " a mark which lengthens a sound." Remember this. It does NOT
mean, "raise the pitch of your voice". It does not mean, "say it louder."
When is written, the i is not dotted. Instead the kahak (written as straight line over the
i) replaces the dot.

How to Spell Aloud in Hawaiian

Spelling Vocabulary
ma`aka

capital, uppercase, "big"

na`ina`i

lowercase, "small / little"

hua `lelo hou

new / next word

How Does It Sound to Spell a Word in Hawaiian?

If a vowel has a kahak over it, it is indicated by saying "k"

after the vowel. For example, is spelled " ` k ".

Before spelling the next word, say: "hua `lelo hou".

To indicate a capital letter, say the letter first then say

"ma`aka."

To indicate a lower case letter, say the letter first then say "na`i
na`i".

Spelling Practice
Word:

Word spelled aloud:

manak

"m / ` / n / ` / k / ` k"

Lna`i

"lah ma'aka / ` k / n / ` / `okina / `"

P / p ("Big/Capital p, little/lower case p")

"p ma`aka / p na`ina`i "

N `umkua

"n ma`aka / ` k / hua `lelo hou

/ `okina / ` k ma`aka / ` / m / `
k / k / ` / ` "

Iz Ka`ano`i Kamakawiwo`ole

" ` ma`aka / z / hua `lelo hou /

k ma`aka / ` / `okina / ` / n / `

/ `okina / ` / hua `lelo hou / k

ma`aka / ` / m / ` / k / ` / v / `
/ v / ` / `okina / ` / l / `"

Ka Mele Pp `lelo Hawai`i

Hawaiian Alphabet Song
na Mary Kawena Pukui no ka mo`opuna kne, La`akea
by Mary Kawena Pukui for grandson, La`akea

E n hoa kamali`i,
O fellow children,

E a`o mai kkou

Let us learn together

I pa`ana`au ka pp.
Til weve memorized the alphabet.

`, `, `, `, `,
A, e, i , o, u,

H, k, l, m, n.
H, k, l, m, n.

`O p me w n panina
P and w are the last two

O ka pp.
Of the alphabet

Loan Words: English to Hawaiian with Sound Shifts

English

Hawaiian

sh

Examples of English to Hawaiian:

home
Charlotte, sheep

home
(home)

Halaki,hipa

wh

hu
w

wheel

huila

whiskey

wekek

wharf

uapo

u
j

Ies

Jesus

diamond

kaimana

ticket

kikiki

th

diphtheria

kipikelia

soap

kopa

brush

palaki

kokiaka

zodiac

pika

pitcher

Keoki

George

kolok

croquet

Kilipaki

Gilbert

laki

lucky

laiki

rice

kolop (r at the end

is often dropped)

crowbar

sh
z
ch
j, soft g
k
g
l

market

mkeke

Norway

Nolewai

king

kini

Peter

Pika

beer

pia

flour

palaoa

velvet

welaweka

ng
p

wine

waina

A vowel is added at the end of words, very often a, as in, school

(kula).

Missionary introductions were Hawaiianized using English

spellings, rather than pronunciations, as in: poloka (frog),
koma (comma), liona (lion), hmeni (hymn)

There are no consonant clusters in Hawaiian:

Adjoining English consonants are either separated by a

vowel, as in plumi (broom).

Or, one of the consonants is dropped, as in kila (steel) or San

Francisco (Kapalakiko).
Pronunciation Guide
Try practicing these loan words:

Beretania

Britain

Ikalia

Italian

Kakalina, kakalina

Katherine, gasoline

Kpani

Japanese

kika

sister, cider, tiger, cassia

(Hawaiian meaning is
"slippery")
kini

gin, tin, king, kin, zinc, Guinea,

Jean, Jane, Jennie

(Hawaiian meaning is
"multitude")
Klea

Korean / Korea

Niu `Enelani

New England

pepa

paper

pila

Bill

Pilipino

Filipino

pipi

beef

puke

book

Pronunciation Guide
Hybrid Words
haukalima

mkini `apo leo

ice cream

hau, Hawaiian for ice

kalima, English loan word

for cream

recorder

mkini, English loan word

for machine

`apo leo, Hawaiian for

"catching the voice"

13 hybrid entries are listed under mkini in the Hawaiian Dictionary.

n`au plumi

straw broom

n`au, Hawaiian for coconutleaf midrib

plumi, English loan word

for broom

noi pekela

betel nut

noi pepa

chili pepper

npepa puka l

`ohe puluka

noi, Hawaiian for pepper

pepa, English loan word for
pepper

pekela, English loan word

for betel

daily newspaper (lit., newspaper

issuing day)

npepa, English loan word

for newspaper

puka l, Hawaiian for

issuing day

bamboo flute

`ohe, Hawaiian for bamboo

puluka, English loan word

for flute

`hia loke

`` halo

pipikaula

wilik

rose apple

`hia, Hawaiian for apple

loke, English loan word for

rose

harrow

``, Hawaiian for digging

stick

halo, English loan word for

harrow

beef jerky (lit, beef rope)

pipi, English loan word for

beef

kaula, Hawaiian for rope

engineer (lit., key turning)

wili, Hawaiian for turn

k, English loan word for

key

Lesson 1
Idioms, Catch Phrases, Expletives and Interjections
He Mau `Ikeoma, `lelo pkole hopu, `lelo mpuna, A
Me `leloho`ho

A Hawaiian Language Pronunciation Guide

Paying meticulous attention to the presence (or absence) of kahak and `okina will vastly improve your Hawaiian
language mastery, as they have profound influences on word meanings and allow you to sound more like a native
speaker and less like a foreigner.

Index
Vowels

Accent / Stress

Vowels with Kahak

Pronunciation Resources

Consonants

Kahak & `Okina

Diphthongs

Common Mispronunciations

W- and Y- Glides

More Practice

Vowels
N Hua Palapala Leo Kahi

a sounds like [ah] as in above [ah buv ].

e sounds like [eh] as in bet [beht ].
i sounds like [ee] as in be [bee].
o sounds like [oh] as in obey [oh bei ]

u sounds like [oo] as in rule [rool].

Hawaiian vowels are pronounced without "off-glides", which are transitional

sounds added by the non-native speaker and away from the proper
pronunciation, as with a Southern drawl or to "prettify" the language to sound
more like English.
Example: haole (white person, non-endemic, Caucasian) is
pronounced [hao' leh],
hao as in the English word "how", a diphthong sound without a nasal twang and
leh with a short "e" sound, as in the English word, "bet".
Haole is NOT pronounced [how' lay].
Haole is NOT pronounced [how' lee].

Elongated Vowels
N Hua Palapala Leo Kahi me n Kahak
When a vowel has a kahak (usually a straight line over the vowel, still unavailable on
the Internet; for our purposes, a "^" is used as a substitute), it is sounded by
emphatically elongating the vowel sound.
Vowels

Sounds

As in:

Examples:

[AH]

"Ahh! This is heaven."

`pala (apple)
[AH' pah lah]

[EH]

"Hooray!"

`! (Hey!)
[EH!]

[EE]

"See!"

`lio (dog)
[EE' lee (y)oh]

[OH]

"OH NO!"

`p (belly)
[OH' POO']

[OO]

"Oops!"

Hi! (Halloo!)
[HOO' (w)ee]

Consonants
N Leokanip
p, k
h, l, m, n
w

About as in English but with less aspiration.

About as in English.
When it starts a word or
after "a", "w"- sound or
"v"-sound is acceptable.

Hawai`i
[Hah wai' ee] or [Ha vai' ee]
Welina! (affectionate greeting)
[Veh lee' nah!] or
[Weh lee' nah!]

After "i" and "e", usually "v"sound.

iwi (bone) [ee' vee],

Ewa (city on O`ahu) [eh' vah]

After "u" and "o", usually

"w"-sound.

kwili (to spin in a dance)

[KOO' wee lee]
ww (to roar, bellow)
[WOH' WOH']

`
(`okina)

The `okina is a consonant, which sounds like the break in "Oh-oh, I

broke it." It signifies a breath break.

Diphthongs
Na Leo Hui O N Palapala `Elua
Diphthong: [pronounced dip' thong] a vowel sound made up of two vowel sounds
pronounced together, such as ou in house, oi in noise.
As a general rule, vowels are pronounced separately EXCEPT when they appear as
diphthongs. The first vowel is always stressed, but the two vowels are not as closely
joined as in English.

"ai" sounds like the "i" in ice.

"ae" sounds like I or eye.

"ao" sounds like "ow" in how, but without a nasal twang.
"au" sounds like the "ou" in house or out, but without a nasal twang.
"ei" sounds like "ei" in chow mein or in eight.
"eu" has no equivalent in English;
"eu" sounds like "eh-oo", run together, as a single syllable.
"iu" sounds like the "ew" in few.
"oi" sounds like the "oi" in voice
"ou" sounds like the "ow" in bowl.
"ui" is an unusual sound for English-speakers, sort of like the "ooey" in gooey,
but pronounced as a single syllable.

W and Y Glides
N Kkaha W a me Y
These glide sounds are automatically produced with certain vowel combinations. The
w- or y-sound can vary, sometimes barely audible and subtle to distinctly
pronounced, depending on the word and the speaker:

W - glide examples:
o Maui [ Mau' (w)ee] (an island in the Hawaiian chain)
o `oe [oh (w)eh' ] (you)
o Au [ au (W)EH'! ] (Oh no! Darn! Shucks!)
o lauoho [lau' (w)oh hoh] (hair)
Y- glide examples:
o ia [ee' (y)ah] (he, she, it)
o

`iia [ee (Y)AH' (y)ah] (him, her; to him, to her)

Accent or Stress: Rules of Thumb

Kaulele: N Lula Kumu
I. For all words: Accent syllables with kahak.
o

Example 1: kahak [kah hah KOH'] a diacritical mark which indicates the
speaker should lengthen the sound of the vowel

Example 2: kpuna [KOO' poo nah] elders, ancestors

II. For words without kahak: Accent syllables with diphthongs.

o

Example 1: hau`oli [hau' oh lee] (happy)

Example 2: umauma [oo mau' mah] (chest)

III. For words without kahak or diphthongs: Accent the "next-to-last"

syllable.
o

Example 1: hale [hah' leh] (house)

Example 2: aloha [ah loh' hah] (greetings, love, affection)

IV. For compound words (words made up of two or more words), break up the word
into its separate parts and use the "next-to-last" rule-of-thumb:
o
o

Example 1: ku`uipo [koo' oo (y)ee' poh] = ku`u (my) + ipo (sweetheart)

Example 2: holoholo [hoh' loh hoh' loh] (going out, carousing) = holo + holo

Exceptions exist: words containing five syllables without kahak are stressed on the
first and fourth syllables: example: `elemakule (old man) [eh' leh mah koo' leh]. The final
stress in a word is usually louder than preceding stress or stresses.

Lesson 2

Greetings / Salutations

Aloha!

Greetings! (salutations,
sympathies, expression of love
and affection)

Aloha Akua!

Gods love!

Aloha mai!

Aloha hither!

Aloha n!

Aloha indeed!

Aloha nui

Much aloha!

Aloha nui loa!

Very much aloha!

Aloha kakahiaka!

Good morning! (6 a.m. to 10

a.m.)

Aloha kakahiaka nui!

Good early morning!

Aloha kakahiaka aku!

Good late morning!

Aloha awakea!

Good noontime! (10 a.m. to 2

p.m.)

Aloha `auinal!

Good afternoon (lit., declining

sun)! (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Aloha ahiahi!

Good evening! (6 p.m. to 10

p.m.)

Aloha e (Inoa)!

Aloha, (Name)! As in, Aloha,

Craig!

Aloha `oe!

Aloha to (one of) you! / May

you be loved!

Aloha `olua!

Aloha to (two of) you!

Aloha `oukou!

Aloha to (three or more of) you!

Aloha kua!

Aloha to you and me! / May

there be love and friendship
between us!

Aloha kkou!

Aloha to all of us!

`Ano `ai.

Ancient word meaning aloha; a

warm salutation, still used.

`!

Hey!

`Eia nei! / Ei nei!

A polite way of attracting

attention. Only used when
speaking to one person. You
there! (as between spouses,
often affectionate, replacing
"Darling!" / "Dear!"

`Eia `oe!

In a kindly voice, an
affectionate welcome; in an
angry voice, displeasure. "So,
you have come!", "Well, you
have come!"

Hi!

Halloo! Yoo hoo!

Ke aloha n!

Lit., "The love indeed!"

`O `oe k!

Oh, it's you!

Welina.

A greeting similar to aloha, but

more anciently used. Also,
weli.

Welina me ke aloha.

Used as a salutation in a letter.

Lesson 3

Pleasantries
How are you?

Pehea `oe?

How are you (just one of you)?

Pehea `olua?
Pehea `oukou?

How are you (two of

you)?
How are you (3 or more)?

How are you today?

Pehea `oe i kia l?

He aha ka mea hou?

What's new?

Reply
Maika`i.

I am fine.

Maika`i n.
Maika`i n au, mahalo.

Fine indeed.
I'm very well, thanks.

Hau`oli au. / Hau`oli n!

I am happy. / I'm happy

indeed.

`Oia mau.

Same as usual.

`Oia mau n.

Same as usual. (more emphasis)

A `o `oe?

And you?

A `o `oe, pehea `oe?

A pehea `oe?

And you, how are you?

And how are you?

Maika`i `oe?

Are you fine?

`A`ole au maika`i.

Luhi / mluhiluhi au.

`ma`ima`i / ma`i au.

Manak au.

I am not fine.

I am tired / fatigued.
I am ill / sick.
I am bored.

Lesson 4

"Getting to know you, getting to know all about you"

`O wai kou inoa?

What is your name?

`O (Inoa) ko`u inoa.

My name is (Name).

Wai is the word that asks the question, who? Note that kou means
your and ko`u means my.
`O (Inoa) kou inoa?

Is (Name) your name?

`Ae, `o (Inoa) ko`u inoa.

Yes, my name is (Name).

`A`ole, `o (Inoa) ko`u inoa.

No, my name is (Name).

E kala mai ia`u, ua poina au, `o

wai kou inoa?

Excuse me, I've forgotten, what

is your name?

No hea mai `oe?

Where are you from (originally)?

No Hawai`i mai au.

I am from Hawai`i.

`Oia k? `O wau kekahi!

For real / Really? Me, too.

Ak, i kia manawa, noho au i

Moloka`i.

But now, I live on Moloka`i.

He aha ku hana?

What is your work / occupation?

/ What do you do?

He (hana) au.

I am a (occupation).

mea hula / mea oli / mea

mele / haku mele
malihini
kumu / haumna
lawai`a / mahi`ai
mka`i / kinai ahi

hula dancer / chanter /

singer / composer
visitor (also, newcomer)
teacher / student
fisherman / farmer
policeman / fireman

kauka / kahunapule

doctor / minister

He haumna `oe?

Are you a student?

`Ae, he haumna au.

Yes, I am a student.

`A`ole, he kumu au.

No, I am a teacher.

He kama`ina `oe?

Are you a local person?

He Hawai`i `oe?

Are you Hawaiian?

`Ae, he Hawai`i au.

`A`ole, ak he Hawai`i-ika- pu`uwai.
`Ae, he kanaka maoli au.

`Ae, keiki o ka `ina wau.

Yes, I am Hawaiian.
No, but I am Hawaiian-atheart.
Yes, I am an indigenous
Hawaiian.
Yes, I am a child of the
land (native born).

Lesson 5

Talking about the Weather

Pehea kia l?

How's (the weather) today?

Nani noho`i kia l!

This is such a beautiful day!

Maka`i noho`i k l!

This is such a fine day!

Kekahi l i palekaiko wale n.

Just another day in paradise.

Au ka nani!

Oh, how beautiful!

Nui ka wela! / Wela ka l.

It is so hot! / The sun is hot.

He l ______ kia.

This is a _______ day.

anuanu / hu`hu`i
ua / makani / pouli
wela / ikiiki / mahana
`olu`olu / mlie

cold / chilly
rainy / windy / overcast
hot / hot and humid / warm
cool, pleasant / calm

`ino

stormy

Nui ka ua!

So much rain!

E nn! He nuenue!

Look! A rainbow!

Pi`i ka nalu!

Surf's up!

Mlie ke kai.

Calm sea.

Kaiko`o.

Rough sea.

`Oia no ho`i. / `Oia n.

That's for sure. / Yes, indeed.

Lesson 6

CLOSINGS

A hui hou kkou!

A hui hou kua!

Until we all meet again!

Until you and I meet

again!

Aloha au / wau i `oe!

I love you!

Aloha kekahi i kekahi.

Love one another.

Aloha `oe!

Farewell to you!

E noho me ka hau`oli.

Be happy.

Ho`i!

Return!

K hea mai.

Call me.

Kipa mai!

Come visit!

Kipa hou mai!

Come visit again!

Mahope!

Later!

Mlama pono!

Take care! / Be careful.

Me ke aloha

With love

Me ke aloha pau`ole

With never-ending love

Me ke aloha pumehana

With warm love

Me ke `oia`i`o

Yours truly

Me ka pumehana

With warmth

`O au n me ka `oia`i`o

I am yours, sincerely

Pili mau n p maika`i.

Best wishes.

Me `oe p.

Same to you.

E pili mau n pmaika`i

me `oe.

May you always have

good fortune.

Lesson 7

Conversational Acknowledgements
(Instead of Hm-hmm , Uh-huh, and Nods)

`.

The Hawaiian version of Um,

what is said when pausing
between words.

Au.

Oh, wow. Oh, no. Oh, dear.

`! / `, `, `!

Yeah! / Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hiki.

Okay. Also, all right, can do.

Hiki n.

Hiki with more emphasis.

Maika`i.

Good!

Maika`i loa.

Very good!

Maika`i wale.

How nice.

`Oia?

Really?

`Oia `ia?

Is that so?

`Oia k?

For real?

`Oia k!

You don't say!

`Oia ho`i! / `Oia no ho`i!

That's for sure! I should say!

`Oia n!

Yes, that's so. Really, it's true.

`Oia paha.

Yeah, I think so. That's likely it.

`A`oia!

That's it!

`Oia`o n!

Really? Is that so?

Pl paha.

Maybe, perhaps.

`A`ole paha.

Maybe not.

`A`ole pl!

It isn't so!

Pololei

Correct.

Pono!

Right!

Pono n `oe!

You're so right.

Lesson 8

Conversational Q&As (Questions and Answers)?

Aia ia hea? (Auhea?, Aihea?)

Auhea `oe?
Aia i hea ka`u puke?
Aia i hea `o Pila?
E hele ana `oe i hea?
o

Where?

Where are you?

Where is my book?
Where is Bill?
Where are you going?

Hele ana au i ke
kaona / i kahakai.

I am going to town
/ the beach.

Ma`ane`i. / I `ane`i.

Right here.

Ma laila. / I laila.

At that place.

Ma `. / I `.

Over there.

`Ehia?

How many?

Hola `ehia kia?

What time is it?

`Ehia ou mau makahiki?

How old are you?

He aha?

He aha kia?
He __________ kia.
He aha kn?
He __________ kn.

What?

What's this?
This is a ___________.
What's that (near you)?
That (near you) is a

He aha kl?
He __________ kl.
E aha ana `oe?
`A`ohe. / Ua hana `oe.
He aha k makemake?
He aha hou a`e?

He aha ka pilikia?

Hiki?

_________.
What's that (over there)?
That (over there) is a
_____.
What are you doing?
Nothing. / I am working.
What do you want?
What's next?

What's the problem?

Can do?
Hiki ia`u ke ho`oluhi i
`oe?

May I trouble you?

I ka w hea?

When?

`Ike `oe?

Do you know?

`Ae, `ike au.

`A`ole au `ike.
Pl paha!

Yes, I know.
No, I don't know.
Maybe!

`A`ole `oe e `ike?

You don't know?

Maopopo i `oe?

Do you understand?

`Ae, maopopo ia`u.

Yes, I understand.

`A`ole au maopopo.

No, I don't understand.

Na wai kia? / No wai kia?

Whose is this?

No hea mai `oe?

Where are you from

(originally)?

Mai hea mai `oe?

Where did you come from?
No ke aha?

Why?

No ka mea ___________.

Because __________.

`Oia k?

For real? Really?

`O wai?

Who?

`O wai kia / kn /
kl?

Who is this / that (near

you) / that (over there)?

This / That (near your) /

That (over there) is
(Name).

