3. Kaukau? We are proud to support the perpetuation and celebration of the beautiful Hawaiian language. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy What does try mean in Hawaii? I knew it meant part but didnt know it originally meant part Hawaiian specifically. Want to bring aloha home? The state motto of Hawaii is Ua Mau Ke Ea o ka ina i ka Pono meaning The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. It doesnt mean that the land is righteous, but that the people need to be righteous for a land to prosper. Wahine + Kane, the Hawaiian words for women and men, are often used in bathroom signs throughout the islands. Go eat! The Hawaiian language is a reflection of love, honor and commitment. This word is most commonly used to describe physical beauty, but can also be used to describe inner beauty, or the beauty of nature. Haleakala means "house of the sun.". Drops: the new way to easily learn a language that combines engaging and fun word games with beautiful design . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This article was prepared from a series developed by Terry Naauao Panee, February has been designated by the state of Hawaii as, In reality, one shouldnt have to go around bragging about ones accomplishments. However, if it does have a long and o sound, my best guess is that its the way the Hawaiians must have pronounced it, and not the missionaries. It symbolizes so much: heaven, heavenly, something sacred. Example: Ho brah, where you like grind tonight? Hawaii version of thank god its friday! Sentiment, not an actual holiday. [] out: 76 Hawaiian Slang Words and Pidgin Phrases Youll Want to Know before your []. Watch on. Want to make musubi at home? The famous Na Pali coast in Kauai is a great example of the word and translates into 'the cliffs' or 'many cliffs'. Other Hawaiian words to know and their pronunciations. This is the Hawaiian word for mountain. LEARN THE WORDS OF MANA. Broke Da Mouth - extremely delicious. ha-na-PA-a. Halala, fadah gone give you lickins. This is a list of the 1,000 most commonly spoken Hawaiian words. Kaukau time! Moon in Hawaiian is mahina, pronounced mah hi nah. Because the moon has several cycles, the Hawaiians added a word at the end of mahina to signify each moon cycle. Note: all photos submitted become property of A Friend in the Islands and may be used for promotion. Directly translating to "after work," pau hana is a celebration of the end of the workday. Beautiful: Naupaka: A native shrub with a white blossom that look like half-flowers: Naupaka kahakai: The coastal species of naupaka : Naupaka kuahiwi: . When in Hawaii, I never hear locals say patio, I always hear them call it the lanai. Hawaiians use the hula to tell their stories and can be performed with chants and/or music. Water is life. Example: No go Stairway to Heaven hike. Approbation; blessing; honor given to one. Try is the local way of saying can you please?, Why does every sentence end in ya? No matter the kind of trip, this post will give you the Hawaiian words you need to know! Get one pound poke and green bottles. Shoots!. Are you signing up for our Oahu Tips? Leialoha, Your email address will not be published. 'O Ku'u Aloha No 'Oe ~ You are indeed my love. There were always so many stars. Example: We stay friends from my hanabata days. In other words, if we love ourselves and commit to being a loving presence in the world, we'll grow and thrive. The Waikiki Hoolaulea and the Kamehameha Hoolaulea are some of the largest events on Oahu. Create paradise wherever you are with my debut novel, available for purchase on Amazon and more! Hapa alone means part Hawaiian. I feel so honored to be a part of this list with so many other talented Hawaii bloggers and influencers! It's as lovely to listen to as Hawaii's nature is to explore, with brilliant describing words and a fluidity rarely found in language. Hope you continue to enjoy looking at the stars. Nou No Ka `I`ini ~ I desire you. In Hawaiian, keiki means child. Example: Mark! What does aurite mean? When giving directions in Hawaii, locals usually give it in terms of makai and mauka. Makai refers to the direction towards the ocean, and mauka refers to the direction towards the mountains. The only exception relates to sentences that are in the negative mood. There are lots of beautiful options to choose from, and they sound great too! If you take a look at the Wikipedia page he's linked to, reduplication has different uses, one of them being intensification. Common Hawaiian Phrases. Alika - The most beautiful. What does haole mean? Example: I would always see people use the shaka in traffic, like when someone lets you in. Pronounced ah-LOW-ha, this word is often used to simply say hello or goodbye, but this greeting also implies a feeling love and affection. Of course, this was before lots of people moved to the Big Island. