Hawaiian dictionary

A brief Hawaiian dictionary

Here is a compilation of various Hawaiian words. They are grouped them by subject matter for your browsing convenience. Included are common Hawaiian words and names that you may encounter during your vacation. We know that some of the words may seem difficult to pronounce right away. Give yourself some time, and don’t be afraid to sound and feel silly while you familiarize yourself with the Hawaiian language.

To learn some Hawaiian before you get here, make flash cards and practice with your family and friends. While on your trip, write down new words that you encounter. If you have problems with pronunciation on your trip, just ask a local – they will usually be happy to help you unravel a fun Hawaiian tongue twister. In no time at all you’ll sound like a kamaaina (local).

Traditionally in the Hawaiian language, the “W” is pronounced like a “V.” While the traditionalist would probably appreciate it, it is unnecessary to try to tackle this bit of grammar for your Hawaii vacation.

For example:

The word “Hawaii” would be pronounced “Ha-vhy-ee” instead of “Ha-why-ee.”

People:

Man: Kane
Pronounced: “kah-nay”

Woman: Wahine
Pronounced: “wah-hee-nay”

Child: Keiki
Pronounced: “kay-kee”

Elder Relative: Pili Mua
Pronounced: “pee-lee moo-ah”

Local Person: Kamaaina
Pronounced: “kah-mah-eye-nah”

Visitor: Mea kipa
Pronounced: “may-ah kee-pah’

Pele: Pronounced “peh-leh.” Meaning “lava.” Pele is the proper name for the Volcano Goddess.

Kalakaua: Pronounced “Kah-lah-cow-ah.” Meaning “the day of battle.” Kalakaua was considered the “Merry Monarch” of Hawaii. He lived from 1836-1891. It is also the name of an avenue in Waikiki on the island of Oahu as well as an intermediate school, recreation center and golf course.

Kamehameha: Pronounced “Kah-may-ha-may-ha.” Meaning “the lonely one.” King Kamehameha the First unified the Hawaiian Islands. It is also the name of a school for Hawaiian children, a military reservation, a highway and a field.

Kaahumanu: Pronounced “Ka-ah-hoo-mah-noo.” Meaning “bird cloak.” Queen Kaahumanu was the favorite wife of Kamehameha the First. It is also the name of a church, elementary school and shopping center.

Liliuokalani: Pronounced “lee-lee-oo-oh-kah-lah-nee.” Meaning “the smarting of the high born one.” Liliuokalani was the last queen of Oahu. It is also the name of a park, state government building, elementary school and Hilo waterfront.

Places:

Wailuku: Pronounced “why-loo-koo”
Waters of destruction

Makawao: Pronounced “mah-kah-wow”
Beginning of the forest

Pukalani: Pronounced “poo-kah-lah-nee”
Heavenly gate

Lahaina: Pronounced “lah-high-nah”
Cruel sun

Waikiki: Pronounced “why-kee-kee”
Spouting water

Haleakala: Pronounced “ha-lay-ah-kah-lah”
House by the sun.

Honolulu: Pronounced “ho-no-loo-loo”
Protected bay

Waimea: Pronounced “why-may-ah”
Reddish water

Kailua: Pronounced “ky-loo-ah”
Two seas

Makaha: Pronounced: “mah-kah-hah”
Fierce

Kona: Pronounced “koh-nah”
Leeward

Mauna Kea: Pronounced “maow-nah-kay-ah”
White Mountain

Things:

Waterfall: wailele
Pronounced “why-lay-lay”

Food: ai
Pronounced “eye”

House: hale
Pronounced “hah-lay”

Family: ohana
Pronounced “oh-hah-nah”

Water: wai
Pronounced “why”

Flower: pua
Pronounced “poo-ah”

Love: aloha
Pronounced “ah-loh-hah”

Hands: lima
Pronounced “lee-mah”

Nose: ihu
Pronounced “ee-hoo”

Eyes: maka
Pronounced “mah-kah”