`O (Inoa) kia / kn /
kl?

Pehea?

How?

Pehea kou mana`o?

Pehea la?

Pehea `oe e `ike ai?

What do you think?

How about it? / And
what?

How do you know?

Pono paha? / Hewa paha?

Is this right? / Is this wrong?

`Ua pono n? / `Ua hewa?

Is this right? / Is this wrong?

Lesson 9
Commands / Orders / Imperatives

`Auhea `oukou!

Listen up (you all)!

`ww!

Be quick!

E `ai kkou!

Let's all (2 or more) eat!

E `lelo Hawai`i / haole!

Speak Hawaiian / English!

E `lelo Hawai`i, ke `olu`olu.

Speak Hawaiian, please.

E `lelo hou.

Say it again.

E `lelo mlie.

Speak slowly / calmly.

E `olu `olu, e `lelo Hawai`i.

Please speak Hawaiian.

E ha`i mai.

Tell me. Say it.

E hlwai kkou!

Let's meet!

E hele aku!

Go away!

E hele mai!

Come here!

E ho`oma`ama`a!

Practice!

E ho`oma`ama`a.

Practice.

E ho`omau.

Continue. Keep at it.

E ho`opili mai.

Repeat after me.

E kkau iho `oe.

Write it down.

E kali iki.

Wait a moment.

E kkua mai.

Give me some help!

E lawe aku.

Take (it) away.

E nn kua i ku puke.

Let's (you and I) look at your

book.

E nn mai!

Look over here.

E noho iho.

Sit down.

E p`ani kkou!

Let's (2 or more) play!

E pule kkou!

Let's (2 or more) pray!

Ha`i mai!

Tell me!

Hmau ka leo!

Be quiet!

Hana hou!

Do it again!

Hele a hiamoe!

Go to bed!

Hele aku!

Go away! Beat it!

Hele mai!

Come here!

Hele!

Go ahead!

Ho`i!

Return!

Ho`olohe!

Listen!

Ho`omanawanui!

Be patient!

Huli!

Turn over!

Kohi mai `oe!

Hold fast!

Kkua mai!

Help me!

Komo mai!

Come in!

Kulikuli!

Shut up!

Mai e `ai!

Come and eat!

Mlama pono!

Be careful! (Take care!)

Nn!

Look!

Noho!

Sit! Stay!

Noke.

Keep at it.

Lesson 10
Ho`okipa ~ Hospitality

"Even the poorest would generally share their scanty dish of

potatoes with a stranger. Not to entertain a guest with what they
have, is, among themselves, considered reproachful; and there are
many, who, if they had but one pig or fowl in the yard, or one root of
potatoes in the garden, would cheerfully take them to furnish a
repast for a friend." ~ Wm. Ellis
The historian Malo warns, however, against "thrusting one's self on
the hospitality of one's neighbor."
Pronunciation Guide

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian:

English:

Heahea.

Welcome (no precise

equivalent).

heahea, khea, p khea

Call of welcome.

E komo mai! Mai! He mai!

Come in! Come! Come!

(Welcome!)

Ho`okipa i ka malihini.

To welcome guests.

Mele komo.

Welcoming song.

I k hele mai i ka `ina, he

hale, he `ai, he i`a nou, nou ka
`ina.

Expression of welcome:
should (you wish to) come to
the land, there is a house, poi,
fish for you, the land is for you.

E komo mai!

Come in!

Mai e `ai.

Come and eat.

E ho`okama`ina.

Make yourself at home (said to

strangers).

He hale kou.

You have a house (fig., you are

always welcome here).

Nou ka hale.

The house is yours.

E noho `oe, ke `olu`olu.

Sit, please. Stay, please.

He makana nu.

A gift for you.

Na`u anei kia?

Is this for me?

Nu wale n.

Just for you.

"I hele i kauhale, pa`a p`olo i

ka lima."

"In going to the houses of

others, carry a package in
hand."
To go empty-handed is an
affront and embarrassment to
both host and guest.

These days, this saying still applies. It is bad form to go to a

social gathering empty-handed. Even if your host demurs
(better not to even ask, "What can I bring?"), bring an ice chest
filled with your and your host's favorite beverages, enough for
yourself, your host and others. Bring a dish, pp (appetizer),
and/or dessert. While acceptable on the mainland, a bag of
chips and store-bought dip or sandwiches are poor form in
Hawai`i. Leave any leftovers with the host; stock the
refrigerator with leftover drinks in your cooler. Manini (stingy)
guests do not get reinvited. And don't forget to reciprocate. It's
the Hawaiian way.
Ua `ai `oe?

Have you eaten?

Ploli `oe? / `Ae, ploli

au!

Are you hungry? / Yes,

I'm hungry!

Makewai `oe? / `Ae,

makewai au!

Are you thirsty? / Yes,

I'm thirsty!

I wai nu? / I wai na`u, ke

`olu`olu.

Some water for you? / Water

for me please.

Ua m`ona `oe?

Are you full? (Have you had

enough to eat?)

He `ono!

Delicious!

Nui ka `ono!
`Ono loa!
`Ono ka pu`u!
Kn `ole.

How delicious!
Very tasty!
Full of flavor!
Flawless. (Perfect)

Helu `ekahi!

First rate! Number one!

Ua pae ka wa`a!

(I'm full) Lit., the canoe has

landed

Lawa kla!

That's enough!

Enough.

Ua lawa.

`Ai pono, e ola.

Eat right, live well.

Mahalo nui loa.

Thank you very much.

He mea iki.

Just a trifle. (You're welcome.)

`A`ole pilikia.

Kipa mai. / Kipa mai hou!

No trouble. (You're
welcome.)

Come visit. / Come visit again!

Lesson 11
Hawaiian Gift-giving

`lelo Hawai`i (Hawaiian):

`lelo Haole (English):

He makana nu.

A gift for you.

Na`u anei kia?

Is this for me?

Nu wale n.

Just for you.

`lelo No`eau ~ Wise Sayings

"I hele i kauhale, pa`a p`olo i ka lima."

"In going to the houses of others,

carry a package in hand."
To go empty-handed is an affront and
embarrassment to both host and visitor.

"He wah pa`akai."

"Just a packet of salt."

Gifts that are grown or made by the
giver are the best, as it is imbued with
the giver's spirit, creating a "mystic
bond".

"E `p ali`i."

"Have a stomach like a chief."

Fig., Be kind and generous as a chief.

"`A`ohe lokomaika`i i nele i ke pna`i."

"No kind heart lacks a reward."

The Hawaiian version of the Golden Rule.

If one is treated well, generously, and
hospitably, the courtesy to the same
extent is to be returned.

Different Kinds of Gifts

`lana

Offering, especially a free-will offering.

`lana aloha

Peace offering, offering of love.

`lana kuni

Burnt offering, offering to procure

death by sorcery.

ha`awina

Grant, contribution, honorarium,

donation.

ho`ina

A farewell gift, especially as a parting

gift after a feast.

ho`okupu

A ceremonial gift given as a sign of

honor or respect, often to a chief or
deity; church offering.

louulu

A betrothal gift sent from one family to

another.

makana

Gift, present; reward, award, prize.

Makana ka ho`i (What a gift!),
sometimes said sarcastically, by an
ungrateful person.

makana aloha

Gift of friendship or love; freewill

offering.

makana hele

Parting gift. Lit., going gift.

`oloa

A gift to a newborn child.

plala / palaloa

A gift or tax given to a chief at the

birth of a child; to honor a child with a
gift; house-warming feast.

pani

Final gift in a ho`okupu (gift-giving as a

sign of honor and respect) ceremony.

wainohia

A gift of affection.

N Makana Makamae ~ Treasured Gifts

hulu

Feather, quill, plumage. Objects made of

feathers were the most valuable,
aesthetically and materially, and were
exchanged among ali`i (royalty) and as
gifts to warriors with prowess.

niho palaoa

Carved whale tooth. Rare, highly prized,

worn by high chiefs. Take a look at Uncle
Charlie's lei palaoa.

khili

Royal feather standards.

Other gifts include canoes, adzes, bowls, pieces of kapa, and fishhooks. Valued intrinsic
gifts include feelings of kkua (helpfulness), lokomaika`i (kindliness), and aloha.

Gift-giving with Aloha

h`awi lokomaika`i

To give freely, openhanded.

h`awi wale

To give freely, gratis.

ho`onu`a

Give lavishly, generously, continuously.

kahiau

To give generously or lavishly with the

heart and without expectation of return.

kihikau

To give lavishly.

manuahi

Gratis, free of charge.

pna`i

Reciprocate, whether good or bad; to

pay back, reward, or revenge. Repay
each gift with something at least
equivalent to what is received; giving
more is better.

pu`up

To give and receive freely.

h`awi manawale`a / manawale`a

Give gladly.

Pseudo-Gift-giving / Poor Etiquette

"Genuine (gift-giving) can only take place when no exchange of money is involved, or more
precisely, when something is given without any thought of getting something back except
the pleasure of giving and purest aloha." ~ George Hu`eu Kanahele

h`awi papa he`e nalu

Give for the sake of receiving a gift;

trade, buy and sell.

helu

Counting.
Refers to the graceless, offensive
behavior of recalling past favors to get
something back. The person so offended
often returned the gift.

k`ai

Trade. To return a gift immediately

savored of trade, and cheapened the
gift.
When one had been given a gift in a bowl
or dish, the container was kept for a

few days before returned, filled with

something.

ku`aku`ai

Give for the sake of receiving a gift;

trade, buy and sell.

maua

Failure to return a gift.

Mahalo
"Thank you", gratitude, appreciation.

Mahalo

There is no precise equivalent of thank you in

Hawaiian.

As with Native Americans and other Polynesians, saying thank you upon receiving a gift was
considered unnecessary and offensive. The unspoken grace and humility in receiving the
gift "spoke" volumes.
To give proper thanks for a gift, give a gift back, preferably of greater value. Each new
exchange lends value, prestige and mana to all concerned, creating a positive spiraling
effect generated by generosity and hospitality.
Thank you (not an exact translation)
very much.

Mahalo nui loa.

Mahalo nui.
`O wau n me ka mahalo.

I am, (yours) in gratitude.

>> Hawaiian Greetings & Sentiments

Lesson 12

Ka Manawa ~ Time

Units of Time
ke kekona

second

ka minuke

minute

ka hola

hour

ka l

day

ka pule

week

ka anahulu

10-day span

ka mahina

month

ka makahiki

year

ka lpule,
ka l `elua o kepakemaka

Sunday, the 2nd of September

Helu Uaki / Telling Time

Ua kani ka hola `umi.

It is 10 o' clock.

Hapalua ka hola `umi.

Half-past 10.

Hapah i hala ka holo `umi.

Quarter past 10.

Hapah koe, kani ka hola `umi.

Quarter to 10.

`Ane`ane ka hola `umi.

Almost 10.

Ua hala iki ka hola `umi.

A little after 10.

`Umi minuke i koe, kani ka hola

`elima

Ten minutes before five.

N L o ka Pule / Days of the Week

Lpule

Sunday; Lit., day prayer.

P`akahi

Monday; Lit., first night.

P`alua

Tuesday; Lit., second night.

P`akolu

Wednesday; Lit., third night.

P`ah

Thurday; Lit., fourth night.

P`alima

Friday; Lit., fifth night.

P`aono

Saturday; Lit., sixth night.

N Mahina / Months
Ianuali

January

Pepeluali

February

Malaki

March

`Apelila

April

Mei

May

Iune

June

Iulai

July

`Aukake

August

Kepakemapa

September

`Okakopa

October

Nowemapa

November

Kkmapa

December

`alemanaka

calendar

N Kau / Seasons
kupulau, la`a ulu, kau o
makalapua

spring

kau wela

summer

h`ule lau, la`a make

fall

ho`oilo, kau anu

winter

w ua, manawa ua, la`a ua

rainy season

kau hua

fruit season

la`a make

season of dying plants

w he`e

octopus season

N Hua `lelo Manawa / Time-related Words

li`u, li`uli`u, kl`ihi

a long time, to take a long time

a p ka l

all day

`ane`ane

almost

mau

always

ka w kahiko

ancient time

ka manawa e hiki mai ana

any possible time

i ka w mua

before; lit., in the time before

hiki mua

beforehand, pre-

ma mua o ka manawa, ma mua o

ka hola

early

`akahi n

first time

no ka manawa, kikaw

for a short time, for the time

being

mau loa, i ka w pau`ole, kau

kau, nalo loa

forever, eternal, everlasting

manawa ka`awale

free time

pinepine

frequently, often

i kl manawa i kia manawa

from time to time

w maika`i / w ppilikia

good times / bad times

ma hope aku

hereafter

koke, hikiwawe, wawe

immediate

koke, manawa `ole, `emo `ole

immediately

hope, muli, nei, aku nei

last (most recent)

hope loa, muli hope

i ka p nei
kl pule aku nei

very last
last night
last week

kl pule aku nei a ia pule

aku

week before last

lohi, hope, mahope, kli`u

late

aumoe

late at night

moe awakea

late sleeper

a`e nei, `n iho nei, `n wale

iho nei n

lately

ma hope aku

later

`oi
hola `elua `oi
kia l aku

a little later
a little later than two
o`clock
later today

I'll come later.

Mahope aku au.

`a`ole, `a`ole loa

never

a`e, hope, hiki

next

kia pule a`e

next week

kia pule a`e ia pule aku

week after next

i kia manawa, `n

now

pinepine, nui

often

(i ka) hola kpono

on time

l aku nei

other day

kaulele

overtime

ho`ohala manawa; ho`olalau

pass the time

kaka`ikahi, `a`ole hana mau `ia,

laha `ole, mea laha `ole

rare, infrequent

manawa `n

real time, as in computer lingo

helu manawa

recorded duration

ho`opa`a manawa

reserve (time)

mahope mai, ho`ohua n

since

ka w kamali`i

"small kid time"

kekahi w, kekahi manawa

sometime

kekahi manawa

some other time

kekahi l

some other day

koke, auane`i, koe, aku, eia aku

soon

kani

strike (as a clock)

` laila

then; laila, hele mai ke ali`i (The

chief then came).

till

k`ei hola

time zone, as Pacific or Rocky

Mtn.

helu manawa, uaki, uki

to time, as speed or duration.

kia l, i kia l / kia p, i kia

p

today / tonight

`app

tomorrow

`app a i l aku

day after tomorrow

K`ei Mlehulehu

Twilight Zone

manawa pa`a mau

usual / regular time

ho`opau manawa

waste time

l noa

weekday

hopenapule

weekend

i kl pule me kia pule

weekly

aia a; ke; i (adverb: future)

when

hea (interrogative)
hea (future)
inhea (past)
`oiai, `oi, i, i ka manawa, i ka w

while

Ia`u
aku nei
ho`ohala manawa;
kkahekahe

While I
a while ago
To while away the time
(pleasantly)

`oi ola honua

While there is time

i nehinei

yesterday

i ke ahiahi o nehinei

yesterday evening

nehinei a i l aku

day before yesterday

Lesson 13
Human Speech

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

ha`ia`o

(oral) instruction

`aki`aki

backbiting speech

kaena

bragging

liki

bragging with
gesticulation

kama`ilio ho`onanea, keaka chat

pua`ohi

chatterbox

nukunuku

chiding or nagging

wal`au

confused talk of the

multitude; informal chatter

kama`ilio

conversation

kik

dialogue

`humu

faultfinding, with angry

(huh) overtones

waipah

gentleness and in speech

and manners is expressed
with this word, which
means, "smooth as
undisturbed water";
Hawaiians are averse to
loud noises and
obstreperous, rude talk.

ni`ani`a

gossips, accusers,
slanderers

`okolek

kind of unintelligible play or

foreign language created for
unsavory purposes

nehiwa

lascivious talk; in secret

talk, with transposed
syllables, means wahine

kake

lingo, often used for secret

purposes, covert
communication between
chiefs, also for licentious
purposes

ko`eko`e

marital squabbling, from the

sound of the sound of the
kapa mallet

pule

prayer, uttering of

incantations

pupule

lunatic

kkl

proclamation; auctioneers
cries means, "stand and
call"

`e`ehia

rapt attention, the solemn

hush of an assembly

waw

rumor

pkk

saucy rejoinder; talking

back

`lelo haumia

smutty language

phemahema i ka
ho`onohonoho `ana i n
hua `lelo

speak brokenly

`ekemu

speak but little

`lelo akahele, aka`lelo

speak cautiously,
deliberately

ko`iko`i ka `lelo

speak forcefully

`waha, ho`okala

speak harshly, bluntly

leo `iki

speak softly

hewa ka waha

speak too much, hastily

namunamu

speak unintelligibly, as with

an impediment or foreign
language, babbling; rapid,
indistinct articulation

kholo ka `lelo

speak vaguely

`lelo

speech or language; to
speak

alelo

tongue

ha`i`lelo

speech; sermon

palauolelo

talking and not doing

anything; palaver

``

to be mute

`hene

to converse quietly and

romantically; to tease
coquettishly; to play a merry
tune

mumule

to sit silent

`u`u`u

to stammer

pa`ipa`i

to tell someone what he

ought to do

ho`olele leo

ventriloquism

leo

voice; sound

hawanawana

whispering

Lesson 14
N Kani Kanaka ~ Human Sounds
`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

kihe

sneeze

[kee' heh]

ki`o
[kee' oh]

phi`ohi`o

to break wind, to move

bowels.

to break wind,
noiselessly.

to break wind, audibly.

[POO' hee oh hee oh],

phihio [POO' hee

hee (y)oh]

phi`u [POO' hee oo]

kunu
[koo' noo]

cough

hawewe

a rattling, clattering
sound

[hah veh' veh]

mauli`awa

hiccup

[mau' lee ah vah]

mimi, m

urinate

[mee' mee], [MEE]

mk

suck

[MOO' KEE']

non
[noh NOH']

snore

scratch

neke
[neh' keh]

gnaw

nau
[nau]

swallow

omo
[oh' moh]

`ol`ol

gargling or gurgling
sound of swallowing

[oh LAH' oh LAH']

belch

h
[OO' HAH']

hawk up phlegm

ph
[POO' HAH']

wailing for the dead; tearful

crying.

uw
[oo WEH']

kah nee `uh

[kah nee oo HOO'],
kmkena

mourning sounds

[KOO' MAH' keh nah]

Lesson 15
N Kani o n Holoholona ~ Animal Sounds
`lelo Hawai`i Hawaiian / `lelo Haole English
Onomatopoeia: the formation of a name or word by
imitating the sound associated with the thing designated, as
in buzz, hiss, splash, cuckoo.