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. However its mostly used as a slang word when fishing as a celebratory way of saying youve caught something. I hope the pronunciations help too! So many interesting nuances! Example: No go touch the honu. Pronounced hoo-moo-hoo-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-wh-poo-wahah, if you can say this word for the Hawaiian state fish, you are on your way to learning many more Hawaiian words! I am the author ofAloha State of Mind, a self help book that teaches you how to create paradise wherever you are. While the list of commonly used Hawaiian words and slang terms are numerous, we hope these basics will at least help you feel more comfortable and welcome in the beautiful Aloha State! Learn more. To say "beautiful girl" in Hawaiian, you would say "wahine piliwai.". What does okole mean? Everyone's familiar with this Hawaiian word. In Hawaii, slippahs are not just for indoors. Try Lauwiliwilinukunukuoioi. Ohana | [ohn] As Lilo and Stitch taught us "Ohana means family. Water is an important life force in any culture and environment, but especially in Hawaii. Here are the, 22 Hawaiian Phrases to learn before you visit Hawaii, which can help you appreciate your visit to Hawaii. Unfortunately, the road we lived on did get busy and cars would carelessly speed on by, so we stopped doing it. Pronounced MEH-lay kuh-lee-key-MA-kah, this word means Merry Christmas. Most Popular Phrases in English to Hawaiian. That was something we heard a lot. Better yet, be a lei to honor your parents and ancestors as well as those who came before you. Louise. Example: Hows dat ghost story? Many Hawaiian names use the word kai, either as simply Kai, Kekai (the sea), Kailani (heavenly sea), Kainani (beautiful sea), and so forth. If you want to really thank someone you could say Mahalo nui loa, which means thank you very much. What does broke da mouth mean? For macron usage, replace the underline below a letter with a macron over the same letter. My secind favourite: hui, the word for the front flippers of a turtle that's just so cool. Now you *know* I LOVE this new series, but especially this first one since my nickname is kou ll! It can be used as a noun, adjective, verb or whatever. Use the word "ho'onani" as a verb to describe beauty or to give praise. Example: Ho brah, hows da fishing? Laie, Hawaii, 96762, Sign up and receive emails when we post new blogs . E hele kua i ke kahakai - Let's go to the beach. The term hapa is commonly used to describe a person who is part white, and part another race, usually Asian. What does pakalolo mean? While the list of commonly used Hawaiian words and slang terms . O ola . . lelo Hawaii ("Hawaiian language") is an incredibly beautiful, melodic, and unsurprisingly one of the most sacred and respected elements of the Hawaiian culture. -Lei, Your email address will not be published. No need make food. The following translations are what I have learned the words to mean based on my own observations being in Hawaii along with some help and examples from Ryan. White people did not greet in this fashion so they were without breath. Literally, it means without the breath of life. Ha is the breath of life. Without Aloha all the other cultural values are not complete. The Hawaiian word for Love is Aloha. Because of the skills of the master carvers and the many hands that helped, Iosepa was completed in just over 8 months. What does aloha mean? Many Hawaiian names use the word "kai," either as simply Kai, Kekai (the sea), Kailani (heavenly sea), Kainani (beautiful sea), and so forth. Pau is Hawaiian for all done or end. Aku is the Hawaiian word for shipjack tuna, a local favorite in Hawaii. Example: To find the trailhead, head mauka til you reach da dead end. Koa is derived from the Hawaiian acacia tree, or Acacia koa, which is endemic to Hawaii and typically grows between 49 to 82 ft high and 20 to 39 ft wide. They stay right here. Hello. KA-ma EYE-na. Mahalo. I enjoy this!! The coconut wireless is similar to hearing through the grapevine. Wai is not a commonly used word by locals, but it is one that we know and appreciate. Yes it is the most mispronounced word. Ua, pronounced oo-ah, means rain in Hawaiian. Our dictionary contains many vocabulary words, popular phrases, common sayings, and slang. Hawaiian language is not slang or pidgin. In Hawaii, you will quickly notice how often people end their sentences with ya? Its a quick way to see if someone agrees, instead of saying isnt it?. The local bands are heavily influenced by Bob Marley." -Bruno Mars. Lilikoi is the Hawaiian word for passion fruit and is one of the most popular flavors in Hawaii. Hawaii Photo of the Day and Moment of Aloha Video Postings: Tips to create a beautiful meaningful wedding without the burden of wedding debt: Subscribe to the Aloha Friends YouTube channel for Luau craft tutorials, ideas for Hawaii theme celebrations, and relaxing Moment of Aloha videos to enjoy a mental vacation to Hawaii anytime. Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, graduations, and everyday life. You will notice things are more laid-back in Hawaii so everything moves a little more slowly. Image by FatCamera/Getty Images. Leialoha. Lei - This . Getting one kanak attack. What are pupus? Learn simple principles to bring Aloha into your home and life! People got it turned around because of the phrase Hapa Haole, which means part white. To grind means to eat in pidgin! Kapu is the Hawaiian word for forbidden, not allowed, stay out. Kahele - To go. The term tita refers to a tough local woman or a female version of a moke. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). Example: You may come across a bathroom sign that says Kane. Nani can also be used for splendid and pretty. Choke - a lot. What does mele kalikimaka mean? Example: Sorry we late. This nature name can also be spelled as "Kehlani.". Im a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and one of the scriptures we study is the Book of Mormon. Her maddah is Tanaka and faddah is Williams. Example: Stop that complaining. One of my favorites is when someone was telling an embarrassing story and they end it with omg it was so shame! Or I was SOO shame!. This lovely baby girl name means 'Orange Tree'. Tako is the Japanese word for octopus and is how you will hear it called in Hawaii, more often than the English word. If you spread some Aloha during your visit, you may just find yourself with a Hoaloha or two! All content on the website was written by Mike or Kim Crinella. Hawaiian cosmo words are beautiful and meaningful. Dont even know how to spell it. These Hawaiian Words and Phrases are ideal for Valentines, love notes, wedding invitations, wedding announcements, wedding gift thank you notes, and to add a Hawaiian flare to any wedding ceremony. Hawaiians are truly hospitable. The phrases He lei na ke kupuna and He lei poo na n mkua means A neck lei for the grandparents and a head lei for the parents. Hawaiian slang short for irritating, annoying. Where he stay? Kamehameha, the nephew of the great chief Kalani'opu'u, was smart person because of his battle . Pakalolo is the Hawaiian word for marijuana. It is derived from the Hawaiian root words "Keh" (beautiful) and "Lani" (boldness). Gotta add that to the list Circular lei symbolizes life and love as it has no beginning and end. What does puka mean? When you want to say "beautiful" in Hawaiian, you would say "nani.". Hammerjang Language Builds Identity and Perpetuates Culture, Kaiwakloumoku Pacific Indigenous Institute, The Ultimate Oahu Trip Guide for Movie Lovers, Sharing Aloha: Hawaiian words and their meanings, Hawaiian Culture Act 2 of H: Breath of Life, Modern Day Polynesian Warriors: The 2023 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Ceremony, Hukilau Marketplace: Eating International on the North Shore Part I. Kai is sea in Hawaiian. The Y on the end means Palace of Yah or Being Yah. Now I need go shishi. What is lilikoi? If the mother tongue of a people were to disappear, so too would those people disappear. Choke, brah.. Nose boogers! I hope my writing inspires you to carry aloha with you everywhere! Send us pictures from your Luau or Hawaii Theme Wedding! Continue with Recommended Cookies. Well I was at work this morning and GUESS who walked in?!? For example, ao loa (long, high status) or ao nohi (rainbow colors). Pau Hana time ; GAME-BASED LEARNING - Quickly pick up useful phrases - Challenging games makes the words stick. Kehlani is a Hawaiian name that means "the beautiful and bold". This pidgin word means to be frugal or have a tight wallet, aka cheap. Oh yes, thats a good one too! What does halala mean? What is musubi? This is one of my favorite pidgin phrases meaning something that tastes so good it hurts your mouth! Such a townie. when you used to wipe boogers. Isnt Jesus Christ amazing? What a blessing. What is an imu? River Kahawai, which literally means place of water, Beach Kahakai, which literally means place of sea. What does coconut wireless mean? Aloha Aloysious! What is shaka? Ua ola loko i ke aloha. It is sometimes mispronounced, but it has a powerful meaning. Example: Still get plenty food. No, Aunty, Im all pau. Cheer on your best . No can reach. Learn simple principles to bring