The 'Olelo Hawai'i (Hawai'ian Language) is still in use to some extent in Hawai'i, along with Pidgin English. (Keoni was considered a bilingual officer at the Halawa Correctional Facility on O'ahu because he speaks "the King's English" as well as Pidgin English, which is a recognized language in the islands.) If you're intrigued by the history of the language, check out this link.
And for quick reference, here's a fun sampling of Hawai'ian & Pidgin terms you can use when you stop in at Kana Girl's:
- ainoke'a (aye-no-KAY-ya)--I simply do not care about the subject at hand
- a hui ho'u (ah HOO-ee HO)--until next time
- ali'i (ah-LEE-ee)--chief
- aloha (ah-LOE-hah)--literally "to exchange breath;" greeting, love
- a'oia (AH-oy-ah)--there you go, there it is
- a'ole piliki'a (ah-OH-lay pee-lee-KEE-ah)--no trouble, no worries
- 'aumaku'a (ah-mah-KOO-ah)--a family's guardian angel
- au'we (ah-WAY)--my goodness
- broke da mout'--Pidgin term meaning delicious
- bruddah--Pidgin term meaning "brother," used in addressing friends
- bumbai (bum-BYE)--Pidgin term meaning sometime, later, whenever...
- choke--Pidgin term meaning "a lot of"
- da kine--"that kind," also used in reference to something particular or special ("da kine grinds" would be the best kind of food)
- e komo mai (ay KOH-moh MYE)--welcome
- got grinds?--Pidgin expression meaning "do you have food?"
- grind 'em--Pidgin term meaning eat enthusiastically
- hale (HAH-lay)--house, home
- hale kuke (HAH-lay KOO-kay)--kitchen
- hanai (hah-NYE)--if someone is unable to take care of children, others will take them in as "hanai," raising them as part of their own family
- hano 'ae (HAH-no EYE)--I agree
- haole (HOW-lee)--white person, stranger, literally "No Breath" (Ask Keoni)
- hapa (HAH-pah)--half
- heiau (HAY-ow)--temple or sacred place
- hapai (hah-PYE)--to carry as being pregnant
- helu ekahi (HAY-loo ee-KAH-hee)--number one
- honu (HO-noo)--sea turtle
- huaka'i (hoo-ah-KAH-ee)--journey
- hula (HOO-lah)--story dance
- Humuhumunukunukuapua'a--just because it's so much fun to say! :) Hawai'i's state fish which means "little fish with a nose like a pig"
- imu (EE-moo)--pit for roasting kalua pig
- islan' time--Pidgin phrase indicating that locals aren't in a rush!
- ka'a huila (kah-WEE-lah) Wheeled vehicle or car
- kapu (kah-POO)--taboo, forbidden
- kahuna (kah-HOO-nah)--high priest
- kalo (Kah-low)--taro
- kalua (kah-LOO-ah)--bake or slow roast
- kama'aina (KAH-mah-EYE-nah)--local person
- kanaka (kah-NAH-kah)--native Hawai'ian
- kane (KAH-nay)--man
- kapono (kah-POH-noh)--righteous, spiritual
- keiki (KAY-kee)--child
- kokua (koh-KOO-ah)--help
- kolohe (koh-LOH-hee)--mischievous
- ku ka paila (KOO kah PIE-lah)--heap, large serving
- kuleana (Koo-lee-ah-nah)--area of responsibility
- ku'uipo (KOO-oo-ee-poh)--sweetheart
- ku'u 'elemakule (Koo-ooh ehlay mah koo lee)--My Old Man!
- Local Girl or Boy--Pidgin term meaning authentically Hawai'ian
- lu'au (loo-OW)--feast
- mahalo (mah-HA-loh)--thank you
- makai (mah-KYE)--ocean side (used in giving directions)
- mano (ma-NOH)--shark (our family's amaku'a)
- maika'i loa (MY-kah-ee LOW-wah) most excellent, favorable
- mauka (MOW-kah)--mountain side (used in giving directions)
- menehune (MEH-nee-HOO-nee)--small people in Hawai'ian mythology who lived in forests and valleys
- mo'o puna (MOH-oh POO-nah)--grandchild
- me kealoha (may kay-ah-LO-hah)--I love you
- no ka o'e (noh kah OH-ay)--the best
- 'ohana (oh-HAH-nah)--family
- oni pa'a (OH-nee PAH-ah)--to stand firm
- ono (OH-no)--delicious
- opu (OH-poo)--belly
- pa'akai (pah-ah-KYE)--salt
- pau (POW)--finished, done
- pau hana (pow HAH-NAH)--finished with work
- Pele (PAY-lay)--Hawai'i's volcano goddess
- pomaika'i (poe-my-KA-EE) lucky, fortunate (also my sistah's name)
- pua'a (poo-AH-ah)--pig
- puka (POO-kah)--hole
- pule (POO-lay)--prayer
- pupu (POO-poo)--snack or hors d'oeuvre
- shaka (SHAH-kah)--hand gesture meaning "hang loose"--used as greeting, thanks, expression of pleasure, "it's all good" plus "stay biggah den hook'em horns"
- sistah--Pidgin term meaning "sister," used in addressing friends
- slippahs--rubber slippers or flip-flops
- tutu ma (TOO-too mah)--grandmother
- tutu pa (TOO-too pah)--grandfather
- uahiki no (oowah-HEE-kee NOH)--you're welcome
- wahine (wah-HEE-nee)--woman
- wiki wiki (WEE-kee WEE-kee)--quickly
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 "Shaka" |
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