Animal
manu

bird

Sound
`io

chirp, twitter

[ee' (y)oh]

pio
[pee' (y)oh]

ppoki

cat

`owau

peep
meow

[oh wau']

nino

mew, purr

[nee' noh]

piopio

chick

piopio

peep

[pee' (y)oh pee'

(y)oh]

pipi

cow

um

lowing

[oo MOH']

uw
[oo WOH']

`lio

dog

hae

bellowing
bark

[hae]

o`aoa
[oh ao' (w)ah]

haha
[hah' hah]

bow wow
pant
yelp

[NAH]

nunulu

growl

[noo noo' loo]

kkake, miula

donkey, mule

ha`u, ha`uha`u bray

[hah' oo], [ha' oo
hah' oo]

hoh
[hoh HOH']

`ehako

dove

nn

heehaw
coo coo

[NOO' NOO']

kak
moa wahine

duck,
domesticated

kak

quack

hen

kok

cluck (as after

[koh KOH']

laying an egg)

pukak

cackle

[kah KAH']

[poo kah KAH']

pkk

cluck (hen in

[POO' KOH' KOH'] alarm)

lio

horse

ihiihi

neighing

[ee hee (y)ee' hee]

kao, hipa

goat, sheep

m``

baa

[MAH' AH' AH']

klea

golden plover

klea
[KOH' leh (y)ah]

(English equivalent
not known)

nn

goose

nn

honk

[NEH' NEH']

unele
[oo neh' leh]

`ekelo

mynah bird

`ekelo

honk
chatter

[eh keh' loh]

pueo

owl

ke`u

hoot

[keh' oo]

pua`a

pig, hog

ha`u

snort

[hah' oo]

h, n

grunt

[HOO], [NOO]

pkake
`iole

peacock

[OH]

(English equivalent
not known)

ww

squeal

rat

[VEE' VEE']

moa kne

rooster

`o`o`o
[oh oh' oh]

hipa

sheep

peleh

`alal

turkey

cockle-adoodle-doo

[ah lah LAH']

bleat; cries of all

young animals.

kolokolo

gobble, gobble

[koh' loh koh' loh]

`lili

`lili bird

`lili
[OO' lee lee]

(English equivalent
not known)

Lesson 16
N Kani o ka Wai ~ Water Sounds
`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

squirting of water

[KEE]

ninini

pouring of water

[nee nee' nee]

kapp

sprinkling of water

[kah PEE' PEE']

nakulu
[nah koo' loo]

patter, pitter patter of

raindrops

paka
[pah' kah]

lokuloku
[loh' koo loh' koo]

n
[NOO]

gentle dripping of raindrops

nkulukulu
[NAH' koo loo koo loo]

dashing of waves against sea

cliffs

`h
[OO' HAH']

murmuring, as the sea;

rippling of waves

N
[NEH']

murmuring of waves; roar, as

approaching rain; also,
rustling, as wind; crunching,
thud, thump, as of walking

kamumu
[kah moo' moo]

Lesson 17
Mea `Ai no ka `Aina Kakahiaka
Breakfast Food
KA `LELO HAWAI`I
(HAWAIIAN) :

KA `LELO HAOLE
(ENGLISH) :

N Hua `ina Kakahiaka A Me Wai Hua

Breakfast Fruit and Fruit Juices
ka ipu `ala

cantaloupe

ka meleni, ka ipu

melon

ka papaia,
ka mkana,
ka h`

papaya

ka wai hua `ai

fruit juice, fruit punch

wai hua `ai kuawa

wai hua `ai `lani

guava juice
orange juice

wai hua `ai liliko`i`lani-kuawa

passion-orangeguava (P.O.G.) juice

Breakfast Entrees

ka siriala

cereal

ka pelene
ka `okamila
ka hua waina malo`o

bran
oatmeal
raisin

ka palaoa ll

mush (Hawaiian style, made

ka hua moa

ka hua palai
ka hua mo`a loa
ka hua kai,
ka hua pk
ka hua me`a hapa
ka kau melemele

egg (chicken)

fried egg
hard-boiled egg
scrambled egg
soft-boiled egg
egg yolk

egg white

ka kau ke`oke`o

ka `i`o no ka `aina
kakahiaka:

with flour and water)

ka pekona,
ka `i`o pua`a uahi
ka pipi Kelemnia
ke kini pipi, pipi kini
ka na`aukake
o ka na`aukake
Pukik

breakfast meats:

bacon
corned beef, fresh
corned beef, canned
sausage
o Portuguese
sausage

ham

ka pua`a hame

ka `uala kahiki kolikoli,

ka `uala kolikoli

hash brown potatoes

ka palaoa pikeke,
ka pikeke

biscuit

ke koneko

doughnut

ka mpina

muffin

ka mpine pelene

ka palaoa palai

ke kale palaoa
ka palaoa wai ko`ana
waipaka

kapalaoa linalina

bran muffin

pancake

pancake batter
buttermilk pancake

unleavened pancake

ka palaoa pha`uha`u

popovers

ka palaoa ppa`a

toast

ka palaoa ppa`a
Palani

ka palaoa kpo`opo`o

French toast

waffle

N Mea Inu `ina Kakahiaka

Breakfast Beverages

ke kk

cocoa

ke kokoleka

chocolate

ke kope

coffee

`lope `ole
ke kpa`a

decaffeinated
sugar

ke kalima

cream

ka wai

milk

ka wai ho`opilipili
ka wai kia
ka wai `aila iki
ka wai he`e
ka wai piha
ka pahu wai

imitation milk
condensed milk
low-fat milk
skim milk
whole milk
milk carton

ka wai ko`ana
waipaka

buttermilk

Breakfast Condiments
N H`ono`ono `ai
ka waipaka, ka paka

butter

ka makalina

margarine

ke kalima

cream

ka meli, ka wai meli, ka

hone

honey

ke kele

jelly

ke kele waina
ke kele kuawa

grape jelly
guava jelly

ke kele `helo papa

strawberry jelly

ke kele pah

jam

ke kai mpala

maple syrup

ka pnekipaka

peanut butter

ke kpa`a

sugar

ke kpa`a h`ae`ae
ke kpa`a pu`upu`u
ke kpa`a `ula`ula

powdered sugar
lump sugar
brown sugar

ke kpa`a
ho`oke`oke

white (refined) sugar

Lesson 18
N Mea Inu
Drinks / Beverages

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

kk / kokoleka

cocoa / chocolate

mahamelo / masamelo

kope

marshmallow

coffee

kpa`a

sugar

kalima

cream

mea inu ho`ohu`ihu`i

cold beverage

wai hua `ai

fruit juice, fruit punch

wai hua `ai kuawa

wai hua `ai `lani
wai hua `ai liliko`i-`lanikuawa

guava juice
orange juice
passion-orange-guava
(P.O.G.) juice

wai lemi

lemonade

Hawaiian drinks

`awa
aumiki

pokiwai

kava, root is used to make

a narcotic drink
fresh water mixed with
noni juice, drunk after
kava.
a drink of either warm or
cold water, with sugar and

cream.
wai `ona

liquor, intoxicating drinks

`alekohola
pia
o `mole o ka pia
o `eke`eke pia
o p`olo pia
o pahu pia
kini, wai ali`i
lama
waina

alcohol
beer
o bottle of beer
o six-pack of beer
o twelve-pack of beer
o case of beer
gin
rum
wine

wekek

whiskey

wai

milk

wai ko`ana waipaka

wai kia
wai ho`opilipili
wai `aila iki
wai he`e
wai piha

buttermilk
condensed milk
imitation milk
low-fat milk
skim milk
whole milk

pahu wai

milk carton

koloaka

soda water

koka / kini koka

soda / can of soda

`ela kinika

ginger ale

iced tea

tea

wai k

wai

water

wai hau
wai pi`ipi`i
wai paipu
wai wela paipu

iced water
mineral / sparkling water
tap water
hot tap water

pua `iwai

water fountain

Drinking-related Words
A toast!

Kmau!
Huli pau!
`kole maluna!

Lit., keep on, persevere.

Lit., overturn completely.
Lit., anus up. (Considered
vulgar)

Kmau k`aha i `olu, i

pahe`e i k pu`u ke moni.

Tip the glass and enjoy it ;

let it glide down your

throat as you swallow
(song).
`mole

bottle

mea wehe kini / mea wehe

`mole

can opener / bottle opener

pola, ipu / p li`li`i

cup / saucer

mea inu

drink

inu ho`omaika`i

drinking

k`aha

drinking glass

k`aha aniani
k`aha `ea

drinking glass, of glass

plastic drinking glass

k`aha pepa

paper drinking glass

meaommo

drinking straw

E kmau k`aha kkou (3+)/kua Let's have a drink.

(you and I).
inu

to drink

inu lama, p k`aha, ho`okmau

to drink intoxicants

inu kena

to drink until satisfied

pkela inu

to drink excessively

inu li`ili`i

to drink sparingly

inu pkiko

to drink temperately

ho`nu, ho`ohinu, hinu,

ho`okmau

to give to drink

`ona

drunk

pk k`aha

to touch glasses, as in drinking.

k`aha inu waina

wine glass

Lesson 19
H`ono`ono `ai
Condiments
`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

waipaka, paka

butter

makalina

margarine

wai noi

chili pepper water

kalima

cream

meli, wai meli, hone

honey

kele

jelly

kele waina
kele kuawa

grape jelly
guava jelly

kele `helo papa

strawberry jelly

kele pah

jam

kai mpala

maple syrup

meoneki

mayonnaise

masakeke

mustard

kai kupekio

oyster sauce

waipa`a pamesana

Parmesan cheese

pnekipaka

peanut butter

pikala

pickle

mea ho`o`ono`ono `ai

salad dressing

pa`akai / pepa

salt / pepper

pa`akai `alaea

koi

shoyu

kpa`a

sugar

red (from red earth) salt

kpa`a h`ae`ae
kpa`a pu`upu`u
kpa`a `ula`ula

powdered sugar
lump sugar
brown sugar

kpa`a ho`oke`oke

white (refined) sugar

Lesson 20
Main Dishes: Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Etc.

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English
`I`o ~ Meat

pipi

beef, cow

pipi ko`ala
pipi palai
`i`o pipi i wili `ia
pipi loke

broiled steak
fried steak
hamburger
roast beef

ake pipi

beef liver

pua`a

pork, pig

pekona / `i`o pua`a uahi

pua`a hame

`pana pua`a

bacon (lit, meat pig

smoked)
ham

pork chop

hipa keiki

lamb

na`aukake `Amelika

hot dog

na`aukake

sausage

`i`o pipi keiki

veal

N Manu `Ai `Ia Like Me Ka Moa ~ Poultry

moa

chicken

moa palai
moa `oma
plaumoa
umauma moa

fried chicken
roasted chicken
drumstick
breast

`h

thigh

kak

duck

peleh

turkey

peleh `oma

roast turkey

He Mea `Ai O Ke Kai ~ Seafood

pua

abalone

`lepe

clam

ppa`i

crab

i`a

fish

ula / `m

lobster / Maine lobster

he`e

octopus

kupekio

oyster

pepeiao

scallop

`pae

shrimp

mhe`e

squid (cuttlefish)
Kl Me Kia ~ Miscellaneous

mea `ono pua`a

manapua (Chinese pork-filled

bun)

pai pika, pika

pizza

kinipai

pot pie

n palaoa me n mea
h`ono`ono i waena

sandwich, lit, the bread with the

delicious things in between

pakeki

spaghetti

Lesson 21
He Mau Kpia
Carbohydrates
KA `LELO HAWAI`I
(HAWAIIAN) :

KA `LELO HAOLE
(ENGLISH) :

ka makaloni

macaroni

ka kaula `ai

noodles

ka poi

poi

ka laiki

rice

ka mea ho`opihapiha

stuffing

ka `uala

potato

ka `uala kahiki
kolikoli
ka `uala kahiki
pepeiao
ka `uala

ka `uala kahiki

ka `ulu

hashed-brown potato
scalloped potato
sweet potato

irish (white) potato

cooked, unpounded
breadfruit

pasta

ka nulu ka `klia

Bakery Goods
ka palaoa, ka pelena

ka pelena, ka h
`ole
ka ppa`a palaoa
ka `omo`omo
palaoa
ka pp palaoa

ka huika piha

bread

unleavened bread
slice of bread
loaf of bread
round loaf of bread

whole wheat

ka pelena

cracker

ka mpina

muffin

ka palaoa mha`uha`u

popover

ka palaoa li`ili`i

roll

Lesson 22
He Mau Mea `Ai Wai
Dairy Products

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

waipaka

butter

waipa`a

cheese, lit., milk hard

waipa`a keka

Cheddar cheese

waipa`ahakuhaku

cottage cheese

waipa`a Pamesana

Parmesan cheese

waipa`a Kuikilani

Swiss cheese

kalima

cream

`aikalima, haukalima

ice cream

kone `aikalima

ice cream cone

phina

ice cream topping

wai

milk

wai ko`ana waipaka

wai ho`opilipili
wai `aila iki
wai he`e
wai piha

buttermilk
imitation milk
low-fat milk
skim milk
whole milk

pahu wai

milk carton

waitepe

yogurt

waitepe

frozen yogurt

Lesson 23
Lau `Ai
Produce

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

kawowo `alapapa

alfalfa sprout

`alikoka

artichoke

ppapa

bean

ppapa ha`a
ppapa laima
ppapa loloa
ppapa koi

bush bean
lima bean
long bean
soy bean

ppapa hihi

string bean

kawowo ppapa

bean sprout

pike

beet

palakak

broccoli

kpiki

cabbage

kloke

carrot

kalipalaoa

cauliflower

kelaki, kalel

celery

klina `ono

corn, sweet

kaikona

daikon

lahopipi

eggplant

hpu`u

fern
garlic

`aka`akai plau

lit., smelly onion

`aka`akai pp

lit., bunched onion

`awapuhi `ai

ginger, lit., edible onion

lekuke

lettuce

Melehune, kkaelio

mushroom

`aka`akai

onion

`aka`akai lau
`aka`akai `o`a

lit., green onion, leaves

eaten with salt salmon
green onion with purple
bulb becoming white
close to tip

`aka`akai lina

green onion with white

bulb with purple inside

common variety of onion

`aka`akai kula pepeiao

`aka`akai k makahiki

big, yellowish onion

purplish, annual onion

`aka`akai mahina

wild onion, lit., moon

onion

pakal

parsley

ppapa poepoe

pea

noi

pepper, red

noi kmakahala

chili pepper

noi nunui

large peppers, much

liked by Hawaiians in
relishes, lit., big pepper

potato

`uala

`uala kahiki Palani palai

`uala kahiki kolikoli
`uala kahiki pepeiao
`uala

French fried potato

hashed-brown potato
scalloped potato
sweet potato

`uala kahiki

Irish (white) potato

lakika

radish

sleta

salad

ho`o`no`ono lau `ai

salad dressing

waipa`a pol
Kakalina
Palani
Ikalia
wahi hnai pipi
Kaukani Moku

waina a me wneka

blue cheese
Catalina
French
Italian
Ranch
Thousand Island

wine and vinegar

pipinola

squash

kalo, `ai

taro

`hia, `hia lomi, `hia haole,

komako, kamako

tomato

`ai

vegetable food, taro

l`au

young taro leaves

skini

zucchini

Lesson 24
He Mau Monamona a me Kanak
Desserts and Candies

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

mea `ono palauni, palauni

brownie

mea `ono

cake

kanak

candy

kanak kalamela

caramel candy

kanak kokoleka

chocolate candy

haupia

coconut pudding, made with

coconut cream, sugar,
cornstarch.

mea `ono kuki, kuki

cookie

monamona

dessert

koneko

doughnut

hauwaitepe

frozen yogurt

hua

fruit

kokoleka phoehoe

fudge

`nina

gelatin

`awakeke

gingerbread

`aikalima

ice cream

kone `aikalima

ice cream cone

phina

ice cream topping

hau kahi `ia

ice shave, shaved ice

ppapa kele

jelly bean

kanak `au, k ommo

lollipop, sucker

wai luliluli

milk shake

pak pneke

peanut brittle

pai

pie

pai `pala
pai niu
pai hua
pai p, pai pala`ai
pai wela n mea `oki`oki
`ia

apple pie
coconut pie
custard, egg, fruit pie
pumpkin pie
hot mince pie

piece of pie

`pana o ka pai

`aikalima `au

popsicle

pkini

pudding

pkini mai`a
pkini kokoleka

banana pudding
chocolate pudding

pkini wanila

vanilla pudding

mea `ono `helo papa

strawberry shortcake

klolo

pudding, made with baked or

steamed grated taro and coconut
cream.

Lesson 25

N Mea O Ke Pkaukau
Table Setting

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian

English

pola / `umeke

bowl

`ie palaoa

bread basket

ihoiho

candle

ipukukui, k ihoiho

candlestick

`p koli kukui

candlestick snuffer

l`au `ai, l`au llau mea `ai

chopsticks

pola, ipu / p li`li`i

cup / saucer

papa`aina, papa p`ina,

pkaukau `aina

dining table

p pepa

paper plate

alelomo`o

party favor

plate

fork

k `aha

(drinking) glass

p aniani

glass dish

pahi

knife

kwele

napkin

p saleta

salad plate

p hohonu

soup plate, lit., deep plate

puna

spoon

uhi pkaukau, pale pkaukau

tablecloth

moena kau pkaukau

tablemat

k `aha inu waina

wineglass

Lesson 26

N Mea Ho`onani (Ho`oma`ma`e) Kino

Toiletries

`lelo Hawai`i

`lelo Haole

Hawaiian:

English:

lopi niho

dental floss; to floss one's

teeth

lkini p`ae`ae

deodorant

houpo

diaphragm

aniani

mirror

aniani pa`a lima

hand-held mirror

aniani piki, aniani

li`ili`i

small mirror to keep in

purse

pahi kahi

razor

kopa

soap

l`au pulupulu

swab (cotton), q-tip

hainak pepa

tissue

palaki niho

toothbrush

poho palaki niho

kauna palaki niho

pauka niho

toothbrush container,
usually made of plastic

toothbrush holder

toothpaste

(ke) pani

toothpaste cap

poho pauka niho

toothpaste tube

kele ho`opahe`e

Vaseline / petrolatum

Na mea lauoho / Hair accessories

n mea lauoho

hair things

pine lauoho

barrette, hairclip

kahi `mi`i lauoho

folding hairclip with

teeth

`mi`i lauoho

bobby pin

kahi

comb

apo po`o

hair band

palaki lauoho

hairbrush

ho`oponopono lauoho

to style hair, for play,

movie or video
production

palaholo lauoho

hair gel, as in dep

holoi lauoho

shampoo
Pena maka ~ Makeup

pena maka

makeup

ho`ou`iu`i,
ho`onaninani, pena
maka

to put on makeup

makeup artist, as for a

play, movie, or video
production

mea pena maka

hehelo pplina

blush

mahaka maka

eye liner

pauka helehelena

face powder

hana / kau i ka pauka

helehelena

lihilihi maka ku`i

to put on face powder

false eyelashes

kau / komo i ka lihilihi

maka ku`i

to put on false
eyelashes

palaina helehelena

foundation (for makeup)

peni pena waha, peni pena

lehelehe

lip liner

pena waha, pena lehelehe

lipstick

hana i ka pena waha

pena lihilihi maka

to put on lipstick

mascara

hana i ka pena lihilihi

maka

to put on mascara

Lesson 27
Ka Lumi Ho`opaupilikia ~ The Bathroom

`lelo Hawai`i
Hawaiian:

`lelo Haole
English:

Mkini (home) ~ Appliances (home)

pe`ahi uila

electric fan

lki

radio

oeoe uahi

smoke alarm
N Pono Pa`a Mau ~ Bathroom fixtures

kapu `au`au

bath tub

lou kau lole

clothes hook

papakau

counter

linoleuma, moena `ili

linoleum

waihona l`au lapa`au

medicine cabinet

aniani

mirror

kahi holoi p

sink

k wai
(ke) `au k wai
wai paipu
wai wela paipu
ho`opa`a i ke k wai

faucet
faucet handle
tap water
hot tap water
to turn off the water

wehe i ke k wai

to turn on the water

Kililau

shower

`au`au kililau
kililau lima
ppale kililau
pale kililau
ke`ena kililau

to take a shower
hand-held shower
shower cap
shower curtain
shower stall

(ke) po`o kililau

shower head

noho k

stool (without a back)

lua

toilet

ipu ho`opaupilikia, ipu

lua
(ke) `au ho`oku`u
pepa hleu, hleu
noho lua

Ho`oku`u i ka wai o ka

toilet bowl
toilet handle
toilet paper
toilet seat
To flush the toilet

lua, ho`oholo i ka wai

kaola kwele

towel rack

ipu mimi, mana

urinal

kula ho`owela wai, pahu

ho`owela wai

water heater

Kl Mea Kia Mea o ka Lumi Ho`opaupilikia

Miscellaneous Bathroom Items
anapaona , anapaona home

bathroom scale

ihoiho, ihoiho kukui

candle

kkae pele, ahi

poho ahi

match
matchbox

pena ahipele

pack of matches

`hlo`a

dispenser

`hlo`a kopa

soap dispenser

`hlo`a kwele pepa

paper towel dispenser

k`aha

drinking glass

aniani pa`a lima

hand mirror

kopa

soap

(ke) p kopa

soap dish

kauna palaki niho

toothbrush holder

kwele `au`au

towel (bath)

kwele pepa

paper towel

hainak pepa

tissue

kini `pala

trash can

pika pua

vase

pua

flower

N Mea Lumi ~ Room elements

moena / moena weleweka,
kpeka

carpet, mat, rug / carpeting

kilina / paia / papahele

ceiling / wall / floor

puka komo

door

hemo

ajar, unlocked

hmama

wide-open

puka uila

electrical outlet

kukui

lamp, light

aniani kukui uila

plulu kukui
kaukukui, waihona
kukui
pana kukui
ho`opio
ho`

uate

ki`i

light bulb
lamp shade
lamp stand
light switch
to turn off
to turn on

watt

picture

mlina ki`i

N mea heluhelu:

picture frame

Reading materials:

puke

book

lepe puke
haka kau puke
makakina

bookmark
bookshelf
magazine

npepa

newspaper

o
o

o
o

hakakau

shelf

pukaaniani

window

pukaaniani `lepe
pale pukaaniani
`lepelepe
pale pukaaniani
mlina pukaaniani

jalousie
Venetian blinds
window curtain
window frame or
molding

paepae pukaaniani

window sill

Lesson 28
Ka Lumi Moe ~ The Bedroom

`lelo Hawai`i
Hawaiian:

`lelo Haole:
English

Mkini Home ~ Home Appliances

uaki ho`la

alarm clock

mkini ho`okani lola / c.d.