Mouth: waha
Pronounced “wah-ha”

Ears: pepeiao
Pronounced “peh-peh-ee-ow”

Land: aina
Pronounced “eye-nah”

Sea: kai
Pronounced “ky” like “sky”

Tooth: niho
Pronounced “nee-hoe”

Sun: la
Pronounced “lah”

Moon: mahina
Pronounced: mah-hee-nah

Star: hoku
Pronounced “hoe-koo”

Rainbow: anuenue
Pronounced “ah-noo-eh-noo-eh”

Sand: one
Pronounced “oh-ne”

Stomach: opu
Pronounced “oh-poo”

Stone: pohaku
Pronounced “poe-hah-koo”

Wave: nalu
Pronounced “nah-loo”

Colors:

Red: ula
Pronounced “oo-lah”

Green: omaomao
Pronounced: “oh-mah-oh-ma-oh”

Yellow: melemele
Pronounced “meh-leh-meh-leh”

Blue: uli uli
Pronounced “oo-lee oo-lee”

Black: ele ele
Pronounced “eh-lay-eh-lay”

Purple: poni
Pronounced “poe-nee”

Pink: akala
Pronounced “ah-kah-lah”

Months:

January: Ianuali
Pronounced “ee-ah-new-ah-lee”

February: Pepeluali
Pronounced “pe-peh-loo-ah-lee’

March: Malaki
Pronounced “mah-lah-kee”

April: Apelila
Pronounced “ah-peh-lee-la”

May: Mei
Pronounced “may”

June: Iune
Pronounced “ee-oo-neh”

July: Iulai
Pronounced “ee-oo-lie”

August: Aukake
Pronounced “ow-kah-keh”

September: Kepakemapa
Pronounced “ke-pah-kay-mah-pah”

October: Okakopa
Pronounced “oh-kah-koe-pah”

November: Nowemapa
Pronounced “noh-way-mah-pah”

December: Kekemapa
Pronounced “kay-kay-mah-pah”

Animals:

Cat: popoki
Pronounced “poe-poe-kee”

Dog: ilio
Pronounced “ee-lee-you”

Horse: lio
Pronounced “lee-oh”

Pig: puaa
Pronounced “poo-ah-ah’

Cow: pipi wahine (female) pipi waiu (male)
Pronounced “pee-pee wah-hee-nay” and “pee-pee why-ooh”

Bird: manu
Pronounced “mah-noo”

Fish: ia
Pronounced “ee-ah”

Numbers:

One: ekahi
Pronounced “eh-kah-hi”

Two: elua
Pronounced “eh-loo-ah”

Three: ekolu
Pronounced “eh-koh-loo”

Four: eha
Pronounced “eh-hah”

Five: elima
Pronounced “eh-lee-mah”

Six: ono
Pronounced “oh-noh”

Seven: ehilku
Pronounced “eh-hee-ku”

Eight: walu
Pronounced “wah-loo”

Nine: eiwa
Pronounced “eh-ee-wah”

Ten: umi
Pronounced “oo-me”

Greetings:

Best wishes: E pili mau na pomaikai me oe
Pronounced: “eh pee-lee maow nah poe-my-ky meh- oh-eh”

I’m sorry: E kala maioe iau
Pronounced: “eh kah-lah my-oh-eh ee-ow”

Get well: E ola
Pronounced: “eh oh-lah”

Good luck: Pomaikai
Pronounced: “poe-my-ky”

Happy Birthday: Hauoli La Hanau
Pronounced: “how-oh-lee lah hah-now”

Happy New Year: Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Pronounced “how-oh-lee mah-kah-hee-kee-hoe”

Merry Christmas: Mele Kalikimaka
Pronounced: “meh-leh kah-lee-kee-mah-kah”

Thank you: Mahalo
Pronounced “mah-hah-loe”

Welcome: E komo mai
Pronounced “Eh koh-moh-my”

Until we meet again: A hui hou
Pronounced: “ah who-ee hoe”