Hawaiian Phrases to Get You Started
A Hui Hou means goodbye or Until we meet again.
Aloha is an incredibly versitile word, and one that almost everyone is familiar with. Aloha can mean, hello, goodbye, affectioon, greeting, and most every other word you can think of that is nice to say to someone when you encounter them. Use Aloha liberally.
E Komo Mai means Welcome, and in E Komo Mai Maui, Welcome to Maui.
Honu is a general word for turtle. These are present all over Maui, and are plentiful at the snorkel spot at mile marker 14.
I Nehinei is yesterday.
Kama'aina literally comes from kama child and 'aina land, meaning child of the land, and has become common for referring to locals or those who are residents of Hawaii.
Kane means Man, which is very important when looking for a restroom. See Wahine
Keiki is child.
Kapuna is grandparent, or trusted elder.
Keia La is today.
Koho la means humpback whale. You'll see plenty of these from your lanai from December through April. Sometimes they arrive in November, and we saw a few while there in May.
La 'apopo is tomorrow.
Lu'au ia a Hawaiian feast.
Mahalo simply means Thank You. Mahalo nui loa means Thank You Very Much.
Maika'i says, Fine, Well or Good.
Makai means toward the sea.
Malama Pono is often used in writing as a salutation and means take care. Malama pono a hui hou would be Take care, until we meet again.
Mauka means toward the mountains.
Mele Kalikemake is Hawaii's way of saying Merry Christmas! Thank you Bing!
Nō ka ʻoi can only follow a noun, as in Maui nō ka ʻoi, Maui is the best!
'Ono means delicious.
Pehea'oe means 'How are you?'
Paniolo is Hawaiian for Cowboy. Hawaiian Cowboy tradition dates back to 1793, when Captain George Vancouver gifted a herd of cattle to King Kamehameha I. Excellent Maui beef is still available today.
Pupu is an appetizer. If someone invites you over for pupus, the appropriate response is YES!
Shaka isn't so much a Hawaiian word, as a well known symbol of greeting. Locals really do give each other the shaka sign in everyday life. Click here to learn more about the Shaka.
Sila Hawai'i means Hawaiian Monk Seal, which is an endangered species, though you will sometimes see them on the beach, or while snorkeling.
Wahine means Woman, which is very important when looking for a restroom. See Kane