(pronounced sd)

cassette / compact disc

(C.D.) player

pe`ahi uila

electric fan

lki

radio

oeoe uahi

smoke alarm

kw

T.V.

kaula uea, uea

knela

cable
channel

kia pihi

remote control

mkini wiki

video cassette recorder

(V.C.R.)
Moe ~ Bed

hao pela

bed frame

pou moe

bed post

lumi moe

bedroom

lumi moe haku

master bedroom

lumi moe malihini

guest bedroom

hli`i moe, hli`i pela

bed sheet

pkaukau moe

bedside table / nightstand

uhimoe

bedspread

pilina moe

bedsprings

kapa moe

blanket

kapa uila

electric blanket

kapa huluhulu,
huluhulu

heavy, woolen blanket

kmoe

headboard

uluna

pillow

pale uluna

kapa kuiki

pillow case

quilt

Pono Hale o ka Lumi Moe ~ Bedroom Furniture

pahu `ume

dresser, bureau

`ume
pheo, pheoheo

drawer
knob-style handle

(ke) `au

handle of drawer

pkaukau / noho

table, desk / chair

lako kkau

stationery supplies

knana
kleka aloha
pepa / peni / penikala

stationery
greeting card
paper / pen / pencil

po`oleka / kau i ka
po`oleka

postage stamp / to put

on a stamp

N Aloha o ka Lumi Moe ~ Bedroom Greetings

Aloha kakahiaka!

E ala e!

Good morning!

Wake up! , arise!

(Good night!)

E hiamoe pono `oe. /

e hiamoe maika`i `oe.

A hui hou i kakahiaka.

Sleep well.

See you in the

morning.

Kl mea kia mea o ka lumi moe

Miscellaneous bedroom items
ihoiho, ihoiho kukui

candle

kkae pele, ahi

poho ahi

match
matchbox

pena ahipele

pack of matches

waihona lole

k lole

closet (clothes)

clothes hanger

k`aha

drinking glass

hainak pepa

tissue

kini `pala

trash can

pika pua

vase

pua

flower

N Mea Lumi ~ Room Elements

moena / moena weleweka,
kpeka

carpet, mat, rug / carpeting

kilina / paia / papahele

ceiling / wall / floor

(ke) pani puka

door, as opposed to
doorway

hemo / hmama
kikihi
`ami puka, `ami puka
paepae puka
pani puka uea makika
puka uai, `puka uai
pheo puka,
pheoheo puka

ko`o puka, ko`o

`puka

ajar, unlocked / wideopen

door frame, molding
door hinge
door threshold
screen door
sliding door
doorknob

doorstop

puka uila

electrical outlet

kukui

lamp, light

aniani kukui uila

plulu kukui
kaukukui, waihona
kukui
pana kukui
ho`opio
ho`

uate

ki`i

light bulb
lamp shade
lamp stand
light switch
to turn off
to turn on

watt

picture

mlina ki`i

N mea heluhelu:

puke

picture frame

Reading materials:

book

lepe puke
haka kau puke
makakina

bookmark
bookshelf
magazine

npepa

newspaper

o
o

o
o

hakakau

shelf

kelepona

telephone

wili

dial

`apo kelepona

telephone receiver

puke kelepona

telephone book

pukaaniani

window

pukaaniani `lepe
pale pukaaniani
`lepelepe
pale pukaaniani
mlina pukaaniani

jalousie
Venetian blinds
window curtain
window frame or
molding

paepae pukaaniani

window sill

Lesson 29
Sacred Hawai`i

`lelo Hawai`i
Hawaiian:

`lelo Haole
English:

`ina

land

[AI' nah]

aloha `ina
[ah loh' hah AI' nah]

love of the land, a very old

Hawaiian concept, to judge
from the many sayings
(perhaps thousands)
illustrating deep love and
reverence for the land.
e.g., the song,
Kaulana N Pua
Motto of Hawai`i

Ua mau ke ea o ka `ina i ka pono.

[oo' (w)ah mau keh(y)eh (y)AO' kah AI' nah (y)ee ka poh noh]
"The life of the land is preserved in righteousness
(harmony / balance)."

Akua, akua
[ah' koo (w)ah]

God, god, goddess, spirit,

ghost, devil, image, idol,
corpse; divine, supernatural,
godly

"For lack of a better term, this word is generally translated as

god. However, the Polynesian concept of god does not parallel

that of the traditional all-powerful, all-present divinity of Western
man.
The Polynesian "gods" are the personal ancestors of the people
who, with the passage of time, acquired so much mana (spiritual
power) that they could do supernatural works; the gods are called
upon as family members." J. Gutmanis

aloha akua
[ah loh' HAH' koo (w)ah]

love of god; divine love,

pity, charity
supreme, best, great

[EE']

Ka ` i mamao
[kah EE' (y)ee mah mao']

`i`o
[ee' oh]

Ka akua `i`o

"The supreme one at a

distance"
true, genuine, significant
The true god

[KAH' koo (w)ah ee' oh]

`an`an
[ah NAH' ah NAH']

maunu
[mau' noo]

`aumkua
[au' MAH' koo(w)ah]

black magic; sorcery by

means of prayer and
incantations
bait; objects used in black
magic, as hair, spittle,
parings, excreta, clothing,
food leavings.
family or personal spiritual
guide or "god"; a general
term for spirits higher than
human beings; deified
ancestors, guardian spirits
and angels who may manifest
in nature; God-self, higher
self. Fig., a trustworthy
person.

A symbiotic relationship exists between person and `aumkua, the

personal guardians of each individual and their family and the ancient
source gods from whom Hawaiians were descended.
`Aumkua can manifest in nature. The form varies family to family.
Whatever its form, the `aumakua is one specific shark, owl, etc. However,
all members of the species are treated with respect of family members.
If family aumkua, these manifestations were not harmed or eaten; in
turn, `aumkua warned and reprimanded in dreams, visions, and calls.
"`Aumkua are intimate members of the human family, spiritual
relationships with them are especially close and their presence is sought
for feast and festivity, as well as in time of crisis. They act as healers and
advisors, counteracting troubles and punishing faults." ~ J. Gutmanis
`Aumkua could appear as:

pueo

owl

[poo(w)eh(y)oh]

(as at Mnoa, O`ahu, Ka` and

Puna)

man

shark

[mah NOH']

(all islands except Kaua`i)

`io

hawk

[ee' (y)oh]

(Hawai`i)

`elepaio

flycatcher bird,

[eh leh pai' (y)oh]

goddess of canoe makers

`i`iwi

scarlet honeycreeper bird,

[ee ee' vee]

its feathers were used extensively

in featherwork.

`iwi
[ee' vee]

`alae

mudhen,

[ah lae']

a black wading bird with red frontal

plate; its cry is a bad omen.

he`e

octopus,

[heh' eh]

commonly known as squid

puhi

eel

[poo' hee]

`iole li`ili`i

mice

[ee(y)oh' leh lee' ee lee' ee]

`iole

rat

[ee(y)oh' leh]

`lio

dog

[EE' lee (y)oh]

mo`o

lizard, reptile

[moh' oh]

pe`elua

caterpillar

[peh' eh loo' (w)ah]

`enuhe
[ee noo' heh]

nuhe
[noo' heh]

`anuhe
[ah noo' heh]

poko
[poh' koh]

phaku

rock

[POH' hah koo]

leho

cowry shell

[leh' hoh]

ao

cloud

[ ao ]

mea kanu
[meh' (y)ah kah' noo]

plant

breath, also lifes breath,

four; to breathe, exhale; to
breathe upon after praying
and before prognosticating.

h
[HAH']

ane
[ah' neh]

mauli ola

breath of life, passing as a

breeze.

[mau' lee(y)oh' lah ]

breath of life, power of

healing

heiau

place of worship, shrine.

[hei' (y)au']
Some heiau were elaborately constructed, massive stone platforms,
others, simple terraces. Many are preserved today.
There were heiau for treating the sick, for the increase of food crops, for
insuring good fishing, for insuring or stopping rain, for mo`o (reptilian)
spirits, and for success in war.

h`ailona

omen, sign, portent, symbol

[HOH' ai loh nah]

The `alae (mudhen) is called manu ke`u ahiahi, the bird

that croaks in the evening (considered a bad omen).

Ka hekili p malo`o (the thunder without rain) is

considered an omen.

kula
[KAU' lah]

kilo
[kee' loh ]

prophet, seer, magician, as

in Lanikula, powerful kula
of Moloka`i.
stargazer, reader of
omens, seer, astrologer,
necromancer.

nn ao

cloud interpreter, one who

observes the clouds; to
observe omens in the clouds;
seer, forecaster.

nn uli

to study the sky for

omens; one who does so.

`uli

sign, omen, portent,

prognostication, nature,
symptom, character; mood in
grammar

ha`i `uli

to prognosticate, declare
the future according to signs;
to interpret omens.

ho`okupu
[hoh' oh koo' poo]

offering, ceremonial giftgiving

ho`oma`ema`e `ana

purification, spiritual

[hoh' oh mah' eh mah' eh ah' nah]

hwai
[HAH' vai']

hi`uwai
[hee oo wai']

cleansing
to purify with water; a
temporary long, gabled house
in which priestesses
assembled for purification
ceremonies.
water purification
festivities on the second
night of the month of Welehu
(near the end of the year).

The people bathed and frolicked in the sea or stream after midnight, then
put on their finest kapa and ornaments for feasting and games.

huikala
[hui' kah lah]

kapu kai
[kah' poo kai']

kapukapu kai
[kah' poo kah' poo kai']

k
[KEE']

lele uli
[leh' leh (y)oo' lee]

lele wai
[leh' leh wai']

p kai
[PEE' kai']

p kai kea
[PEE' kai' keh'(y)ah]

to absolve entirely; forgive

all faults, excuse, cleanse and
purify morally; pardon,
atonement, absolution;
ceremonial cleansing.
E huikala `oukou i `oukou
iho
(Sanctify yourselves).
ceremonial sea bath for
purification
to purify by sprinkling with
salt water (kava, ordinarily
kapu to women, might be
made noa, or free of kapu by
sprinkling the place in this
fashion, usually termed p kai.
ti, a woody plant. Green ti
leaves are believed to afford
protection from spirits and to
purify a menstruating woman.
to dispel darkness; to
purify or cleanse, as in a
religious ceremony.
to purge, cleanse, purify
with water of purification.

to sprinkle with sea

water or salted fresh
water to purify or
remove kapu, as
formerly done after a
death or after a boy's
subincision.

to sprinkle with white sea

(from waves and not from

salted fresh water)

p kai `lena
[PEE' kai' OH' leh nah]

ho`oponopono
[hoh' oh poh' noh poh' noh]

hula
[hoo' lah]

`ike
[ee' keh]

`ike pplua
[ee' keh PAH' PAH' loo(w)ah]

haili moe

to sprinkle with sea water

or salt water, mixed with a bit
of `lena (ground turmeric
root) to purify or remove
kapu.
mental cleansing: family
conferences in which
relationships are set right
with prayer, discussion,
confession, repentance,
mutual restitution and
forgiveness.
Hawaiian dance with spiritual
origins.
to see, to know; to receive
revelations from the gods
to have the gift of second
sight and commune with the
spirits; supernatural
knowledge; E.S.P.
premonition, as in a dream

[hai' lee moe']

hihi`o
[hee hee' oh ]

mea punihei i n mea

iwaiwa

a dream or vision, as while

dozing
mystic

[meh'(y)ah poo nee HEI (y)ee NAH'

meh'(y)ah (y)AI' vai' vah]

inoa
[ee noh'(w)ah]

name, considered sacred;

name chant or song

Naming has strong spiritual significance, often connected with a

dream or vision. Babies are carefully and meaningfully named,
and their names are alterable over time.
Often, names described personality or physical characteristics,
social standing, unique skills or aptitudes, and aspirations.

Ola ka inoa
[oh' lah kai' noh(w)ah]

He inoa no ka lani
[hei' noh(w)ah noh kah lah' nee]

inoa p
[ee noh(w)ah POH']

"The name lives" (a family

name is given to a child).
a name chant in honor of
the chief
dream name, as a name for
an infant received in a dream;
it was thought that if the
name were not given, the
child would be sickly or die.

 inoa ` l leo
[ee noh(w)ah OO' LAH' leh' oh]

a name given to a child by

a supernatural voice, usually
heard right before the child's
birth; a voice name.
bone, the bones

iwi
[ee' vee ]

n iwi
[NAI' vee]
The bones of the dead, considered the most cherished possession, were
hidden, and hence there are many figurative expressions with iwi,
meaning life, old age.
o

K k iwi `ina hnau.

Your own land of birth.

Na wai e ho`la i n iwi

Who will save the bones?
Fig., who will care for one in old age and in death?

kaula`i iwi

to talk too much of one's

family affairs or ancestors, to
tell the cherished stories, and
chants of one's ancestors ( a
taunt to those who reveal too
much of the Hawaiian past).

kaula`i l

to bleach in the sun, to dry

out the bones, meaning to
expose the bones of the
ancestors, a crime.

kahu

minister, guardian

[kah' hoo]

kahuna
[kah hoo' nah]

kahuna `an`an

priest, sorcerer, magician,

wizard, expert in any
profession (male or female);
in the 1845 laws, medical
professionals were called
kahuna.
sorcerer who practices
black magic or counter
sorcery, as one who prays a
person to death.

kahuna a`o

teaching preacher,
minister, sorcerer

kahuna ha`i `lelo

preacher, especially an
itinerant preacher

kahuna ho`o hpai keiki

medical expert who

induced pregnancy

kahuna ho`opi`opi`o

malevolent sorcerer, as

one who inflicts illness by

gesture, as rubbing his own
head to give the victim a
severe headache or head
injury.
kahuna ho`oulu `ai

agricultural expert

kahuna ho`oulu la hui

priest who increased

population by praying for
pregnancy

kahuna hui

a priest who functioned in

ceremonies for the deification
of a king or who detected
symptoms of sorcery in one
sick or dead.

kahuna k lai

carving expert; sculptor

kahuna k lai wa`a

canoe builder

kahuna ki`i

caretaker of images, who

wrapped oiled, and stored
them, and carried them into
battle ahead of the chief.

kahuna kilokilo

priest or expert who

studied the skies for omens.

kahuna lapa`au

medical doctor, medical

practitioner, healer. Lit.,
curing expert

kahuna makani

a priest who induced

spirits to possess a patient
so that he might then drive
the spirits out, thus curing
the patient. Lit., spirit priest.

kahuna pule

preacher, pastor, minister,

parson, priest. Lit., prayer
expert

Kahu "implies the most intimate and confidential relations between the
god and its guardian or keeper", while the word kahuna suggests more
of the professional relation of the priest to the community" ~ Emerson

kala
[kah' lah]

to forgive, pardon, excuse;

prayer to free one from any
evil influence; to practice
counter-sorcery;
spiritual cleansing.

kanaka lele
[kah nah' kah leh' leh]

angel. Lit. flying person.

[kah' poo]

sacredness, holy,
consecrated; prohibition;
taboo

kuahu

altar

kapu

[koo'(w)ah hoo ]

kupua
[koo poo'(w)ah]

sacred, holy, devoted,

consecrated, set apart for
sacred purposes, dedicated.

la`a
[lah' ah]

demigod or culture hero,

especially a supernaural
being possessin several
forms as Kamapua`a and
Laenihi; one possessing
mana; to posses kupua
(magic) powers.

waihona mea la`a

la`a kea
[lah' ah keh'(y)ah]

place for sacred objects,

treasure chest
sacred light, sacred things of
day, as sunshine, knowledge,
happiness. Lit., light
sacredness

E nn `ia ka pulapula i ka la`a kea i ka la`a uli.

May the descendants be cared for in times of light
and times of misfortune.

ho`omlamalama

enlighten

[hoh' oh MAH' lah mah lah

mah]

kaiao
[kai' (y)ao']

mlamalama

dawn, to enlighten;
Ua kaiao kkou
(We are enlightened).

[MAH' lah mah lah mah]

light of knowledge,
enlightenment; shining,
radiant, clear

na`auao

enlightened

[nah au' (w)ao']

ao
[ao]

lani
[lah' nee]

alohilani

Kuaihelani

sky, heaven; heavenly,

spiritual; royal, high-born
brightness of heaven, a
term applied to the heavenly
courts of the goddesses Uli
and Kapo.
a famous legendary place
in the high heavens, a home

of the deified dead. `Elua n

mpuna hoe, k `oe i
Kuaihelani (two paddle dips
and you reach Kuaihelani).
Lanikeha

legendary part of heaven;

frequent name for residences
of high chiefs, e.g.,
Kamehameha IIIs residence
in Lahaina.

lani nu`u

highest heaven

papalani

heavenly stratum, heaven

and all the spiritual powers;
upper regions of air, upper
heavens, firmament

makani

wind, breeze; ghost, spirit; a

wind priesthood with powers
over mystic spirits

[mah kah' nee]

makani noho

to serve, honor, as God, care,

tend, protect, to care of , care
for.

mlama
[MAH' lah mah]

mlamalama

spirit that possesses a

medium and speaks through
him. Lit., spirit that takes
possession

light of knowledge,
enlightenment; shining,
radiant, clear

ku`u Akua, e mlama au i `oe ma ka no`ono`o.

O my God, let me serve you in thought.

mana
[mah' nah]

supernatural or divine power,

mana, miraculous power;
miraculous; divinely
powerful, possessed of mana,
power, spiritual; spiritual
essence, spiritual force (chi,
ki, prana); branch.

"Mana is a spiritual force/supernatural power that at times

shows physical manifestations. It can be acquired as a gift of
the gods, through ritual, won through prayers or actions, the
force of words, or through inheritance." ~ J. Gutmanis

ho`omana

to worship

mana loa

great power, almighty

mana weu lani

branch with divine foliage

(chief)

 manamana

to impart mana, to deify;

branches; fingers, toes

mana piha

supreme, absolute power

mana`o

thought, idea, belief,

meaning, suggestion, mind

[mah nah' oh]

ka mea i man`o `ia

the one thought of (the

intended victim of sorcery)

mana`o `i`o / kpa`a /

paulele

faith, confidence; to have

confidence; to believe

klele

To have faith

manawa

time, turn, season, date;

affections, seat of emotion,
heart, feelings

[mah nah' vah]

manawa mau loa

eternal, eternity

manawa pono / manawa

k pono

opportune time

manawale`a

a generous heart, charity,

alms, donation; to give freely
and willingly; gratis, free,
benevolent, beneficent

mai kia manawa mau

loa aku

from now to eternity; from

now on and forever

mauli

life, heart, seat of life; ghost,

spirit

[mau' lee]

ka l i ka mauli ola

sun as the source of life

Mauliola / Lonoph

god of health / god of

healing

mauli ola

breath of life, power of

healing

mauli hiwa

choice or precious life

mo`o

lizard, reptile of any kind,

dragon; serpent; water spirit.

[moh' oh]

na`au
[nah au' ]

na`au ali`i

intestines, bowels, guts;

mind, heart, affections; of the
heart and mind. Fig., child.
kind, thoughtful, forgiving,
loving, possessed of aloha,
beneficent, benevolent,
loving heart.

 na`au aloha

filled with aloha,

beneficent, benevolent.

na`au pono

upright; just; right-minded;

upright heart

`ohana

family

[oh hah' nah]

kupuna
[koo poo' nah]

phaku

grandparent, ancestor,
relative or close relative of
the grandparents generation,
grandaunt, granduncle.
rock, stone, mineral, tablet

[POH' hah koo]

kahalili

sanctified stone used by a

priest in `an`an sorcery; to
exhibit wrath or displeasure
due to jealousy.

kahaloa

a stone brought before a

priest in sorcery prayers.

phaku `aumakua

stone believed possessed

by an `aumakua god.

phaku kupua

stones with mana to

prolong life or cure sickness

phaku o Kne

Stone monuments that

were places of refuge
(pu`uhonua) where families
made offerings, such as pig,
red fish, kava, and tapas, to
atone for wrong-doing. Lit.,
stone of Kne.

pule

prayer, magic spell,

incantation, blessing, church
service, church; to pray,
worship, say grace, ask a
blessing, cast a spell.

