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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: O komo mai
Pronounced “Oh koh-moh-my”
Until we meet again: A hui hou
Pronounced: “ah who-ee hoe”
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Whether
you need transportation to and from Honolulu Airport or want a
customized, private tour of Oahu, Island Express Transport covers it
all. 