Aloha into your home and life! The. It is a mix of English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Portuguese words that came about in the 19th century when migrants came from those respective countries to work the plantations in Hawaii. Person 1: remember the cute person who asked for my number last weekend? Ainakea, meaning "the white land." 7. Haahaameans low, lowly, humble, meek, unpretentious, modest, unassuming, unobtrusive, and humility. Thank you so much for putting this together for us foreigners! Thanks for sharing! Hawaii is well known for it's splendid climate, great beaches and beautiful scenery. Instead of waving thanks, you just give a shaka! Haole is a state of mind, cuz. Akahi, meaning "first time ever." A gorgeous name for your first baby that holds all the promises of new beginnings and starting fresh. With Ryans Japanese background and my Filipino background, its always interesting for us when we recognize Japanese and Filipino words mixed in with Pidgin! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . It represents the open ocean and used in names like Moana Pkpika, the Pacific Ocean. Akoni: Which means "deserving of admiration and praise" and stems from the Latin origins of the name Anthony. In the beautiful song "Hawai'i 78" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole you can hear the phrase being sung. The pronunciations are great, thank you so much , Yes, so many nuances!!! Pidgin also became helpful during WWII when Japanese spies tried to intercept local radios but couldnt understand what was being said. This list won't make you fluent in the language, but it was at least give you someplace to . The Hawaiian word Pono reflects goodness. These beautiful Hawaiian proverbs and sayings just might be the best way to describe how you're feeling or what you want to express in your captions. This beautiful first name for girls is very popular in Tahiti and Hawaii, it means : "crown of the sky". Beautiful Hawaiian Words Words in Hawaiian can have many layers and may be interpreted in slightly different ways depending on context. Aloha. Aouli. Broke da mouth.. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Theres a bucket list for each island, so you dont miss out on a thing! In Hawaiian pidgin, moke refers to a tough local man, usually of Polynesian ancestry, and someone you dont want to mess with. I hope these Hawaiian water words inspire you to appreciate the importance of water and make an effort to conserve and keep clean this vital resource. Use Wehewehe Online Hawaiian dictionary to find out more descriptions that Hawaiians used for clouds. , Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hawaiian Music: Everything You Need to Know. E komo mai. !Love the Hawaiian words and culture!! I appreciate your kind words and Im so glad you found my blog to be helpful and inspiring! Whether we went to the beach, sloshed through rainy streets, or splashed into a refreshing waterfall, we appreciate water. The w is usually pronounced with a v instead of a w sound. After all, a life filled with Aloha is a good life. Example: Hows the pakalolo? Stank, brah., How do you pronounce pakalolo? I will update that in the post above. Yes, please! Example: Careful, rocks stay slippery. Some joke that Haole is only derogatory if the F word precedes it. Our Hawaiian word of the day is "Pele" eia hou "Pele." Hu ka nani! I love the word for water in Hawaiian. Lei is a simple and short word. Ive put together this little Hawaiian Pidgin to English dictionary of my favorite Hawaiian slang words and pidgin phrases that youll want to know for your visit! haha, Ah yes, garoot! Pali is the Hawaiian word for cliff. Hawaiian is also closely linked with Hawaii's Polynesian roots. What is crack seed? In da back, stay play on the swings. Nau ko`u aloha ~ My love is yours. What does shoots mean? Mahalo for starting this , Awwwwwwww are you serious? . For some reason we dont remember hearing kaukau! The book discusses the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the jewel of it is really when Jesus Christ visits the people of ancient America. Howzit? Mahalo is Hawaiian for thank you! Aloysious, Aloha again Aloysious! I found Jesus fulfilling prophecies in every religion, including in Hawaii. All photographs on the website were taken by Mike or Kim Crinella, were submitted to A Friend in the Islands by a website user, or were Public Domain Fair Use at the time of publication. After all, your good work will become apparent, eventually, in the results of your accomplishments, in how you treat those around you, and how you choose to behave even when you think no one is looking. Aloha is also used as a greeting and salutation. Alani: Meaning "chief." Alika: Meaning "guardian" in the Hawaiian language. Akamu - The Hawaiian name for Adam, it means of the earth. This is another very common word you will hear in Hawaii. Mahalos! See more ideas about hawaiian, hawaiian quotes, hawaiian phrases. Example Grades 1-3; Grades 4-6; Teens; Close; Attend. Lkahi meaning unity, agreement, accord, unison, harmony; agreed, and in unity. Example: No give me stink eye. They gon lock you up. You will also hear the word leeward used instead to mean the west side of the island. Heiura. The Hawaiian word Haahaa reflects humility. Istolethetv/Flickr. From the second you leave the plane, and the warm and floral air hits you in the face, you are immersed in paradise with a wonderful and rich culture which enhances the undeniable charm of these islands. Heiata. After all, your good work will become apparent, eventually, in the results of your accomplishments, in how you treat those around you, and how you choose to behave even when you think no one is looking. Example: You broke da TV. Got one big mahi mahi! You so irrahz. "Where did I park? Hula is beautiful to watch, but there is even more than meets the eye. Pronounced WHO-la, this is the cultural dance of Hawaii. If there is only one word in Hawaiian you learn, this should be it. Thank you for inspiring this series!!! Example: At the end of a Karaoke song: Hana hou, hana hou! I guess the haole is still the butt of many of your local jokes. Mahalo for your comment. Hawaiian slang, more popularly known as Pidgin, is Hawaiis unofficial local language and can be heard spoken throughout the islands by the locals. Maybe because it was coined when White people first visited Hawaii. Example: When I went university at Washington State, I made lot of haole friends. Brian Gratwicke/Flickr. February has been designated by the state of Hawaii as Hawaiian Language Month. Hawaiian words; Get homework help. Here is a compilation of various Hawaiian words. Oh yes, those are good ones, thanks for sharing! Example: So, you catch any fish? Oh yeah. Fusion of the words "like" and "that". Exactly like how it is pronounced in English. Drais Guestlist How to get in for free! While it might give you some insights or clues about the ancient people of America, as well as the possibility of the Hawaiians migrating from an ancient American civilization, Im sure it will also provide insight on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Attend an upcoming event. I know the Sumerians had a star named Ea, pronounced, Yah. Stay windy. Required fields are marked *, E komo mai! Example: No mess wit auntys boyfriend, hes a moke. This one originates from Japanese. Example: Plenty good grindz. Example: Where the keiki stay? So, to get you started we've put together a list of the 5 common Hawaiian words you are likely to hear while visiting the islands. This pidgin word is Filipino in origin and means youre in trouble! Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten". Na'u `oe ~ You're mine. 37. What does kapu mean? Too many green bottles. Mahalo again for sharing, this has been a great read! Kailani - This traditional Hawaiian girl name blends "kai" (ocean or sea) and "lani" (heaven or sky) to create "sea heavens" or "heavenly sea.". The other voyaging canoes built in Hawaii, were all private builds and only certain people were invited to help. Hawaiian Cat Names with Meanings. But Haole simply refers to a foreigner or outsider. Be patient . Locals are friendly and quite charming. Click here to read our full Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosure Statement. Its lovely out there, and I cant remember a time our water catchments ever dried out up there! In Hawaii, family is everything. Similarly to makai, mauka is also a directional word used to indicate towards the mountains, so its the opposite of makai. nani ~ beautiful, enjoyable napo'o 'ana o ka la ~ sunset nene ~ endangered Hawaii native goose niu ~ coconut nohea ~ handsome, loveliness. Oh yeah! Fern is kupukupu in Hawaiian and is pronounced koo-poo-koo-poo. Oahu Off the Beaten Path: The Perfect 5 Day Itinerary - Solemate Adventures, Review: Residence Inn by Marriott London Kensington, One Day in Amsterdam Itinerary for Foodies, Amsterdam Sneaker Shops Ranked by a Sneakerhead. Let us always be Mahalo for the many blessings that we enjoy every day. This is Hawaiian slang for a little bit. Create paradise wherever you are with my debut novel, available for purchase on Amazon and more! We love ours. It can also mean to be alike, to be agreed, to be of one mind, and to be in union or unison. O Wau Me Oe Kealoha A O Oe Kealoha ~ I am my beloveds' and my beloved is mine. . You will often see it on signs to