[poo' leh]

Prayer is the exchange between a person and his/her god/s.

Hawaiians saw manifestations of the gods everywhere, and
their prayers were as frequent as conversations with close
friends.
"The potency of the prayers offered to these gods comes not
only from the reminders of family ties but can also come
from the sincerity of the person paying, from the power
inherent in the words used, and from the mana the prayers
have acquired through repeated and successful use. It can
also come form the skill of the one who is offering the
prayer." ~J. Gutmanis

`mama
[AH' mah mah]

`eli`eli
[eh' lee eh' lee]

`mama, `eli`eli kapu,

`eli`eli noa.
[AH' mah mah, eh' lee eh' lee kah'
poo eh' lee eh' kee noh'(w)ah ]

`Eli`eli kau mai.

[eh' lee eh' lee kau' mai']

Finished, of a pre-Christian
prayer (said almost at the end
of a prayer); to finish a
prayer, to pray and sacrifice.
`mama, ua noa (the prayer is
said, the kapu is over).
to dig often. Fig., firmly
rooted, profound, deep as a
kapu, or its removal;
reverence.
"The kapu is over,
profound has been the kapu,
profound is the freeing."
"May a profound reverence
alight" (solemn supplication
at the end of a prayer).

ho`la ma`i me ka pule /

l`au khea

faith healing

kuleana pule

necessary prayers, prayer

responsibilities

lele wale

to fly, jump, move of one's

own accord or for no reason;
in ancient prayers, to speed
on, as a prayer to a god.
`mama, ua noa, lele wale
(The prayer is finished, the
kapu is lifted; go, prayer ( or,
the kapu is lifted and quite
departed).

pmaika`i

blessing, blessed

waip

request, prayer as to the

gods

Pl ka`u waih me ka`u

waip aku i `oe e ke akua.

"Such is my request and

prayer to you, O God."

`uhane

spirit, soul, ghost

[oo hah' neh]

k ka `uhane

spiritual things

lele ka `uhane

the soul leaves (death)

mana `uhane

spiritual power

pili `uhane

spiritual

po`i `uhane

soul-snatching

 pono `uhane

spiritual welfare

pu`u k `akahi

tarrying place of souls

`uhane hau ka`e

wandering, friendless
spirits

`uhane hele

a traveling spirit, usually of

a living person.

`uhane kia`i

guardian spirit

`uhane khei pua

a spirit partially controlling

a person and giving him
strength, animation or
talents.

`uhane noho

a spirit possessing a
person completely and
talking through him.

`uhane `ole

without a soul; shameless,

like a beast

`uhane `ololi

thin, shriveled soul or

ghost

wai

water

[wai] [vai]

Ho`okahi wai `o like

The sameness of a single

dye. Fig., unity.

E wai kahi ka pono i

mnalo

Better sweeten with a

single color. Fig., unity to find
serenity.

Ho`olana i ka wai ke ola

Life floats on water (near

death)

wai `apo

water caught in a taro leaf,

often used in ceremonies, as
it was regarded as pure in not
having touched the ground.
fig., beloved mate, spouse.
lit., caught water.

wai ea

sea water used for

purification. lit., water of life.

wai h

water upon which the h

(breath) of the priest has
been expelled in order to
impart mana; to give mana by
breathing upon an image or
person; to request earnestly
in prayer.

 wai hua

water-drop caught as in a
taro leaf, much liked for
purification and medicine, as
it has not touched the earth.

wai hui kala

water for purification

wai `ihi

sacred blood, as of royalty.

fig., prominent, royal

wai lani

rain water, especially as

used for medicine and
purification

waip

request, prayer, as to the

gods

waiwai

value, wealth, rich;

richness

waiwai nui

great wealth, fortune

Lesson 30
N Hua `lelo Puolo / Music Words

puolo

music

mea ho`okani pila

musician,
especially one who
plays Hawaiian
music

pila

any stringed
instrument

From the English,

fiddle.

pila ho`okani

instrumental music

ho`okani = to make
sound

ho`okani, ho`okani
pila

to play music

Kani ka pila!

Play music!

General Music Terminology

h`ailona mele

clef

h`ailona = symbol

h`ailona
mele leo
kne, leo
kne

bass clef

leo kne = male

voice

h`ailona
mele leo
wahine, leo
wahine

treble clef

leo wahine = female

voice

key, pitch; to tune

k alaka`i

tonic, keynote

k, ki`ina o ka pitch
leo, kani

ki`ina leo
ki`eki`e

high pitch

leo ha`aha`a

low pitch

Lit., leading key

ki`ina = voice
intonation

kho`oikaika

staccato mark (dot

or wedge) over a
note

k huamele

duration

k h`alu

slack key (the first and last strings of

theguitar are tuned to D, instead of E; the
strings are picked individually and not
chorded).

hui, mele hui

chorus (of a song)

pana o ka mele

rhythm, beat

beat, rhythm, as of a
dance or instrument;
thump of a gourd down
on a pad, with one quick
slap of the fingers as the
gourd is raised.

P maila ka
leo hone o
ka waiolina.

pleoleo

The sweet sound of a

violin reached here.
rap music

ikaika = strong

pana =
heartbeat,
pulse

N Huamele / Notes
huamele

musical note

huamele laina

line note

hua `oko`a, po`o

whole note

po`olima, hua hapa

half note

hua hapah

quarter note

po`omana

eighth note

po`omanalua

sixteenth note

po`omanakolu

thirty-second note

`oi

sharp

emi

flat

Alapi`i Mele, Pkl / Musical Scale

p

do

re

mi

fa

so

la

ti

do

N Lele / Intervals
lele

interval, the difference in pitch between two tones,

always followed by a number from one to six,

especially lele kolu, and interval of a third, as from
C to E, or lele lima, an interval of a fifth. Minor
intervals are followed by hapa, as lele kolu hapa,
an interval of a minor third. Lele may also be
followed by p- and a number, to skip that number
of notes.
kanihapa

half-step interval in
music, a minor second.

kani = sound
hapa = part

kanipiha

whole step interval in

music, a major second.

kani = sound
piha = full

N Hua Mhoe / Chords

hua mhoe, he mau hua chord, chords
mhoe

hua = note
mhoe = twins

hua mhoe mkia major chord

mkia = major (English)

hua mhoe
mina

minor chord

mina = minor (English)

hua mhoe `eono

sixth chord

`eono = sixth

hua mhoe
`ehiku

seventh chord

`ehiku = seventh

hua mhoe `eiwa

ninth chord

`eiwa = ninth

Band Terminology
pna puhi `ohe , hui
puhi `ohe

band (of wind

instruments)

`ale`o puhi `ohe

bandstand

alaka`i pna

band leader / master

maile pana

band masters baton

alaka`i = leader

Lesson 31
Ke Mele a me ke Oli ~ Song and Chant

mele

Song, anthem, or chant of any kind; poem,

poetry; to sing, chant (preceded by both ke
and ka); vocal music.

oli

Chant, not danced to, especially with

prolonged phrases chanted in one breath,
often with a trill (`i`i ) at the end of each
phrase.

hmeni

Hymn, any song not used for hula.

Transliterated from the English, hymn.

Hidden meaning, as in mele

and oli; concealed reference,
as to a person, thing or place;
words with double meanings
that might bring good or bad
fortune.

kaona

No wai ke kaona o kia mele?

Who is being referred to in veiled language in that
song?
Kaona ho`o`ino`ino (pejorative innuendo).
For an example, learn the meaning of the words to
Kaulana N Pua.

Ka Po`e o Ka Mele / The People of Song

anaina

Audience.

haku mele

Composer, poet; to compose songs or

chants.

In Hawaiian thinking, ka haku o ke mele (the owner of a song or a

chant) is the one for whom it was composed (rather than the
composer). Thus, the following distinction is made:
Kna mele means "his/her song", that which is sung or

composed BY that person. No ownership is implied.

Kona mele also means "his/her song", that which has been
composed FOR that person. Ownership is understood.

ho`opa`a

Drummer and hula chanter. Lit., the

memorizer.
ROOT WORDS:
ho`opa`a (to make pa`a (solid),
memorize)

ka`i pu`ukani

Vocal coach.
ROOT WORDS:
ka`i (to lead) + pu`ukani (singer)

mea hmeni

Singer of hymns or any song not

used for hula.
Root words:
Mea (person, thing) + hmeni (hymn,
song)

mea oli

Chanter.
ROOT WORDS:
mea (person, thing) + oli (chant)

pu`ukani

Singer. Also used as an adjective:

sweet-voiced as in singing; sweettoned.
Root words:
pu`u (mound, throat) + kani (sound).

Ho`omele / To Sing
English uses the word, sing, in many contexts. Ka `lelo Hawai`i is
more context-specific, using different words for various modes of
singing.

mele

To sing, to chant (preceded by both ke

or ka). Ho`omele, to cause to sing or
chant.

hmeni

To sing hymns or any song not used for

hula.
hmeni aku ka po`e hmeni.
The singers sang.

Plural of mele, to sing.

memele

N po`e memele.
The singers.
Eia n `nela ke memele nei.
Here the angels sing.

hea

To sing or recite a name chant.

kani

To sing, as birds.

koihonua

To sing genealogical chants; to sing

such chants; also, presto (in music,
quick part).

h`oma`oma

To pretend to sing; to work the mouth

but not sing with others.

ha`iha`i

To sing with a breaking voice, a style of

singing thusly; rising and falling of the
voice; quavering.
Ma ka leo kau, ho`nu`unu`u, ho`oha`iha`i .
With loud voice, vibrating, rising and falling.

kolekolea

To sing of the khuli, a land shell. Fig., a

child that runs about wildly.

kani le`a

To sing cheerfully, as birds.

Kinds of Songs
mele

Song, anthem or chant of any kind; poem,

poetry; to sing, chant.

mele ahiahi

Evening song, vesper.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + ahiahi (evening)

mele aupuni

Anthem.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + aupuni (government)

mele hai pule

Hymn, religious song.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + pule (prayer)

mele hapa haole

Hawaiian type song mostly in English words.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + hapa (part) + haole (white person,
foreigner)

mele h`ala

Awakening song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + h`ala (to awaken, to arise)

mele ho`lohaloha

Serenade.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + lohaloha (express love and
affection)

mele ho`oipoipo

Love song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + ho`oipoipo (wooing, making love)

mele
ho`onnkeiki

Lullaby.

mele inoa

Name chant, composed in honor of a person.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + ho`onn (to soothe) + keiki
(child/children)

ROOT WORDS:
mele + inoa (name)

mele khea

Chant or song for admittance to a hula

school.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + khea (to call, to cry out, to invoke)

mele ka`i

Chant or song sung while dancers come out

before the audience; a procession song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + ka`i (to lead)

mele ka`i ho`i

Chant or song sung while dancers leave the

audience; a recession song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + ho`i (return)

mele ka`i kaua

Battle song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + ka`i (to lead) + kaua (war)

mele kani kau

Dirge, mourning song.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + kani (sound) + kau (chant,
lamentations)

mele komo

Welcoming song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + komo (to enter, join)

mele kuahu

Altar chant.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + kuahu (altar)

mele ma`i

Genitals song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + ma`i (genitals)

mele `oli

Joyful song.
ROOT WORDS:
mele + oli (joy, happiness)

mele paikau

A march; marching song.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + paikau (march, drill, parade)

mele ukali hua

kumu

Alphabet song, as one repeating the vowels.

ROOT WORDS:
mele + ukali (following) + hua kumu (basic
letters)

Ka Leo / Voice
leo

Voice. Also means: tone, tune, melody,

sound, command, advice, syllable, verbal
message; to speak, to make a sound.
Kona leo = his/her voice
Kna leo = his/her tune

leo kne
leo u
pako

Bass

h`oi

Baritone

ROOT WORDS:
kne = male; u = bellow, loud ;
pako, transliterated from English.

ROOT WORDS:
h (breath) + `oi (sharp)
Tenor

leo kne ki`eki`e

ROOT WORDS:
leo (voice) + kne (male) + ki`eki`e (high)

`aeko, `aleko, leo

waena

Alto

leo wahine,
kopolano

Soprano

leo ki`eki`e

Falsetto

ROOT WORDS:
`aeko, `aleko, tranliterated from English;
leo (voice) + waena (in between)

ROOT WORDS:
leo (voice) + wahine (woman);
kopolano, transliterated from English.

ROOT WORDS:
leo (voice) + ki`eki`e (high)

Singing Terminology
`i`i

Admired deep, rasping sound in chanting;

tremor (vibrato); guttural quality of some
sounds, as back vowels or strongly aspirated
"h".

hone

Sweet and soft, as music; sweetly appealing,

as perfume or a memory of love; to sound
softly.

nahenahe

Soft, sweet, melodious, as music or a gentle

voice.

polinahe

Soft and gentle, as low music or a breeze.

Harmony
ka hui maika`i
`ana o n leo mele

`ea, leo

Melody, tune

Key, pitch and clef

k alaka`i

Keynote
ROOT WORDS:

k (key) + alaka`i (leader)

k, ki`ina o
ka leo, kani

Pitch

ki`ina leo
ki`eki`e

High pitch

ki`ina = voice intonation

ROOT WORDS:
ki`ina (voice intonation) + leo (voice) +
ki`eki`e (high)

leo ha`aha`a Low pitch

ROOT WORDS:
leo (voice) + ha`aha`a (low, humble)

hua kani

Tone

leo halulu

Deep tone
ROOT WORDS:
halulu = roar, thunder

leo lele puni

A musical interlude of a full tone.

ROOT WORDS:
leo (voice) + lele (leaping) + puni (desired)

leo nahenahe

Sweet voice
ROOT WORDS:
leo (voice) + nahenahe (sweet, melodious,
mellow)

mpuna leo

Wafted voice
ROOT WORDS:
mpuna = bubbling spring

ho`oko`iko`i

Deepen the voice.

ROOT WORDS:
ho`o (to) + ko`iko`i (to stress, to weigh down)

`apo leo

Record the voice.

ROOT WORDS:
`apo (catch, grasp) + leo (voice)

`aha mele

Concert, song concert, song festival

ROOT WORDS:
`aha (gathering) + mele (song)

`aha mele

Indoor concert

maluhale
ROOT WORDS:
`aha mele + malu (shade) + hale (house)

`aha mele
kaupokulani

Outdoor concert
ROOT WORDS:
`aha mele + kaupoku (ridgepost) + lani
(heaven)

Lesson 32
N Pila / Musical Instruments
Sources:

pila `ume`ume

accordion

`ume`ume = tugging

pila

any musical
instrument, but esp.
strings

pila `aha

any string musical

instrument

`aha = cord, string

pila hpa, hpa pa`a

lima

autoharp

hpa = harp, from the

English.

`poho, kukima

bagpipe

`poho = sound made

by clapping body with
cupped hands

panaki

banjo

panakilele

banjolele

banjo + `ukulele

pila k nui, pila nui

bass viol, string bass

k = stand; nui = large

p keleawe

brass instrument

keleawe = brass

p koa

bugle

Lit., soldier horn

kalioneke

clarinet

p pihi poko

cornet

pahu

drum

pihi = button; poko =

short

`ohekani puluka, puluka flute

p puhi Palani

French horn

Palani = French

kk

guitar

pila puhipuhi

harmonica

hpa

harp

p ho`okani

horn

Lit., sound-making horn

n `au kani

Jews harp

n `au = midrib of
coconut front

melokiana

melodeon

`okana

organ

piano

piano

puhipuhi =blowing

kakopone, p kakopone saxophone

p puhi uai

trombone

uai = sliding

p pihi

trumpet

Lit., horn with buttons

pila kuolo, waiolina

violin, fiddle

kuolo=rubbing.

`ukulele

`ukulele

Click here for more info.

p `o`ohe

woodwind instrument

N Hme`a / Gadgets, Thingamajigs, Gizmos, Doohickies

`mi`i kaula

capo, as used on fretted instruments

to raise the pitch of all strings.

pahu

case

ana manawa

metronome

pohokuikilani

music box

hao ho`okani, (ke) ` ho`okani

tuning fork

Lesson 33

Ka `Ukulele / The `Ukulele

This `ukulele page is dedicated to my friend,

ka `ukulele

the `ukulele. Lit., jumping / leaping

flea, probably from the Hawaiian
nickname of Edward Purvis, who was
small and quick and who popularized
the instrument brought to Hawai`i by
the Portuguese.

E kaomi ma`ane`i no "Ka Mo`olelo o

ka `Ukulele."

Click here for "The Story of the

`Ukulele."

N Hua `lelo Kumu / Root Words

`uku

flea, louse

`uku lele

flea (Siphonaptera)

`lelo no`eau:

Saying:

"`A`ohe `uku lele nn i `aki.

"Not a flea to bite." Fig., perfect

comfort.

lele

to fly, jump, leap, hop, skip

E Pela `O Ia Pololei, E `lelo `O Ia Pololei.

Spell It Right, Say It Right.
E pela `o ia pololei:

" `Okina, `, k, `, l, `, l,`

"

Spell it right:

"Oh kee nah, OO, KEH, OO, EH,

LAH EH"

Mai poina i ka `okina.

Dont forget the `okina.

E `lelo `o ia pololei:

Say it right:

[oo koo leh leh]

[oo koo leh leh]

 `A`ole pololei: [yook koo lay lee]

`A`ole loa: [yook]
(mino`aka = smile = )

Incorrect: [yook koo lay lee]

Never: [yook]

`Ukulele Parts
ka `p

[kah OO POO]

the body

Lit., the stomach,

belly

ke n `au nui

[keh NEE au noo

(y)ee]

the bridge

Lit., the large

midrib of the
coconut frond or
the large nut.

ka w

[kah WAH]

the fret

Lit., interval

ka papa k

[kah pah pah KEE]

the head

Lit., board key

ka puka

[kah poo kah]

the hole

ke `au

[keh au]

the neck

Lit., handle

ke n `au

[keh NEE au]

the nut, peg

Lit., midrib of the

coconut frond

ke n `au li`ili`i

[keh NEE au lee ee

lee ee]

the head nut

Lit., little nut.

ke kaula

[keh kau lah]

the string

Lit., rope, cord,

string

n kaula

[NAH kau lah]

the strings

he mau
kaula

[heh mau kau lah]

strings

ke kaula
o luna
loa

[keh kau lah oh

loo nah lo (w)ah]

G string

Lit., string
uppermost

G: pronounced
[GEE] ?

ke kaula
`elua

[keh kau lah eh

loo (w)ah]

C string

Lit., string two

C: pronounced
[SEH]

ke kaula
`ekolu

[keh kau lah eh

koh loo]

E string
E pronounced:
[EH]

Lit., string three

ke kaula
`eh

[keh kau lah eh

HAH]

A string

Lit., string four

A pronounced:
[AH]

Kinds of `Ukulele
ka `ukulele Ohta-san

the Ohta-san `ukulele

named for a famous

`ukulele artist.

ka `ukulele h `oi

the baritone `ukulele

h `oi = `eh + `oi =

four

ka `ukulele leo `ekahi

the soprano `ukulele

leo `ekahi = voice two

ka `ukulele leo `ekolu

the tenor `ukulele

leo `ekolu = voice three

ka `ukulele leo Lili`u

the Lili`u `ukulele

leo Lili`u = voice Lili`u;

named for Queen
Lili`uokalani.

ka `ukulele pahu kk

the cigar-box `ukulele

pahu = box
kk = guitar

ka `ukulele pniu

the coconut shell

`ukulele

p = sounding
niu = coconut

ka `ukulele `ea honu

the turtle shell `ukulele

`ea = shell of Hawksbill

turtle;
honu = turtle

ka `ukulele `elua puka

the double-hole `ukulele `elua puka = two holes

ka `ukulele `ewalu kaula

the eight-string `ukulele

`ewalu kaula = eight

strings

ka `ukulele `okia

the cutaway `ukulele

`oki= cut

N Hme`a / Gadgets, Thingamajigs, Gizmos, Doohickies

`mi`i kaula

capo, as used on fretted instruments

to raise the pitch of all strings.

pahu

case

pahu `ukulele

`ukulele case

 kkai pahu `ukulele

`ukulele case handle

ana manawa

metronome

hao ho`okani, (ke) ` ho`okani

tuning fork

`Ukulele Links and Book / Music Resources

Ho'olohe i ke kani honehone o
ka `ukulele:

A Brief History of the `Ukulele

Listen to the sweet sound of

the `ukulele:
`Ukulele Homepage,
by my buddy Bu

Hawai`i `Ukulele Guide

`Ukuleles by Kwika (w/ sound

clips)

Vintage `Ukuleles & Hawaiian

Guitars

`Ukulele News (online edition)

To order books / music:

The Hawaiian Music Island

To join `ukulele discussions

Usenet: alt.music.hawaiian
with Bradda Bu and other
`ukulele enthusiast, go to the
Examples of Bradda Bu's aloha
newsgroup, alt.music.hawaiian. from the na`au: click here.
, `ukulele

Lesson 34
N Kino o ka Lani:
Ka L, Ka Mahina, a me N Hk
Heavenly Bodies:The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars

Ka L / The Sun
l

sun, sun heat; sunny, solar; also,

means day, date.
sunrise

pukana l

Lit., outlet + sun.

puka `ana o ka l

Lit., opening of the sun.

kahikole

early morning sun.

