The Top Hawaiian Words To Know Before You Visit

(Unofficial) Cultural Practitioner Kahanuola Solatorio is back on the podcast. This time to share what Hawaiian words and phrases to know before you visit.

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Discover the beauty of the Hawaiian language and culture with Hawaii’s Best – experience the aloha state with us today!

In this episode, Kahanuola Solatorio, a Hawaiian language teacher, discusses resources to learn about the culture of Hawaii, common phrases and words to know for a visit to the islands, and tips on learning the Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian language is at the heart of the culture of Hawaii, and it is important to be familiar with phrases and words you may come in contact with while visiting the islands.

Kahanuola Solatorio is a Hawaiian language teacher and Hawaii’s Best “unofficial” cultural practitioner. In this episode, Kahanuola discusses the importance of familiarizing oneself with Hawaiian culture and language before visiting the islands. He and Bryan Murphy, Hawaii’s Best Travel owner, go over 26 phrases and words tourists should know. Kahanuola emphasizes the importance of respecting the land of Hawaii and leaving it better.

Kahanuola also shares tips on how to learn the Hawaiian language, such as listening to Hawaiian music, reading Hawaiian literature, and taking a class or hiring a tutor.

In this episode, you will learn the following:

1. Learn about the Hawaiian language, culture, and the best resources to visit Hawaii responsibly.
2. Understand the importance of the Hawaiian words Aloha and Mahalo and the lifestyle they represent.
3. Discover the concept of Kamaaina and Malihini and the different dynamics between foreigners and Hawaii natives.

1. Aloha – Hello/Goodbye/Affection

Pronounced: a-lo-ha

love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! -source wehewehe.org

Aloha is a beautiful phrase synonymous with joy, respect, and love. It’s used in Hawaii for more than just saying ‘hello’ – it symbolizes a wish for peace and kindness throughout life.

2. Mahalo – Thank you

Pronounced: mah-hah-loh

Thanks, gratitude; to thank. Mahalo nui loa, thanks [you] very much. -source wehewehe.org

3. Malihini – Newcomer or tourist

Pronounced: mah-lee-hee-nee

Stranger, foreigner, newcomer, tourist, guest, company; one unfamiliar with a place or custom; new, unfamiliar, unusual, rare, introduced, of foreign origin; for the first time. -source wehewehe.org

4. Kama’āina – Native-born or a longtime resident of Hawaii

Pronounced: kah-mah-aye-nah

Native-born, one born in a place, host; native plant; acquainted, familiar, Lit., land child. -source wehewehe.org

5. Haole – A non-Hawaiian person or foreigner (typically a white person)

Pronounced: how-lee

White person, American, Englishman, Caucasian; American, English; formerly, any foreigner; foreign, introduced, of foreign origin, as plants, pigs, chickens; entirely white, of pigs. -source wehewehe.org

6. ʻĀina – land

Pronounced: aye-nah

Land, earth. Cf. ʻai, to eat; ʻaina, kamaʻāina. Kō nā ʻāina like ʻole, belonging to foreign lands, foreign, international. -source wehewehe.org

7. Wai – water

Pronounced: vye

Water, liquid or liquor of any kind other than sea water -source wehewehe.org

8. Kahakai – beach

Pronounced: kah-hah-kye

Beach, seashore, seacoast, seaside strand. -source wehewehe.org

9. Mālama – to take care for

Pronounced: ma-la-ma

To take care of, tend, attend, care for, preserve, protect, beware, save, maintain; to keep or observe, as a taboo; to conduct, as a service; to serve, honor, as God; care, preservation, support, fidelity, loyalty; custodian, caretaker, keeper. -source wehewehe.org

10. ‘Ono – delicious

Pronounced: oh-noh

Delicious, tasty, savory; to relish, crave; deliciousness, flavor, savor. -source wehewehe.org

11. Kapu – taboo/keep out

Pronounced: kah-poo

Taboo, prohibition; special privilege or exemption from ordinary taboo; sacredness; prohibited, forbidden; sacred, holy, consecrated; no trespassing, keep out. -source wehewehe.org

12. Kāne – male

Pronounced: kāh-neh

Male, husband, male sweetheart, man; brother-in-law of a woman; male, masculine; to be a husband or brother-in-law of a woman. -source wehewehe.org

13. Wahine – female

Pronounced: wah-hee-neh

Woman, lady, wife; sister-in-law, female cousin-in-law of a man; queen in a deck of cards; womanliness, female, femininity; feminine. -source wehewehe.org

14. ‘Ohana – family

Pronounced: oh-hah-nah

Family, relative, kin group; related. -source wehewehe.org

Resources:

Online Hawaiian Dictionary

Other episodes you’ll enjoy:

Episode 53: The Ban and Revitalization of the Hawaiian Language

Episode 59: The True Meaning of Aloha

Episode 60: What is Lei Day in Hawaii?

Kahanuola Solatorio Bio

Kahanuola Solatorio is a native of Kewalo Uka, Kona, Oʻaha. Kahanuola received his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies and a Masterʻs degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Kahanuola is currently a kumu (teacher) ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at the Kamehameha High School Kapālama campus and is also a member of the Hawaiian musical group, Keauhou. Kumu Kahanuola began his @ehoopilimai social media journey in 2020 for Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, posting videos to his story teaching ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi to his mom, “student cousin Cappy”, and his page took off with followers from around the world.

Since then, he has built a community of learners across the pae ʻāina and around the world who participates in his free weekly classes hosted on Zoom and continues to collaborate with our businesses and organizations (like NHSS!) to platform Hawaiian Language in all places possible.

Episode Resources

Kahanuola Solatorio

Travel Pono (responsibly)

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Hawaii’s Best Facebook Group

Bumper music, Aloha Friday, provided by Coby G (used with permission)

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