Hawaiian glossary
Every Hawaiian word on this site is translated where it appears; this page collects them in one place.
The Hawaiian words used on this site, with brief meanings.
- ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi
- The Hawaiian language.
- muliwai
- River, especially near its mouth; estuary.
- pā
- A word with several meanings, including dish or platter and enclosure. Used in our name for “table.”
- wai
- Fresh water.
- waiwai
- Wealth, goods, value — formed by doubling wai.
- ahupuaʻa
- Traditional land division, commonly running from the uplands to the sea.
- ʻāina
- Land.
- aloha ʻāina
- Love for the land.
- mālama
- To care for, protect, look after.
- koa
- Acacia koa, a tree endemic to Hawaiʻi; the word also means brave or warrior.
- ʻokina
- The glottal-stop mark (ʻ) used in written Hawaiian.
- kahakō
- The macron (as in ā) marking a long vowel.
- mahalo
- Thank you.
Definitions are brief summaries. For depth, consult the Hawaiian Dictionary by Pukui & Elbert (available free at wehewehe.org).