Lit., to have lost the red glow of

dawn.
Ua kahikole ka l.
The sun is up and has lost the glow of dawn.

kahik

kau i ka lolo

before noon sun.

Lit., to rise higher, of the sun, to a
stage between kahikole and kau i
ka lolo.
sun at noontime
Lit., (the sun) rests on the brains.

Kau i ka lolo: believed to be a time with great mana as a

person's aka (shadow, image) was no longer visible and
thought to have the person's sacred head (lolo = brains).
napo`o ana o ka l

alaula

Sunset.
Lit., setting of the sun.
po`o = depression
sunset glow, also light of the
early dawn.
Lit., road + flaming.

Ke alaula a Kne.
The flaming road of Kne. Fig., the eastern sky.
Ka wehe `na o ke aluala, `oia ka paoa.
The opening of the flaming pathway is the dawn.

aka`ula

red sunset.
Lit., shadow + red.

Aka`ula was looked upon a sign that rain will clear, akin
to "red at night, sailor's delight."
"mai ka l hiki ka l ka l kau "

"from sunrise to sunset".

Fig., a whole day or whole life
span.

ho`ol

to sun
Lit., to sun; to put out in sunlight.

kaula`i l
ppa`a l

`ili ppa`a

sunbath.
Lit., expose + sun.
sunburned.
Lit., burnt + sun.
sun-burned skin.
Lit., skin + burnt.

lua klai lani

circle (orbit) around the sun

phaka l

sunbeam.
Lit., splotch + sun.

mlamalama o ka l
sunlight.

p`ana a ka l

Lit., light / illumination of the sun.

sunshine

p kuhikuhi manawa

sundial.
Lit., board + pointing + time.

pua nn l

sunflower.
Lit., flower + look + sun.

pouli ka l

sun eclipse.
Lit., dark the sun.

Lpule

Sunday
Lit., day of prayer

Hua ho`opkole `ana, Lp.

Na mea no ka l

Abbreviation, Sun.

Sun accessories:

makaaniani kala,
makaaniani l
ppale `o`oma

sunglasses
sun hat, sun bonnet

sunscreen lotion.
Lit., oil + protect + sun.

`aila pale l

N Hua `lelo Hou o ka L

Modern Sun Terms
l

solar

k`ei kau l

solar constant

lapa ahi l / kiko l

solar flare / sunspot

`ale ahi l

solar granule, gigantic waves of

gas which roll across the surface
of the sun.

puapua`i l

prominences, i.e., puffs of gas

which gently drift above the
surface of the sun.

`omo ikehu l

solar panel

manehu l

solar power

phawewe l

solar radiation

poe l

solar system

Ka Mahina / The Moon

mahina

moon, month; moonlight.

Lit., in + Hina (goddess of the
moon); also, malama (light,
moon, light).

Mahina Kauakahi

Moon Kauakahi

mahina hou

new moon.
Lit., moon + new / again.

mahina hapalua
mahina piha, mahina poepoe

half moon.
Lit., moon + half.
full moon.
Lit., moon + full, moon + round.

Hoku Palemo

moon which sets before daylight

Hoku Ili

moon which sets after daylight

Hoku: Night of the full moon. When this moon set
before daylight it was called Hoku Palemo, Hoku that
slips away. When it set after daylight, it was called
Hoku Ili, grounded Hoku. Ka mahina o Hoku is the full
moon of the night.
Mhealani: sixteenth day of the lunar month, night of
the full moon.

luahoana

halo or rainbow around the moon

or sun.
Lit., pit + polished.

p mahina

moonlight night.
Lit., night + moon.

mahina hapalua mua

waxing moon.
Lit., first half of the moon.

mahina hapalua hope

waning moon.
Lit. last half of the moon.
Hina-i-ka-malama

Goddess of the moon.

Lit., Hina in the light .

mlamalama o ka mahina

Moonlight.
Lit., light of the moon.

mhinahina

"Ka p knane a ka
mahina."

N mea o ka mahina:

mahina meli

pale moonlight

"The moonlight shines

brightly."

Moon-related things:

honeymoon
Lit., moon + honey

N Hk / The Stars
ka hk
he mau hk

the star
stars
Constellation

huihui

Lit., gathering, cluster, collection.

ulu hk
N hk o ka lani a me n huihui ona.
The stars of the heavens and their constellations.
hk `ae`a (also: hkala,
hklewa)

planet.
Lit., star + wandering.

hk `ai `ina

probably same as alanui o n

hk ho`okele.
Lit., stars ruling the land.

hklele

meteor, shooting star, any moving

star. Meteors are not actual stars,
but pieces of rock or metal that
burn up as they shoot through the
air.
Lit., star + leaping.

hkli`ili`i

small star, asteroid.

Lit., star + little.

hkpuhi paka

comet.
Lit., star + tobacco-smoking.

hk ukali

satellite star.
Lit., star + accompanying.

hk welowelo

shooting star, comet.

Lit., star + streaming.

kilo hk, kilo, kilo lani

stargazer

N Hk a me N Huihui
The Stars and Constellations
Humu, Ho`ohumu

Altair, a main sequence (ordinary

in size) star in Aquila
constellation, said to have been
used for navigation from Hawai`i
to Tahiti; #12 in brightness.
Lit., to stitch, to bind together.

Kao, Hk`ula, Melemele,

Auhaele, Welehu

Antares, a supergiant star; #16 in

brightness. Kao = dart.

Hkle`a

Arcturus (probably), a
navigational star; a zenith star
above Hawai`i; a low temperature
(with an orange-red glow) giant
star; #4 in brightness.
Lit., star + clear/happy, "star of
gladness".

`Aua, Kaulua-koko, Koko

Betelgeuse, a supergiant star

which shines with a low
temperature red color; #9 in
brightness.
`Aua: Lit., lean, as fish.
Koko: Lit., blood

N Hiku

Big Dipper constellation.

Lit., the seven.
Also known as Ki`aha ( a modern
term) for tumbler, mug, "dipper".

Ke-ali`i-o-Kona-i-ka-lewa

Canopus, a supergiant star; #2 in

brightness.
Lit., the chief of Kona in the
heaven.

`Iwakeli`i

Cassiopeia constellation.
Lit., frigate bird + the little.

Nnmua

Castor.
Lit., look + ahead.

Hk-kau-ahiahi, Hkkau`pae

Evening Star (Venus)

Lit., star + placed + evening, star
+ placed + shrimp.

Ke-ho`oea, Keoe (probably)

Lyra, a constellation which

includes the star, Vega.

Hk`ula

(perhaps) Mars.
Lit., star + red.

Hknohoaupuni

Milky Way, a galaxy (star group)

with more than 100 billion stars,
including the sun.
Lit., star + ruling.

Hkao, Hkloa, Hkali`i,

Hkkomohana

Morning Star (Venus when seen

in the morning)
Lit., star + dawn, star + long, star
+ chief, star + west.

Hkpa`a

North Star (Polaris)

Lit., star + immovable.

`Oliona

Orion constellation.

Maiak

Stars in Orion's belt.

Stars in Orion's belt and

sword. Lit., the darts.

N-kao

Makali`i

Pleiades, also known as the

Seven Sisters, a loose cluster of
stars in the constellation Taurus.
Lit., tiny, very small, fine, wee,
small-meshed.

Nnhope

Pollux, a giant star with a yellowred glow, #17 in brightness.

Lit., look + back.

Puana-kau

Rigel, tutelary (guardian) star of

West Maui;a giant star which
sparkles with a blue light (high
temperature); #7 in brightness.

Hkho`okelewa`a / (possibly)
Kauanomeha

Sirius, a main sequence (ordinary

in size) star with a blue-white
gleam; #1 in brightness, i.e., next
to the sun, the brightest star. This
star was used by navigators and
fishermen.
Lit., star + to guide canoe / placed
in holy stillness.

Hkke`a

Southern Cross.
Lit., star + cross.

Keoe (probably)

Vega, a main sequence (ordinary

in size) star that appears white;
#5 in brightness.
Lit., a sweet potato.

Lesson 35

`lelo No`eau / Proverbs & Sayings

N Kino o ka Lani:
Ka L, ka Mahina, a me n Hk

`lelo No`eau: Ka L / The Sun

# 18

Ahu kupanaha ka l i Mn.

Peculiar is the action of the sun in Mn.
Said of a delusion. Mn, Kaua`i is a place where
mirages were once seen.

# 33

Aia i ka wela ke po`o o ke keiki i ka l.

When the head of the sun is warmed by the sun.
When he is old enough to toddle or creep by
himself into the sunlight.

# 155

`A`ohe ipu `pio e `ole ka mimino i ka l.

No immature gourd can withstand withering
in the sun (without care.)
No child can get along without adult supervision.

# 395

Ha`ale i ka l ka mea mahana.

Has left the warmth of the sun.
Has died.

# 619

He `ike `ana ia i ka pono.

The morning is full of strength for youth, but when the sun is
high they become tired and run.
Said of the young who do not work as persistently as their parents

-- they start well but soon quit.

# 635

He `na`i na ka wela a ka l
Meat consumed by the heat of the sun.
Said of one who has a severe sunburn.

# 744

Hele ka ho`i a hiki i Kalia, ua napo`o ka l.

When one reaches Kealia at last, the sun is set.
Said of one who procrastinates. A play on alia (to wait).

# 839

He Napo`opo`o i `ikea ke po`o,

he Napo`opo`o no i `ikea ka pepeiao.
A (person of) Napo`opo`o whose head is seen;
a Napo`opo`o no whose ears are seen.
A play on napo`o (to sink), as the sun sinks in the west.
Not matter what your claim to rank may be, we can see that
your mindfulness of etiquette is equally low.

# 983

He weo ke kanaka; he pano ke ali`i.

A commoner is dark; a chief is darker still.
A commoner is reddened in the sunlight and is as
approachable as day; but a chief surrounded by
kapu is as unapproachableas the black of night.

# 990

Hiki mai ka l ma Ha`eha`e,

maluna mai o Kuki`i.
The sun rises at Ha`eha`e, above Kuki`i.
Ha`eha`e, in Puna, Hawai`i, is often called the gateway
of the sun. Kuki`i is a place in Puna.

# 1144

Hulili ka l i ke kula o Makahu`ena,

he huaka`i `oi`o.
When the sunlight vibrates over the plains of
of Makahu`ena, a procession of ghosts
is going through.
A saying used when the heat of the sun appears to vibrate.
The huaka`i `oi`o is a procession of departed
chiefs and their followers.

# 1144

Hulili wela ka l o Maunaloa.

The sun is shining on Maunaloa makes
it vibrate with heat.
Maunaloa, Moloka`i, is a very warm place.

# 1164

I hole `ia no ka i`e i ke kau o ka l.

The time to cut designs in a tapa beater
is when the sun is high.
Do your work when you can do your best.

# 1422

Ka l i ka Mauliola.
The sun at the source of life.
Mauli-ola (Breath of Life) is the god of health.

# 1427

Kala kahiko i au wale ai ka l.

The sun has gone down long since.
A reply to one who asks about something that took
place a long time ago.

# 1428

Ka l koi hana o Lahainaluna.

The sun of Lahainaluna urges one to work.
Daytime at the Lahainaluna School occupied
with studying and working.

# 1484

Ka moa i hnai `ia ka l, ua `oi ia

i ka moa i hnai `ia i ka malu.
A chicken fed in the sunlight is stronger
than one fed in the shade.
If you want a strong child, raise the child
with plenty sunlight.

# 1488

Ka moku k`ili l o Manokalanipo.

The sun-snatching island of Manokalanipo.
Kaua`i, the northwesternmost island of the group,
beyond which the sun vanishes at dusk.

Manokalanipo was an ancient ruler of Kaua`i.

# 1524

Kapakahi ka l ma Wai`anae.
Lopsided is the sun in Wai`anae.
Used to refer to anything lopsided, crooked, or not right.
First uttered by Hi`iaka in a rebuke to Lohi`au and
Wahine`ma`o for talking when she warned them not to.

# 1611

Kau ka l i ka lolo, ho`i ke aka i ke kino.

The sun stands over the brain, the shadow
retreats into the body.
Said of high noon, when the sun is directly overhead and
no shadows are seen -- an important time for some
ancient rites and ceremonies.

# 1618

Kaula`i na iwi i ka l.
To bleach the bones in the sun.
To talk freely and unkindly of one's family to outsiders.

# 1630

Ka` malo `eka, kua wehi.

Ka` of the dirty loincloth and black back.
The soil of Ka` is not easy to till. The farmers there
squatted on their haunches and worked the soil with
short digging sticks. The sun darkened their backs.

# 1643

Ka wahine hele l o Kaiona,

alualu wai li`ul o ke kaha pua `hai.
The woman, Kaiona, who travels in the sunshine pursuing
the mirage of the place where
the `hai blossoms grow.
Kaiona was a goddess of Ka`ala and the Wai`ane Mountains. She
was a kind person who helped anyone who lost his way in the
mountains by sending a bird, an `iwa, to guide the lost one
out of the forest. In modern times Princess Bernice
Pauahi Bishop was compared to Kaiona in songs.

# 1706

Keiki kohi l o Kumukahi.

The child that hold back the sun at Kumukahi.
Praise of an outstanding youth of Puna. Kumukahi is the eastern
point of Hawai`i, the place where the sun comes up.

# 1811

Ko`ele na iwi o Hua i ka l.

The bones of Hua rattled in the sun.
A warning not to talk too much of one's kin. Also, a reminder that
trouble is sure to befall those who destroy the innocent. Hua was a
chief of Maui who heeded the lies of jealous men and ordered the
death of his faithful priest, Luaho`omoe. Before he died, he sent his
sons to the mountains for safety, because it was foretold by gods
what was to come over the land. After his death, drought and famine
came. Many died, including the chief Hua. There was no one to hide
his remains, so his bones were left exposed to sun and wind. Also
expressed Nakeke na iwi

# 1848

Konohiki lua ka l i Olowalu.

The heat of the sun rules in Olowalu.
Said of one who permits the heat of anger to possess him.

Olowalu, Maui is known for its warm climate.

# 1908

Kkulu kala`ihi ka l i Mn.

The sun sets up mirages at Mn.
Said of a boastful person who exaggerates.

# 2012

Li`uli`u wale ka nohona i ka l o Hauola,

a holoholo i ke one o `Alio.
Long has one tarried in the sunlight of Hauola and walked on
the sands of `Alio.
Said in praise of an aged person. There is a play on
ola (life) in the name Hauola.

# 2058

Mai ka hikina a ka l i Kumukahi

a ka welona a ka l i Lehua.
From the sunrise at Kumukahi to the
fading sunlight at Lehua.
From sunrise to sunset, Kumukahi, in Puna, Hawai`i, was called the
land of the sunrise, and Lehua, the land of the sunset.
This saying refers to a life span -- from birth to death.

# 2062

Mai ka l hiki a ka l kau.

From the sun's arrival to the sun's rest.
Said of a day, from sunrise to sunset. This phrase is much used in
prayers. Any mention of the setting of the sun was avoided in
prayers for the sick; instead one referred to the sun's rest, thus

suggesting rest and renewal rather than permanent departure.

# 2063

Mai ka l ``ili i Ha`eha`e a hli`i

i ka mole o Lehua.
From the appearance of the sun at Ha`eha`e till it spreads its
light to the foundation of Lehua.
Ha`eha`e is a place at Kumukahi, Puna, Hawai`i, often
referred to in poetry as the gateway of the sun.

# 2064

Mai ka ``ili ana a ka l i Kumukahi a ka l iho

aku i ka mole `olu o Lehua.
From the appearance of the sun at Kumukahi till its descent
beyond the pleasant base of Lehua.
From the sunrise at Kumukahi, in Puna, Hawai`i, to the sunset
beyond the islet of Lehua.

# 2070

Mai ke kai kuw e n ana i ka ulu

hala o Kea`au a ka `ina k`ili l
o lalo o ka Waik`auhoe.
From the noisy sea that moans to the hala grooves of
Kea`au, to the land that snatches away the sun,
below Waik`auhoe.
From Puna, Hawai`i, where the sun was said to rise, to Lehua,
beyond Waik`auhoe, where it vanishes out of sight.

# 2126

Mal ka wai i ka l.

The water dries up in the sun.

Joy withers in the presence of wrath.

# 2136

Mn kah kua welawela.

Mn where the back feels the heat (of the sun).
Refers to Mn, Kaua`i.

# 2164

Mo`a nopu ka l i ke kula o Ho`olehua.

The sun scorches the plain of Ho`olehua.
Refers to Ho`olehua, Moloka`i.

# 2298

Nau na ku`i o ka niho o ka l.

The teeth of the sun gnash.
Said of a very warm day in which the heat is almost unbearable.

#2306

Ne`e papa ka helu a ka l i Punahoa.

The sun continued to scorch at Punahoa.
The fight didn't end quickly.

# 2387

`Oi ka niho o ka l i Kmanomano.

Sharp are the teeth of the sun at Kmanomano.

A very hot place is Kmanomano. A play on manomano (much).

# 2388

`Oi kau ka l, e hana i ola honua.

While the sun yet shines do all you can.
While there is earthly life (ola honua), do all you can.

# 2417

O ka l ko luna, o ka phoehoe ko lalo.

The sun above, the smooth lava below.
Said of a journey in which the traveler suffers from the heat of the
sun above and the reflected heat from the lava bed below.

# 2653

Pili pono ka l i Kamananui.

The sun is very close to Kamananui.
A play on Ka-mana-nui (The-great-power). When the person in power
becomes angry, everyone around him feels
uncomfortable, as in the scorching, blistering sun.

# 2654

Pili pono ka l i Papa`ena`ena.

The sun concentrates its heat at Papa`ena`ena.
Said of the heat of temper. A play on `ena`ena (red-hot).

# 2855

Ua wela ka l, ke `oni nei

kukuna o ka h`uke`uke.
The sun is too warm, for the spikes of
the h`uke`uke are moving.
Anger is growing, and those near the angry one are moving out of
the way. The h`uke`uke is a sea urchin.

# 2870

Ulu o ka l.
Growth of the sun.
Said of the light of sunrise just as the sun's rim
touches the horizon.

# 2890

Uw o Knepniu i ka wela a ka l.
Knepniu complains of the heat of the sun.
Said when someone complains of the heat. From the chant by
Hi`iaka, who saw Knepniu (Kne-of-the-coconut), a supernatural
tree at Wai`anae, O`ahu, on a very warm day.

BACK TO INDEX
Pronunciation Guide

`lelo No`eau: Ka Mahina / The Moon

# 1471

Kamali`i `ike `ole i ka helu p:

Muku nei, Muku ka malama;
Hilo nei, kau ka Hoaka.
Children who do not know the moon phases:
Muku is here, Muku the moon;
Hilo comes next, then Hoaka.
The first part of a child's chant for learning the names of

the moon phases. Also said of one who does not know
the answer to a question or is ignorant. He is compared
to
a small child who has not learned the moon phases.

# 1612

Kau ka mahina.
The moon is shining.
A remark made in fun when a bald head is seen.

# 2431

O ka `Ole ia, mai `Okekukhi a

`Olekupau.
It is the `Ole nights from `Okekukhi to
`Olekupau.
No. Absolutely not. A play on `ole (nothing). `Olekukhi,
`Olekulua, `Olekukolu, and `Olekupau are moon
phases in the lunar month.

