Usually the $3.00 plastic kind you see in the drug store. Slippas: This is also known as a pair of "flip-flops" or Sandals. A hand signal originally made popular by surfers where you stick out the thumb and pinky and fold the other three fingers in "Hang Loose!". Shaka: Great or excellent "Cool!" brilliant having fun good job. Could be anything from cheese and crackers to chips and salsa to sushi. Pu pu: An appetizer, snack or Hors D’oeuvres. Purplish in color and kind of sour tasting, it is a staple that can be found at all authentic Luaus. Poi: A glutinous paste made from pounding taro root. Pakalolo: Crazy smoke marijuana Maui-wowie. Often used as Pau hana which means end of work or quitting time. Be careful not to drive off the Pali during whale season! Also a much sought after white, flaky ocean fish found on many seafood menus. Ono: Delicious delightful or the best groovy. Many homes in Hawaii have an Ohana Cottage which could also be known as a guest house. Muumuu: One of those big, long, flowery dresses that have become fashionable at almost any island occasion. Mauna: Mountain, often combined with other words to be more descriptive, like in " Mauna Kea (White Mountain), over on the Big Island, often has snow on it in the winter." Mauka: Towards the mountains, also used when giving directions as in "Mauka-side of the highway." Most common are the white tip reef sharks. Malihini: A newcomer, tenderfoot or recent arrival. Mahalo: Thanks or Thank You! "Mahalo Nui Loa" means "Thank you very much!". Make sure you bring your appetite and your Aloha Shirt ! Luau: A Hawaiian feast featuring Poi, imu baked pork, poke, and other traditional island foods. One of Hawaii’s most beautiful customs, usually given at special occasions and especially upon arrival to or departure from the islands. Lei: A traditional garland of flowers or vines. Hotel rooms usually cost more if the Lanai has an ocean or sunset view.
Kokua: Help or assistance, as in "Your Kokua is needed to keep these islands free of litter. Kapu: Forbidden taboo poison keep out or do not touch. When written on a door, it means "Men’s Room". Oftentimes, hotels and airlines will offer special discounts called "Kamaaina Rates" to anyone who can prove their island residency. Kamaaina: A long time island resident or local. Kahuna: This means priest, sorcerer, doctor, or other highly skilled person. Humu Humu Nuku Nuku Apua'a: Hawaii's official State Fish. Huli Huli: To flip over and over rotiserrie, also barbecue, like in Huli Huli chicken. Dancers wear native attire, Leis, grass skirts and even Coconut Bras!.
Hula: A native Hawaiian dance where the rhythm of the islands is captured in swaying hips and stories are told by lyrically moving the hands. Howzit?: What’s happening? How’s it going? Frequently used informally by the locals in place of "Aloha". Haole: A word that used to mean foreigner, but now means a white person or Caucasian. Hale: House or building often combined with other words to name a specific place such as Haleakala (House of the Sun). One Da' Kine wave, the crowd watching may yell "Geev um, Brah!". Geev um: Give it to them go for it give it hell. Aloha is a general good feeling you will find everywhere on Maui!īrah: All the bros in Hawaii are Brahs brothers pals.ĭa’ Kine: The real thing a whatchamacallit "you know what I mean?". It can also mean romantic affection or best wishes. It can mean hello and goodbye, welcome or farewell. September - Kepakemapa (key-pa-key-ma-pa)Īloha: The most common expression in the islands. Hula Hawaiian form of communication using danceįebruary - Pepeluali (pay-pay loo-ahlee ) Note: These Hawaiian vocabulary words have not been written with the use of the correct kahakô markings due to the absence of a Hawaiian Font.Īloha is a greeting used to say hello or good bye. A apostrophe like symbol called an `okina indicates a quick pause in the word, as in "ah-ah" for the word a `a. In the Hawaiian language a symbol directly over a vowel called a kahakô indicates that the vowel sound is to be elongated.