welcome you into a business or a town. Time To eat! Read to the end for some exciting news too! Not very many people have the word l in . Aloha is more than just a greeting. I hope you will find what youre looking for, and please dont hesitate to let me know if you have any questions! Heiani. Mar 4, 2019 - Explore Joanne Krech's board "Hawaiian Words", followed by 126 people on Pinterest. Weve just moved to the Big Island and we dont want to step on any toes or insult the beautiful locals. Example: Whos your new girlfriend? How you know I have a girlfriend? Heard through da coconut wireless.. Sign up for the Virtual Aloha enewsletter which will bring you a monthly dose of Aloha sharing our latest Hawaii travel tips and activity reviews, suggestions to move to Hawaii, and Hawaiian theme celebration ideas!Ask us anything Hawaii related, submit your questions! What does mahalo mean? . When I first stayed with his auntie and family in Kaneohe, Oahu, the first few months I started picking up the local Hawaiian slang words and phrases, aka Hawaiian Pidgin. There are some theories Ive heard about where the Polynesians originally came from and would love to discuss it in more detail. When Im in Hawaii, I never hear soy sauce, I only hear shoyu, which is the Japanese word for it. 8. Its Hawaiian slang for hows it going?. How do you use sistah/braddah in Hawaiian pidgin? Doesnt it just sound so pretty? This is why you may often hear of the Hawaiian islands as full of the Aloha Spirit where every person gives warmth and positive thoughts to every other person. The Hawaiian word Hoolaulea reflects happiness. Its an easy one to use and you wont feel silly saying it . The language evolved alongside the culture into the nuanced, multi-layered 'lelo Hawai'i we know today. You can get a free copy of the book here. Lo: A hawk native to the island of Hawaii. Ma ka hana ka 'ike. Older lady, older man. They are not called flip flops or sandals, they are called slippahs! Now they stay gone. How do you pronounce e komo mai? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. What does kahuna mean? Ferns come in many varieties, and like the term pua, kupukupu is a generic word for fern. Talk Story - chat, gossip, reminisce. And thank YOU so much for the suggestion!! Easy, right? You would only get offended if you know you doing haole kine shit. Example: How da Ohana stay? Theres a reason heenalu means surfing, because hee means to slip, slide, or surf and nalu means wave. People commonly used nalu as a name in Hawaii, but I havent heard variations on the name. The Luau I went to had activities like canoeing and lei making, and featured a pig slow cooked in the Earth along with traditional poi for dinner. While on vacation or visiting Hawaii you may be interested in learning more about this unique and beautiful language. OVER 80 MILLON PEOPLE have started speaking a new language with Mondly in over 190 countries. Person 1: I had food all over me and everything!! So if you're ready to give your bird a personality-packed name, check out this list of Hawaiian bird names. So, wear a lei, for whatever reason. Example: Sistah, how you learn cook so good? When giving directions in Hawaii, locals usually give it in terms of "makai" and "mauka." Makai refers to the direction towards the ocean, and mauka refers to the direction towards the mountains. Cultural Hawaiian words to know. Thank you for your feedback. Sun. Example: Head makai til you get to da kine, den turn left. Example: Hows dis kotonk? some people use u'i instead. lih-lee-KOY. In this article, I will share 5 Hawaiian cosmo words to inspire you to take more time out and admire the sky. The word "nani" can also be used as an adjective to describe other things that are beautiful, such as a sunset or a flower. Oh, a favorite local past-time! Small kine soua (sour), ya? I love hearing all the stories and things youve learned through your research and studies. When you are Haahaayou dont need to talk about what youve done because others will do it for you without you even knowing it. How do you pronounce lilikoi? They can be used for a friend or just someone youve met. I have always found it fascinating that nearly every culture and civilization has some kind of white god, including Hawaii. What does moke mean? Let me know in the comments! I always love learning about Polynesian and Hawaiian history. Check out Wehewehe and look up moon to find more variations on the word. Hanapaa? Example: I get one pizza. In Hawaiian it means someone who is an expert in a profession. The Hawaiian language, 'lelo Hawai'i, came to our shores along with the first people to arrive from the ancestral homelands of Polynesia. Pupus is Hawaiian for appetizers!