# 2527

O `Olepau ka mahina;
o palaweka ka mahina;
o hina wale ka mahina;
o hh p`ele ka mahina.
`Olepau is the moon phase;
hazy is the light of the moon;
quickly goes the light of the moon;
quickly goes the light of the moon;
one gropes in the dark.
Said of one who is vague or hazy in explaining his
thoughts, or of one whose knowledge is vague.

# 2595

Pali ke kua, mahina ke alo.

Back (as straight) as a cliff,
face as bright as the moon.
Said of a good-looking person.

BACK TO INDEX
Pronunciation Guide

`lelo No`eau:
N Hk / The Stars
# 1145

Hului kk a Makali`i a kau i luna.

The carrying net of Makali`i takes all and
suspends them on high.
Said of a stingy person. Makali`i was a supernatural
chief of ancient times who gathered all the food plants
in a net and hung them in the sky among the stars of
the Pleiades.
The result was famine.

# 2513

O na hk no na kiu o ka lani.
The stars are the spies of heaven.
The stars look down on everyone and everything.

# 2514

O na hk o ka lani ka i `ike ia Pae.

Aia a loa`a ka pnana o ke ke klea,
loa`a `oia ia `oe.

Only the stars of heaven know where Pae is. Pae

was a priest in the reign of `Umi. He was so
lucky in fishing that the chief desired his bones
for fishhooks after his death.
When Pae died, his sons hid his bones so well that
none of the chiefs and priests could find them. The
sons would say, "When you find the nest of the plover,
then will you find him." But `Umi enlisted the help of a
noted priest of Kaua`i, who saw the ghost of Pae
drinking from a spring in Waimanu Valley. Thus were
the bones of Pae found and made into fishhooks for
the chief. The sons of Pae were reminded that the
chief was using their father's bones for hooks by his
constant cry, "O Pae, hold fast to our fish!"
# 2515

O na hk o ka lani, o Pa`aiea ko
lalo.
The stars are above, Pa`aiea below.
Refers to Kamehameha's great fishpond, Pa`aiea, in
Kona, Hawai`i. Its great size led to this saying -- the
small islets that dotted its interior were compared to
the stars that dot the sky. The pond was destroyed
during a volcanic eruption.

Lesson 36

Hau`oli L Ho`omaika`i,
Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving Table Conversation

Ka Papa Mea`ai
Menu

peleh

turkey

[peh leh HOO']

pua`a hame

ham

[poo ah' ah hah' meh]

mea ho`opihapiha

stuffing

[meh' (y)ah hoh' oh pee' hah pee' hah]

kai `p

giblet gravy

[kai' OH' POO']

laiki

rice

[lai' kee]

`uala

sweet potato

[oo (w)ah' lah]

`uala kahiki

irish potato

[oo (w)ah' lah kah hee' kee]

kai `helo

cranberry sauce

[kai' OH' heh loh]

klina `ono

sweet corn

[KOO' lee nah oh' noh]

lau `ai me mea

h`ono`ono lau `ai

salad with dressing

[lau' ai' meh meh' (y)ah HOH' oh' noh oh'

noh lau' ai']

palaoa li`ili`i a me wai

paka

rolls and butter

[pah lao' (w)ah lee' ee lee' ee ah meh wai'

(Y)OO' pah' kah]

wai

water

[wai' / vai']

wai

milk

[wai' (Y)OO']

waina

wine

[wai' nah]

pia

beer

[pee' (y)ah]

pai p

pumpkin pie

[pai' POO']

haukalima

ice cream

[hau' kah lee' mah]

kope

coffee / tea

[koh' peh]

kalima a me kopa`a
[kah lee' mah a meh koh pah' ah]

cream & sugar

Thanksgiving Table Conversation

Hau`oli Ho`omaika`i!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[hau' oh lee hoh' oh mai' kai'!]

Hau`oli L Peleh!

Happy Turkey Day!

[hau' oh lee LAH' peh leh HOO'!]

Au n ho`i e!
[au' (W)EH NOH' hoh' ee (y)eh!]

Ploli au.
[POH' loh lee (y)au'.]

Goodness!
I'm hungry.
I'm thirsty.

Makewai au.
[mah ke wai' (y)au'.]

E kmau k`aha kkou!

Let's have a drink!

[eh KAH' mau' KEE' ah hah KAH' kou'!]

`Ane`ane anei e mkaukau ka

p`ina?

Is dinner almost ready?

[ah' neh ah' neh ah' nei (y)eh MAH' kau' kau' kah PAH' ee
nah?]

`Ae, ua mkaukau.

Yes, it's ready.

[ae' oo' (w)ah MAH' kau' kau'.]

E ho``o paha `oe i wahi pp?

Will you try some appetizers?

[eh hoh' AH' oh pah' hah oe' (y)ee vah' hee POO' POO'?]

`Ono kia pp!

[oh' noh KEH' (y)ee (y)ah POO' POO'!]

He aha kia?

This appetizer is delicious!

What is this?

[heh (y)ah hah KEH' (y)ee (y)ah?]

``io poke kia.

[heh OH' ee(y)oh KEH' (y)ee (y)ah.]

Makemake au i kia poke!

This is chunked and marinated

raw bonefish.
I like this poke!

[mah' keh mah' keh (y)au' (y)ee KEH' (y)ee (y)ah poh' keh!]

Ka ho`okk kinipp peku i ke

kw.

The football game's on TV.

[kah hoh' oh KOO' KOO' kee' nee POH' POH' peh' koo (y)ee
keh KEE' VEE'.]

`O wai e pa`ani?

Who's playing?

[oh vai' (y)eh pah ah' nee?]

`O wai la!

Who cares?

[oh vai' lah!]

Ua kau `ia n mea `ai ma ke

pkaukau.

The food is on the table.

Come and eat!

[oo' (w)ah kau' ee(y)ah NAH' meh (y)ah AI' mah keh PAH'
kau' kau'.]

Mai e `ai!
[mai' ej ai'!]

Au n ho`i kia!
[au' (W)EH NOH' hoh' ee KEH' (y)ee (y)ah!]

He maika`i maoli ku mea `ai!

Good gracious! (Look at) this!

Your food is splendid!

[heh mai' kah ee mao' lee KAU' meh (y)ah ai!]

E noho kkou ma ke pkaukau.

Let's sit down at the table.

[eh noh' hoh KAH' kou' mah keh PAH' kau' kau'.]

H, nunui ka `ai!
[HOH', noo nui' kah ai'!]

Wow, so much food!

E pule i ka pule ho`omaika`i kkou.

Let us pray a prayer of thanks.

[eh poo' leh ee kah poo' leh hoh' oh mai' kah ee KAH' kou'.]

Ke ho`omaika`i a mahalo nei mkou

i `Oe no kia `ai.

We give our thanks to You for

this food.

[keh hoh' oh mai' kah ee (y)ah mah hah' loh nei' MAH' kou'
(y)ee (Y)AH' oe' noh KEH' (y)ee (y)ah ai'.]

E inu paha `oe i wahi k`aha waina,

ai`ole pia paha?
[eh (y)ee' noo pah' hah oe' (y)ee vah' hee KEE' ah hah vai'
nah, ai' oh leh pee (y)ah pah' hah?]

Will you drink a glass of wine

or some beer?
(water or some milk?)

(wai ai`ole wai paha?)

[wai' (y)ai' oh leh wai' (Y)OO pah' hah?]

I wahi waina no`u.

A little wine for me.

[ee vah' hee vai' nah noh' oo.]

Inu ho`omaika`i!
[ee' noo hoh' oh mai' kah ee!]

Kmau!

A toast!
To forever!

[KAH' mau'!]

E `ai kkou!

Let's eat!

[eh ai' KAH' kou'!]

He aha ka`u e h`awi aku ai i `oe?

What shall I offer you?

[heh (y)ah' hah kah' oo (y)eh HAH' ah vee (y)ah koo (w)ai
(y)ee(Y)AH' oe'?]

Ua makemake anei `oe i wahi lau

`ai.

I will ask you for a little salad.

[oo' (w)ah mah' keh mah' keh (y)ah nei' oe (y)ee vah' hee lau'
ai'.]

Ua makemake anei `oe i wahi

hame?

Will you have some ham?

[oo' (w)ah mah' keh mah' keh (y)ah nei' oe' (y)ee vah' hee
hah' meh?]

`Ae, mahalo.
[ae', mah hah' loh.]

I wahi hame na`u.

Yes, thank you.

I will take some ham.

[ee vah' hee hah' meh nah' oo.]

I wahi peleh?

Some turkey?

[ee vah' hee peh leh HOO'?]

I wahi peleh na`u ke `olu`olu `oe.

I'll have some turkey, please.

[ee vah' hee peh leh HOO' nah' oo keh oh' loo oh' loo oe'.]

I wahi `heu nu?

Will you have a wing?

[ee vah' hee EH' heu' NAU'?]

Makemake au i ka `uh peleh me

mea ho`opihapiha a me kai `p.

I want the drumstick, with

stuffing and giblet gravy.

[mah' keh mah' keh (y)au' (y)ee kah oo HAH' peh leh HOO'
meh meh (y)ah hoh' oh pee' hah pee' hah ah meh kai' OH'
POO'.]

He `ono maoli kia peleh!

[heh oh' noh mao' lee KEH' (y)ee(y)ah peh leh HOO'!]

Mahalo i ka mea kuke!

This turkey is delicious!

Compliments to the chef!

[mah hah' loh (y)ee kah meh' (y)ah koo' keh!]

Aia i hea ka `iwi `?

Where's the wishbone?

[ai' (y)ai' heh' (y)ah kah ee' vee OH'?]

E h`awi au nu i ka laiki, `uala,

ai`ole `uala kahiki?

Shall I give you rice, sweet

potato or white potato?

[eh HAH' ah vee (y)au' NAU' (y)ee kah lai' kee, oo (w)ah' lah,
ai' oh leh oo (w)ah' lah kah hee' kee?]

`A`ole , `a`ohe o`u makemake.

No, I do not wish any.

[ah oh' leh, ah oh' heh oh' oo mah' keh mah' keh.]

E `olu`olu h`awi mai i ka pa`akai.

Please pass the salt.

[eh oh' loo oh' loo HAH' ah vee mai' (y)ee kah pah ah kai'.]

Eia ke koi.

Here's the soy sauce.

[ei (y)ah keh koi' (Y)OO'.]

`O ka pepa kn?

Is that pepper (near you)?

[oh kah peh' pah KEH' NAH'?]

E `olu`olu e h`awi mai i ke klina

`ono.

Please pass me the sweet

corn.

[eh oh' loo oh' loo (w)eh HAH' ah vee MAI' keh KOO' lee nah
oh' noh.]

Eia n palaoa li`li`i.

[ei (y)ah NAH' pah lao' (w)ah lee' ee lee' ee.]

E `ae mai ia`u e h`awi aku i

ho`okahi nu.

Here are the rolls.

Allow me to hand you one.

[eh ae' MAI' (y)ah' oo (w)eh HAH' ah vee (y)ah' koo (y)ee hoh'
oh kah' hee NAU'.]

`A`ohe kkou waipaka?

Don't we have any butter?

[ah oh' heh AH' KAH' kou' wai' (Y)OO' pah' kah?]

Eia ka waipaka.

Here's the butter.

[ei' (y)ah kah wai' (Y)OO' pah' kah.]

E `ai iho!
[eh AI' hoh!]

E `ai ho`om`ona!
[eh AI' hoh oh MAH' oh nah!]

Eat!
Eat heartily!
Eat like a pig.

`Ai pua`a.
[ai' AH' poo (w)ah' ah.]

I kia l `a`ohe n ikehu i kia mea

`ai.

Today, there are no calories in

this food.

[ee KEH (y)ee (y)ah LAH' ah oh' heh NAH' (y)ee keh hoo
(W)AH' (y)ee KEH' (y)ee (y)ah meh (y)ah ai.]

Ua lawa?
[oo' (w)ah lah' vah?]

Piha?
[pee' hah?]

Enough?
Full?
Are you satisfied?

Ua m`ona `oe?
[oo' (w)ah MAH' oh nah oe' ?]

Pa`e ka wa`a!
[pah' eh kah vah' ah!]

E `ai kkou i ka monamona!

The canoe has landed!

(Fig., I am full!)
Let's have dessert!

[eh ai' KAH' kou (w)ee kah moh' nah moh' nah!]

I kope ai `ole i k nu?

Coffee or tea for you?

[ee koh' peh (y)ai' oh leh (y)ee KEE NAU'?]

He inu kope au.

I drink coffee.

[heh (y)ee' noo koh' peh (y)au'.]

Ua `ono kpono anei kou kope.

[ooh (w)ah oh' noh KOO' poh noh (y)ah nei' kou' koh' peh?]

`Ono au i ke kope ikaika, me ka

wai `ole.

Is your coffee sweetened

enough?
Yes, and I like it strong without
milk.

[oh' noh (w)au' (y)ee keh koh' pei' kai' kah, meh kah wai'
(Y)OO' oh' leh.]

`A`ala kia kope!

This coffee smells good!

[ah ah' lah KEH' (y)ee (y)ah koh' peh!]

Mai Moloka`i mai kia kope `ono.

[mai' moh loh kah' ee mai' KEH' (y)ee (y)ah koh' peh oh' noh.]

E ho``o ana au i `apana `u`uku o

kl pai p me haukalima.

This delicious coffee is from

Moloka`i.
I will try a small piece of that
pumpkin pie with ice cream.

[eh ho AH' oh (w)ah' NAU' (w)ee ah pah' nah oo oo' koo oh

KEH' LAH' pai' POO' meh hau' kah lee' mah.]

`Ono maoli kia pai p.

[oh' noh mao' lee KEH' (y)ee (y)ah pai' POO'.]

`A`ole, `a`ohe mea hou ke `olu`olu

`oe.

This pumpkin pie is truly

delicious.
No, nothing more, if you
please.

[ah oh' leh, ah oh' heh meh' (y)ah hou' keh oh' loo oh' loo oe'.]

Ua loa`a ia`u he p`ina

Ho`omaika`i maika`i loa.

I had an excellent
Thanksgiving dinner!

[oo' (w)ah loh' (w)ah ai (y)ah' oo he PAH' ee nah hoh' oh mai'

kah ee mai' kah ee loh (w)ah!]

Piha maika`i au.

I am well filled.

[pee' hah mai' kah ee (y)au'.]

Pha!
[POO' hah!]

Kh!
[KEE' HAH'!]

Burp!
Belch!
Excuse me!

E kala mai ia`u!

[eh kah' lah MAI' (y)ah oo!]

M`ona maika`i au.

I'm comfortably full.

[MAH' oh nah mai' kah ee (y)au']

M`ona loa au.

I'm very satisfied.

[MAH' oh nah loh' (W)AU']

Maka hiamoe au.

I'm sleepy!

[mah' kah hee (y)ah moe' (y)au'!]

Aia i hea ka lumi ho`opau pilikia?

Where's the bathroom?

[ai' (y)ai' heh' (y)ah kah loo' mee hoh' oh pau' pee lee kee'
(y)ah?]

Aloha ahiahi!
[ah loh' HAH' hee (y)ah' hee!]

Ua hele au e hiamoe.

Good night!
I'm going to sleep.

[oo' (w)ah heh' leh (y)au' eh hee (y)ah moe'.]

Hau`oli Ho`omaika`i!
[hau' oh lee hoh' oh mai' kah ee!]

Mahalo au i `oukou!

Happy Thanksgiving!
My gratitude to all of you!

[mah hah' loh (w)au' (y)ee (Y)AH' ou' kou'!

Pkeokeo, pkeokeo, pkeokeo!

[POH' keh (y)oh keh (y)oh, POH' keh (y)oh keh (y)oh, POH'
keh (y)oh keh (y)oh!]

Gobble

Lesson 37

Aloha is
love,
affection,
compassion,
mercy,
sympathy,
pity,
kindness,
sentiment,
grace,
and charity.

Aloha is a
greeting,
salutation,
regards,

sweetheart,
lover,
and a loved one.

Aloha is being
beloved,
loving,
kind,
compassionate,
charitable,
and lovable.

Aloha is to
love
be fond of
show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection

venerate
remember with affection
greet
and hail.

"Aloha!" is
"Greetings!"
"Hello!"
"Good-by!"
"Farewell!"
"Alas!"
Lesson 38

A LOH A WORDS
Root Words of Aloha
alo

Front, face, presence

lo

Prefix, perhaps short for lo`o, to

obtain

oha

Affection, love, greeting; to greet,

show joyous affection or friendship,

joy:
Spreading as vines; thriving; to
grow lush.
To breathe, exhale; to breathe upon,
as kava after praying and before
prognosticating; breath, life.

Four, fourth. H and multiples of

four are sacred or formulistic
numbers.
Stalk that supports the leaf and
enfolds the stem of certain plants,
as taro, sugar cane.
Trough, ditch, sluice.

Aloha ahiahi

Good evening

aloha `ina

love of the land or of

one's country,
patriotism.

aloha akua

love of god; divine love,

pity, charity

aloha ali`i
aloha hoahnau
aloha `ia
Aloha `ino!

royalist, royal love

brotherhood
beloved, pitied
What a pity! Alas!
(An expression of regret, either
great or small)

Aloha kakahiaka

Good morning

Aloha kkou

May there be love /

friendship among us,
greetings to more than
two persons.

Aloha kua

May there be love /

friendship between us,
greetings to one
person.

aloha lua

name given to the

kamole plant in hana

aloha sorcery. Lit.,

mutual love.
aloha makua

considerate and
thoughtful of parents
and elders, filial.

Aloha `oe

May you be loved or

greeted, greetings to
you (one person).

aloha `ole

pitiless, merciless,
ungrateful, without love
or affection.

Aloha pumehana

Warm aloha, affection

hana aloha

Love magic; to practice

love magic.

ho`lohaloha

to make love, express

affection, gratitude or
compassion;
expression of love or
affection; to give
thanks; loving, lovable.

Ke aloha n!

Aloha! Greetings!

L Ho`lohaloha

Thanksgiving Day

Me ke aloha

With love

mea aloha

loved one, beloved

`O wau iho n me ke
aloha

I remain, with very best

regards

palapala ho`lohaloha

written condolence

Lesson 39

A
absorbed

absorbed in an interesting,
happy pastime, as lovemaking; contented

kili`opu

What pleasure was lovemaking for the two of us last

night.

Ua kili`opu mua i ka p nei.

affectionate

aloha

aloha

to cherish, love, caress;

affectionate, demonstrative of
affection; expression of affection,
as a song

ho`oheno

to show affection

mahamaha

affectionately

me ke aloha

alluring

beautiful and alluring

o beautiful, pretty
o

admiration, desire for,

wonder; amazement;
attractive, entrancing;
to admire; be
entangled

nani e makahehi `ia ai

nani

makahehi

attractive, alluring; attraction

`ume

inviting, attractive, alluring,

lovely

onaona

sweet-eyed kole (a fish),

said of a person with
alluring eyes

attractive, sweet, alluring

kole maka onaona

What attractive, sweet eyes

this boy has.

ho`naona

H`naona ho`i n maka o

kia keiki.

aloha

aloha

amorous

`ano kuko, li`a, ake ho`oipoipo

ardent

`i`ini nui, ake nui

ardent love-making

ho`okela o ka ho`oipoipo,

hi a wela
arouse

arouse (sexually)

ho`la, pai, ho`opaipai, h`eu,

ho`, ho`ohana
ho`okala

attract, lure

attract with the eyes

attracted
attraction

`ume, ala`ume, hnn,

ho`naona
maka ki`i
ume `ia, nn, ona, laka

`ume, `ume launa, `ume

mkneki; `umena

B
baby / babe

pp / p

bath, to take a bath

`au`au

bubble bath

bed; to go to bed

bedtime

`au`au hu`a

moe

w hiamoe, manawa moe

beguiling

ho`owalewale, ho`ohei mana`o,

kpehe

beloved

aloha `ia, mea aloha, milimili, milia,

mili, maka, hiwahiwa, nn hiwa,
`mea, `ano`i, mea nui, hiwa lani,
kaupili Fig., laua`e, lei, pkau,
`nohi kau maka, ki`i `nohi

betroth

ho`opalau

betrothal

palau, ho`opalau

betrothed

palau, ho`opalau `ia

blessing

pmaika`i, pule, pule

ho`opmaika`i

blind

makap

blush

Love is blind.

