Planning your Hawaii vacation? Learning basic Hawaiian words shows respect for local culture and transforms your travel experience.
I sat down with Hawaiian language teacher Kahanuola Solatorio to discuss essential words every visitor should know.
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 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.
Why Hawaiian Language Matters for Travelers
Hawaiian language forms the foundation of island culture. When you learn even basic words, you demonstrate respect for Native Hawaiian people and their traditions. These aren’t tourist phrases, they’re cultural keys.
“Language is very important and sometimes overlooked as part of traveling, but try your best to immerse yourself in the language, the culture, everything,” explains Kahanuola.
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
3. Malihini – Newcomer or tourist
Pronounced: mah-lee-hee-nee
4. Kama’āina – Native-born or a longtime resident of Hawaii
Pronounced: kah-mah-aye-nah
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:
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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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