Common Hawaiian Words and Definitions

Pronunciation Key

Stressed vowels a (ah, as in far) ex: hale e (a, as in way) ex: nene i (ee, as in see) ex: pali o (oh, as in no) ex: taro u (oo, as in moon) ex: kapu

Unstressed vowels a (a, as in again) ex: kapu e (eh, as in get) ex: hale

Note: Hawaiian words with repeat letters, such as the "oo" in moo or "aa" in ahupuaa, are pronounced separately (ie., moo is pronounced "mo o", not "moo"; ahupuaa is pronounced "ahupua a").


Common Hawaiian Words ae (yes)
ahupuaa (division of land stretching from mountains to sea)
aina (land, earth)
alii (Hawaiian royalty)
aloha (a fond greeting or farewell , the spirit of Kauai)
a hui hou (until we meet again)
aole (no)
ewa (westward)
halau (house for hula training; hula troupe)
hale (house or building)
hana (work; bay)
haole (foreigner, Caucasian)
hapa (half, person of mixed ancestry)
heiau (ancient Hawaiian religious temple)
huhu (angry, agitated)
hui (group organization)
hula (uniquely Hawaiian form of dance, communication, often through stories)
imu (underground pit oven used in luau)
kahiko (traditional, old)
Kohala (humpback whale)
kahuna (priest, expert in a field)
kai (ocean, ocean water)
kalo, taro (a broad-leafed plant that produces starchy roots)
kamaaina (local or long-time resident)
kane (man)
kapu (tax, forbidden)
keiki (child; offspring)
kipuka (oasis of undisturbed land within a lava field)
koa (largest of native trees)
kokua (help, cooperation)
kona (leeward, leeward wind)
koolau (windward side of island)
kupuna (grandparent)
lanai (porch veranda)
lae (cape, point)
lei (garland of flowers, leaves or shells)
lolo (feeble minded)
luakini (temple for human sacrifice)
luau (feast)
mahalo (thank you)
mahimahi (dolfinfish)
makaainana (commoner)
makahiki (celebration held annually with sports and religious festivities)
makai (towards the ocean)
malihini (newcomer, visitor)
mana (spiritual power)
mauka (inland, towards the mountains)
mauna (mountain)
menehune (legendary little people who inhabited islands before Polynesians)
moku (island)
moana (ocean, sea)
moo (lizard, reptile, dragon, water spirit)
muumuu (long and loose fitting dress)
nani (beautiful)
nene (rare native goose)
ohana (family)
ono (delicious, also a fish)
pahoehoe (smooth lava)
pali (cliff, precipice)
paniolo (cowboy)
pohaku (stone, rock)
poi (pounded taro root)
puka (hole, shell)
pupu (appetizer, snack)
puu (hill, cinder cone)
puuhonua (place of refuge)
ukulele (stringed instrument, small guitar)
wahine (woman)
wikiwiki (quickly)

Larry Barton, REALTOR ® (S), SFR, CENTURY 21 All Islands Kauai
P.O. Box 223700, Princeville, HI 96722
(808) 639-7532 Cell   /   (808) 826-9884 Fax   /   Email Larry