Makap ke aloha.

pi`i ka `ula, we, nono `ula, m,

`pane, ho`okoko
bosom

poli

breathless

pauaho, paupauaho

C
candle, candles

ihoiho, n kukui

candy

kanak

box of chocolates

card

pahu o n kokoleka

kleka
sentiment

caress

caress repeatedly

carnal

aloha

hamo, ho`oheno, hole, kwili

milika`a

k ke kino

carnal desire

kuko

to know a man carnal

pkanaka

celebration

ho`olaule`a, hana ho`ohiwahiwa

(as to honor an individual)

charming

mhie, ho`omhie, ho`opunihei,

ho`ohoihoi

cherish

plama, ho`oheno; ha`aheo (with

pride); nn, ho`olaua`e,
ho`omoamoa, ho`opulakaumaka;
hkeo (secretly); moamahi

cherished

plama `ia, mili nanea, milimili

nanea

cherub, as in Cupid

kelupa, transliterated from the

English

arrow
to shoot with an arrow

pua, pua pana

pana

cloud nine

ao `eiwa

compliment, felicitate

`lelo ho`omaika`i, `lelo mahalo

concentrate

kau nui ka mana`o, no`ono`o pono,

ho`opalau; ho`ohui like (bring
together)

consume

`ai, ho`opau, kemu, hamu

consumed

consummate

content

contented

`aina; pau, pauka`a

(completely)

hana`i`o (finish)

`olu`olu, hau`oli, luana

la`i, la`i ka nohona, `olu`olu,

luana, kili`opu, `ai i kalo mo`a

converse (quiet, romantic)

`uhene

coquette

wahine ho`oha`i

coquettish

court, to woo

courtship

`ano ho`ohai

ho`oipo, ho`oipoipo, ho`onipo

ho`oipoipo `ana

coy

ho`omhie, palai maka, h`eno,

hani

cozy

`olu`olu

cruise

holoholo moku, holo moana

D
delicious

very delicious

delight

to delight in
delighted
delightful

most delightful

`ono, mikomiko

`ono loa

hau`oli, `oli`oli, hau`oli`oli, hoihoi,

ho`ohoihoi, puni, ohaoha

hia, puni, milimili nanea,

hia`ai
ohohia, kamahoi, hia`ai,
hia`ai`ono
mhie, ho`ohie, le`a, hia`ai

desire

makemake, `i`ini, `ano`i. hia, make,

ake, puni, `upu. Also: `i`i, kuko,
makhehi, ha`eha`e, mana`o,
kauhua, nipo, ninipo, pu`u, ko`i`i,
`loli, ho`omakauli`i, ha`e

kli`a, li`a, `ena aloha,

lanakoi
pa`uhia
`a` maka

`Ano`i aku e `ike iia.

to desire greatly
overwhelmed with desire

to stare, as in desire

Great desire to see him/her.

hia`ai`ono

desirous

make`e

determined

mana`o pa`a, pa`a ka mana`o,

kpa`a, moepo`o, `onipa`a, klua

devoted

aloha, la`a, la`ahia, puni, ilo, pili

aloha (loving)

Do you like this? Yes, I do.

Makemake `oe i kia. `Ae,

makemake n.

dote on

puni

dove

manu k

cooing of a dove

kuhukuk

soft-eyed dove (endearing

term)

nn maka onaona

dream

recollected dream
erotic dream

dream of a cherished wish

moe`uhane, moe

haili moe
moe kaha`ula, aikaha`ula,
kaha`ula

moemoe

embrace

embrace tightly

emotion

words of emotion
transported with emotion

to feel emotion of love

p`ili, pliki, plikiliki, p`iki, pili

koke, `pona, kwili, apo

kilipue, pukuku`i

No general term, but emotions may

be described by descriptive words
following: pu`uwai, na`au, as in
pu`uwai hau`oli (happiness)

pi`ipi`i `lelo
lalawe ke kino

h a`e ke aloha

emotionally excited, as with hate,

love, lust

hpp

enchanted

heihei

encourage

ho`opaipai

endearing

ho`lohaloha

endearing terms

the singular possessive, my

sweetheart
the singular possessive, your
sweetheart

ku`u, as in ku`u ipo

k, as in k ipo
nei, as in Hawai`i nei (my
beloved Hawai`i)

beloved

enjoy

luana, walea, nanea, ho`ohoihoi,

`oli`oli, le`a

enjoyable

nanea, ho`onanea, walea, le`ale`a,

kapakapa, luakaha

enjoyment

`oli`oli, hau`oli, hoihoi

entice

kono, ho`okonokono, `ume,

ho`ohahai, ho`owalewale

entrance, as in "to charm"

ho`ohia`ai, ho`ohoihoi, punihei,

makahehi

eternity

w (au) pau`ole, w (au) mau loa

everlasting

pau `ole, mau loa

excite, arouse

exciting
stir up (excite)
heart-stirring
to stir with life

ho`ophoihoi, h`eu`eu,
ho`olalelale, ho`ouluulu

`eu`eu, ho`ophoihoi
ho`opi`ipi`i, h`eu, h`eu`eu
h`oni pu`uwai

`nana

exclaim, as in delight

kani`

expression

kleo, mpuna leo, mpuna `lelo

sweet expression of face or

eyes

maka onaona

ho`okahi n mpuna leo a ke

aloha

a single expression by the

lover

exquisite

nani makamae, `auli`i

F
family

`ohana; pilikana

fancy, as in "to take a fancy to"

ho`ohihi`ho`okohu

favorite

punahele, milimili, hiwahiwa, maka,

hulu manu

February

Pepeluali

feelings

na`au, loko, ha`awina, manawa

(poetic)

finger, third or ring

manamana pili

fire

ahi

to light or kindle a fire

fireplace / firewood /
matches

ho` ahi

kapuahi / wahie / n ahipele

fireworks

kao lele, ahikao, `ahi

flirt

ho`ohai, ho`oha`i wale, ho`oha`ilua;

ho`oheihei (to ensnare)

flirtatious eyes

maka ki`i

flower, flowers

pua, n pua

bouquet
bud / rosebud
flower that attracts
rare choice flower

pk, pk pua, pp
liko / liko ka loke
pua l`
pua laha `ole

flower that never dies (of a

sweetheart)

pua mae `ole

fond

puni, laka, aloha

fondle

milimili, milika`a, mili, hamo,

ho`oka`awili

for

For you.

Nu.

For me?

Na`u?

fragrance

`a`ala, `ala, onaona, auhea; moani

(wafted)

friend

hoaloha, hoaaloha, makamaka (oclass); aikne (a-class); hoa pili

(intimate, personal); hoa

my friend

A friend, a nest of fragrance

(poetic).

ko`u hoaaloha, ko`u

makamaka, k`u aikne

He aikne, he pnana na ke
onaona.

friendly

ho`lohaloha, ho`ohoaloha,
laulauna, maka launa, heahea,
ho`olauna

friendship

pilialoha, laule`a, `imi hale

frisky

lelele, `anapau, kiani, kka`elek

frolic

lapa, klapa, p`ani lapa, `anapau

funny

ho`omke`aka, k i ka `aka,
ho`okolohe

G
garland

lei

gentle

akahai, mlie, laka, waipah

gentleman

keonimana

act as a gentleman

ho`okeonimana

gift, present

makana, ha`awina

giggle

hene ka `aka, `aka iki, hene iki,

henehene

give

h`awi

give gladly

h`awi manawale`a,
manawale`a

glance

`alawa, `ala`alawa, kilohi, leha,

maka leha, maka lena, kokoe
maka, ki`ina `nohi maka

Gods of love

Lono-i-ke-aweawe-aloha, Makanike-oe, Laukapaliki, Hono-a-lele

good-natured

waipah, `olu`olu, wawali, waliwali,

pnolunolu

goodness

pono, maika`i, hemolele

good will

lokomaika`i

gracious

lokomaika`i, `olu`olu, waipah

grateful

ho`omaika`i

grateful heart
I am grateful for your
help/support.

na`au ho`omaika`i
Ho`omaika`i au i kou kkua
mai.

I am very gratefully yours

`O wau n me ka ho`omaika`i

gratification

mahalo, le`a (sexual)

gratitude, homage

ho`omaika`i, mahalo

great

nui, nunui

very great

nui loa, lele`oi

greatest, utmost

nui, po`okela, heke, hapa nui,

hapa loa, kaupoku

greeting

aloha, aloha aku

greetings of love / affection

farewell greeting

to press noses in greeting

Aloha, `Ano`ai, Welina me ke

aloha
hui hou, Aloha

honi

H
happiness

hau`oli, `oli, `oli`oli; laule`a, hoihoi,

le`a, hau`oli`oli, kle`a

In poetry, coolness, fragrance, and

rain may signify happiness.

to cause happiness

ho`ohau`oli

place of happiness, comfort,

pleasure (poetical)

kahua o Mali`o

happy

hau`oli

to be happy

noho me ka hau`oli

happy-eyed

hau`oli n maka

heart

pu`uwai Fig., na`au, loko, poli,

umauma, manawa

heart beat
generous heart
hearts desire

heart-stirring

heaven

highest heaven

heavenly

pana
manawale`a
`i`ini o ka na`au, makakhau

ho`oniua pu`uwai

lani, papa lani, lewa, aouli, pa`a-iluna

apo-a-lewa, lewa lani, lani

kua ka`a

lani

hold hands, go hand in hand

kui lima, kuikui lima

home

home, kauhale

homeland

one hnau` `ina hnau,

homeland of ancestors

homesick

kulaiwi
kuakahi; we `ina o ke
kupuna

aloha kaumaha i ka home

honest

pono, kpono, ho`okamani `ole

honey

meli, wai meli, wai pua, hone

honeymoon

mahina meli

honor

ho`ohanohano, hanohano;
ho`onani, ho`ohiwahiwa, ppahi,
mlama, pa`ihi, hano hweo

a great honor
Honor your lover.

he ho`ohanohano nui
Mlama i ku ipo.

Placed in a position of honor.

kau i ka hano

hope

mana`olana, `upu, pono, lana ka

mana`o
hopeful

hug

hug ardently

Love is humble.

humor

hilarity

hunger

My day of hunger survives

through your love.

husband

lana ka mana`o, ho`olana,

hlana ka mana`o

pliki, pku`i, apo

humility, humble

affectionate reference to
husband
polite reference, not said of

kilipue

ha`aha`a

Ha`aha`a ke aloha.

ho`omke`aka, piha `eu

piha le`ale`a, ho`omke`aka,

lua`pana

ploli, make `ai

Ku`u l ploli, ola i kou

aloha.

kne, pilikua, kne i `ili

lei

ali`i kne

ones own husband

I
infatuate

ho`ohei, ho`ohei mana`o, li`a nui

infatuated

ona

infatuated with desire

ulupuni i ka makemake

inspire

inspiration

interest, as in concern

ulu, ho`oulu, ho`olalelale

mea ho`o`ulu i ka mana`o,

ulu, a`o loko

hoihoi, kuleana

interested

hoihoi

interesting

hoihoi, nanea, walea

intimate

hoa pili

pili koke, kuluma

hoa pili

J
joy

hau`oli, `oli, `oli`oli, le`a, le`ale`a

to give joy
My heart leaps for joy.

h`oli, ho`ohau`oli
Lele ko`u houpo i ka `oli`oli.

joyful, joyous

piha hau`oli

juicy

wai nui

K
keepsake, memento, souvenir

souvenir of a beloved

mea ho`omana`o, pa`aloha,

pukana

kindness

kiss

treat with kindness

pukana aloha

lokomaika`i, `olu`olu, `olu, aloha,

na`au ali`i, akeake, hulu,
kolokolohai

aulike, aloha aku, ho`olako

honi; kiki, ihi, h mai i ka ihu

to kiss repeatedly

know

`ike

to know well, thoroughly

to know definitely

to know sexually

honihoni

walewaha, mkaukau, ma`a

`ike pono
`ike; pkanaka (know a male
sexually)

L
lady

haku wahine

laughter

`aka` h`aka, `aka`aka

burst of laughter

heh, h ka `aka

provoke laughter

h`aka, h`aka`aka,
ho`omke`aka

lei

lei

leisure

manawa nanea, manawa walea,

w ka`awale

life

ola

In poetry, rain and mist may signify

life.

nohona hau`oli

`eu`eu, h`eu`eu, ele`eleu,

`eu

happy life
full of life

light

ao, lama, malama , kukui

dazzling light
light of knowledge
sacred light
ignite
lighten
You are the light of my life.

hulili
mlamalama, `ama,
m`ama`ama
la`a kea
h`, h`a`
ho`omm

O ka ao o ko`u ola o `oe.

lighthearted

na`au kaumaha `ole, le`a ka na`au

look

nn, kilo

look longingly
look heavenward
look with favor

mkilo, `aiau
kilo lani, hika`a lani

maliu

lovable

ho`lohaloha, ho`oheno,
henoheno, ho`ohenoheno, aloha

love

aloha, `ano`i, nipo, kaunu,

ho`oipoipo, ho`oheno, puni, oha,
mahamaha

mist, rain, spray and coolness may

represent love in poetry.

deep love
loved one
With love,
an expression of love for a
favorite
love song
love magic
to cherish secretly, as love
to be in a bond of love
My love surges forth.

to make love

kipona aloha, halehale ke

aloha
mea aloha, aloha
Me ke aloha,
pa`ipunahele
mele ho`oipoipo
hana aloha
hkeo
pilialoha
Mpu mai ko`u aloha.
ho`oipo, ho`oipoipo,
h`aloha, ho`onipo,
h`in`inau, kaunu, kaulu

love affair

pili ho`oipoipo

lovebird

manu aloha

love letter / love note

leka aloha / leka pkole aloha

love pangs

koni, konikoni lua, `eha konikoni lua

i ka pu`uwai

lover

ipo, aloha, huapala, hoa kaunu,

`ano`i

ardent lover
sweet-natured lover
lover (slang)
to sleep with a lover

a lover for the late night

loving

ipo ahi
ipo laua`e
km
moe ipo

he hoa kaunu no ke aumoe

aloha, lohaloha, ho`lohaloha,

na`au ali`i, `p ali`i, pu`uwai aloha

loyal, loyalty, steadfast,
steadfastness

kpa`a

luscious

`ono

lust

kuko, `a`ako, `ako, wela

M
marriage

marriage proposal
to perform the marriage
ceremony
families united by marriage
married
married couple
bride
bridegroom
matrimony
United in the pure bonds of
matrimony.

male `ana, moe, noho p `ana,

ho`o

noi male
ho`omale
alohiki
ho`omale
pa`a male
wahine male hou, wahine
mare
kne male hou, kne mare
male, makelimonio
Ua ho`opili `ia ma ka pelika
ma`ema`e o ka male.

massage

lomi, lomilomi

mate, companion

hoa, koko`olua, lua

to mate

moe, male, ho`omau, ho`o

matter, as in, to be important

`ano nui, mana`o nui

mature

makua, kanaka makua, o`o

Your gentleness has

matured me.

mean, as in, signify

meaning

`O k ahonui ka i ho`omakua
mai nei ia`u.

mana`o

mana`o, mana`o nui, `ano

measureless, without bounds

ana `ole, palena `ole, mnu`unu`u

memory

ho`omana`o, hali`a

cherished memory

hali`a aloha

make merry

le`ale`a, wela ka hao (fig.)

music

mele (vocal), ho`okani

(instrumental)

sweet (as music)

hone, nahenahe, polinahe

O
overwhelm

Suffering of love is
overwhelming, here in my
heart.

po`ip, popo`i, uhi, lalawe

`O ka `eha a ke aloha ke
lalawe nei, eia li loko, i ku`u
manawa.

P
passion

burst of passion
culmination of sexual
passion

konikoni, koni, kaunu; hekili (fig.)

kkao
le`a, huahua`i

ko`iko`i, `ino

passionate

peace

malu, maluhia, la`i

quiet peace
to make peace
rest in peace

kp aheahe
ho`omalu, ho`omaluhia
e ho`omaha me ka maluhia

peace after passion

la`i ke kaunu

perfume

lkini, wai lkini, wai `ala, wai

h`a`ala, mea `ala, onaona, moani

poetry, poem

mele

precious

makamae, hiwahiwa, nn hiwa,

`alamea, hulu, liho

Q
quiver

kapalili, ha`alelule

relationship

pili, pilina, pilikana

loving relationship
relationship by friendship

inseparable relationship

remember

fondly remember

reverence

revered

romance

romantic

pilialoha
hale aikne, pili kmau
pilina wehena `ole, pili wehe
`ana `ole

ho`omana`o, ho`omaopopo,
h`upu, hali`a, hli`ali`a, haili,
ho`ono`ono`o, pa`ana`au

hali`a aloha

ano, ho`no, `ihi, h`ihi, `ihi lani

mahalo `ia, `iu, `ihi`ihi,

weliweli

pili ho`oipoipo, pilialoha

ho`oipoipo

S
satin

phoehoe

sense, sensory

`ike

sense of taste
sense of sight
sensual
goose bumps, goose flesh

sensation of inner quaking

accompanying sexual desire

`ike i ka `ono
`ike i ka maka
kuko i k ke kino
`kala, `kakala, l ka `ili, l ka
`i`o
manene

sensitive, as in perceptive

`ike ho`omaopopo

sex

No Hawaiian term for the word,

sex.

sexual passion
sexual excitement
sexual part

sexual intercourse

kola,huahua`i
mane`o, kola

ma`i (genitals), wahihuna

ai, ei, hana ma`i, moe, pi`i,

panipani, aina

share, to share

mahele, pu`u

snuggle

ne`ene`e pili

special

kikaw, mea i wae `ia

spouse

kne, wahine, kekahi, kahi,

`epukane, hoa `inau, wai `apo (fig.);
pili `ao`ao, moe mau

How is your spouse?

sweet (as a lover)

laua`e, henoheno

sweet (as eyes or

disposition)
sweet (as taste)

Pehea kahi o `olua?

sweet (as fragrance)

sweetheart

onaona
momona, mona, kuhikuhi
`a`ala, hone, `ala, nae,
anuhea, onaona

ipo, aloha, kne, huapala, wai

puna, hoa `inau, `ano`i pua

T
thrill

kapalili ka houpo, nku`i, ilihia (as

by beauty); lalawe

thrill in the heart

throb

konikoni lua i ka pu`uwai

koni, konikoni, kapalili

throbbing ache, as of love

`eha koni

throbbing in the heart

konikoni lua i ka pu`uwai

titillate

mane`o, ho`omne`one`o, ho`okola

together

to do together
close togeher
to put or bring together
Lets be together.
Let us live together.

hana like, `ilau

pili, pna`i
ho`opili, kpili
E pili kua.
Ho`okahi n k kua noho p

`ana.

to pull together or cooperate

touch

to touch lightly

to touch the skin

trustworthy

huki like, alu like

p, ho`op, pili, meu, hani,

ho`ohani

kahi, hamo

p `ili

paulele `ia

U
unmarried

male `ole

bachelor, unmarried man

bachelorette, unmarried
woman

wahine `ole, kanaka i male

`ole

wahine male `ole

unsurpassed

palena `ole, lua `ole, ana `ole,

launa `ole

V
Valentines Day

Ka L o Lono-i-ke-aweawe-aloha
(Literally, "The day of the god of
love and mercy"; a term coined in
1980)

value, worth

valuable

waiwai, minamina, waiwai kaulike,

waiwai `i`o

waiwai, makamae

W
warmth

mahana, pumehana

wedding

male `ana

wedding feast
Come to our wedding.

wedlock

whisper

`aha`aina male
Hele mai `oe i k mua male
`ana.

nohomale, nohona male

hwanawana, hwana, hamumu

wife

wahine, wahine male, pilialo, hnau

kama, Fig.: lei, hulilau

wink

`imo, h`imo, `amo, `wihi

winner

mea lanakila, mea eo

wit, sagacity, wisdom

akamai, na`auao

with

me

to associate, be with

pili

with me / with you / with us

me a`u / me `oe / me mua

wonderful, marvelous

kupaianaha, kupanaha, kamaha`o,

kamahoi, mea `, makahei,
iwaiwa, pha`oha`o` pha`o

Y
yearn

ake, `i`ini, nipo ninipo, niponipo,

li`a, ha`e, `loli, ho`loli

yes

`ae, `; e (in answer to a call by

name, or to acknowledge a name
chant in ones honor

you (singular)

`oe

you here (sometimes

affectionate)
for you
your

eia nei, ei nei

nu, nou

ku, kou, k (affectionate)