9 Hawaiian words and meanings that you should know

Hey there,

how lovely that you are here!

It is incredibly pleasant to listen to someone speaking Hawaiian. If I had to describe how it feels to hear this language, I would say: it feels like cutting through a soft block of butter with a knife, like stepping into a warm, steamy bath after a stressful day or like receiving a long, and comforting hug.

The words are full of meaning, symbolism, gratitude and love.

They express the identity of Hawaiians, their culture and their history. They keep traditions alive and let memories blossom.

The Hawaiian language, like many species of plants and animals endemic to Hawai'i, is unfortunately threatened with extinction. As a tourist, you can help prevent this from happening. And it's really quite simple: learn a few words of the Hawaiian language and their meanings and try to incorporate them into your conversations with locals during your stay.

I would like to give you a little insight into the language with this article and show you 9 Hawaiian expressions that I personally like very much.

The following translations are all from the "Hawaiian Dictionary" by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert from 1986.

Here are 8 words and 1 phrase you should know when visiting Hawai'i:

1. Mahalo

Mahalo means "Thanks, gratitude" but it also stands for recognition, praise and appreciation. When you are in Hawai'i you can use this word the way you use "Thank you" in English.

2. 'Ohana

'Ohana means "Family, acquaintances, friends, being related". However, 'ohana includes all the people you care about and is not limited to blood relations.

3. Kama'āina

The word kama'āina, cannot be translated into English so easily because there is no proper translation. It is composed of two shorter words:

1. kama - which means "child"

and

2. 'āina - which means "land".

You could thus translate kama'āina, to "child of the land." Nowadays, all residents of Hawai'i are referred to as kama'āina, with or without Hawaiian roots.

4. Kanaka

On the other hand, kanaka addresses only inhabitants whose ancestors were Native Hawaiians. Kanaka can quite generally be translated to "human, man, individual or person".

5. Haole

If you visit Hawai'i, you're a haole. You are (most likely) not of Hawaiian descent and you are not a citizen of Hawai'i. This term is generally used to describe "white persons" or persons of Caucasian ethnicity. This includes Americans or English people. This explicit mention of Americans and English may date back to the settlement of Hawai'i by American and European missionaries and businessmen in the early 19th century.

The word is also used to describe something foreign and not native but introduced.

6. Mana

Mana also has no clear translation, but must be explained with a somewhat longer explanation.

The word mana is used to describe a supernatural force or divine power. It is about energy and not physical, muscular power. In Hawaiian religion, it is believed that in every object and person, and even in some places, mana is present.

7. Mālama

Mālama can be translated more easily. It means "to take care of, to worry about, to preserve, to protect, to save, to respect".

You can find this word In some other expressions as well, for example:

• Mālama 'āina - Which means, "Respect the land."
• Mālama i ke kai - Which means, "Respect the ocean."
• Mālama i ke kai, a mālama ke kai ia 'o - which means, "Take care of the ocean and the ocean will take care of you."

I really like this word because it represents the foundation of Hawaiian culture: caring, looking after and feeling responsible for others and the environment.

8. Ua Mau, ke Ea o ka 'Āina i ka Pono

This phrase is the state motto of Hawai'i.

The translation of this sentence was difficult for linguists because many Hawaiian words can be interpreted differently according to the context. However, the following translation is used particularly often:

"The life of the country is preserved by righteousness."

In the song "Hawai'i 78" by Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole, he sings this line. The song is about the changes Hawai'i has undergone since Captain James Cook discovered it in 1778.

9. Aloha

You've probably been waiting for this: aloha. Famous around the world and frequently used, but far too little is known about what aloha really means.

Aloha does not merely mean "hello" and "goodbye". The meaning of this well-known term goes far, very far, beyond that.

Aloha can be translated, however, the real meaning in aloha is to feel, live and spread it.

Here is the translation as found in the dictionary by Pukui and Elbert mentioned above:

"Love, affection, understanding, compassion, forbearance, grace, sympathy; (to) love, (to) be fond of; (to) be kind; Hello! Bye! Take care!"

In fact, there is a law in Hawai'i that suggests treating yourself and others with respect and love. It is called "Aloha Spirit Law" (Chapter 5, Sections §5-7.5 Hawai'i Revised Statutes since 1986).

In this Act, ALOHA is described as an acronym.

A - akahai: means kindness, expressed through tenderness.

L - lokahi: means connection, expressed through harmony.

O - oluolu: means affability, expressed by pleasantness.

H - Haahaa: means modesty expressed through frugality.

A - Ahonui: means patience expressed through perseverance.

Admittedly, the English translation sounds a bit unwieldy - but I think you get the point.

The Hawaii Spirit Law can be seen as a guide for your own life. Imagine what it would be like if every person lived according to this "law". We would live in a world where everyone pays attention to everyone, everyone respects everyone and does so without expecting anything in return.

Sounds too good to be true?

I would like to tell you three little anecdotes from my stay in Hawai'i to make you realize that every little action, every kindness towards others is already what aloha is about:

When I was on Kaua'i, I spent a day in Hanalei on the North Shore. I took the bus to get there and back. You have to pay for the bus with cash and put the bills in a small box and you don't get any change.

As my beautiful day came to an end, I set off in search of a bus stop. That was when I realized that I had no coins. I only had a 20$ bill but the bus ticket cost only 2$ (roughly).

"No problem," I thought, "I'll run to this boutique and ask if they can change money for me." When I arrived at the store, I described my situation but unfortunately, the young woman had no matching bills in the cash register. I almost gave up when she said "But here, I still have a 2$ coin in my wallet. Here, take it."

And I was perplexed. The dear young woman simply gave me money without knowing me, without expecting anything from me, without anything in return, unconditionally.

But that's not the end of the story.

I was waiting at the bus stop for the bus again which was delayed. But that didn't bother me, I was on vacation and I knew that the clock ticks a little differently on islands. Besides, in Hawai'i, you learn pretty quickly to simply be content and enjoy the moment. Eventually, though, the bus arrived and I got on, a little relieved - after all, I wanted was to get back to the hostel in Kapa'a. I paid the fee and then the driver asked me where I wanted to go, so I told him. The driver replied to me, "This bus is not a regular bus anymore, today [Sundays] the buses run on a different schedule. The last bus to Kapa'a left a few hours ago. I'm picking up a soccer team. I'll take you as far as Kapa'a and you can get off there."

And again I was perplexed. I could not believe how much kindness I had experienced in the last few hours. First, a lovely woman gave me money for the bus, then the bus driver stops at the bus stop, although he did not have to, because he saw a young woman with a backpack standing there looking a little lost.

It was magical, really magical.

In fact, these were not the only magical aloha moments that I experienced. Here is another short story:

After the end of a lū'au, it was already dark, people made their way to the exits to find their bus or car. I had come by bicycle. The organizers of the lū'au observed me, came up to me and asked: "Are you on a bike? It's already dark and we don't want you to ride your bike home alone. You can take that bus to Kapa'a [he pointed to a friendly smiling Hawaiian] and we'll load your bike in the hold. Come on."

As you can imagine, I was again very perplexed and fascinated.

Of course, I did not have to pay anything for this transport.

As you can see: In Hawai'i, people take care of each other. People take responsibility, are attentive and friendly. It doesn't matter if you are family and friends or not. Because all people are 'ohana.

I hope so much that you experience aloha at first hand too. And most importantly, I wish that you will give aloha That you give more than you take. Show your respect, appreciation and develop a deep interest in Hawaiian culture, people, animals, plants and the ocean; be attentive, mindful and grateful.

It is quite simple.

Be kind and love nature,

Daniela