While Hawaii is the 50th state in the United States and English is the official language, Hawaiian is also a state official language. Alaska and South Dakota are the only other states that have other languages besides English as an official language.
Because of this, you will come across many Hawaiian words when you visit the Big Island whether in conversation or on signs.
🗣️ Here are some common Hawaiian words you are likely to see or hear:
Hawaiian Word [phonetic pronunciation] – Definition
ahu [AH-hoo] – piles of rocks used as directional markers
ʻaina [EYE-nah] – Land, earth
ali’i [ah-LEE-ee] – Hawaiian chief
aloha [ah-LOH-hah] – Hello, goodbye, love
e komo mai [eh KOH-moh MY-ee] – Welcome
hale [HAH-leh] – House, building
haole [HOW-leh] – Foreigner, a person who is not a native Hawaiian
heiau [hay-ow] – Hawaiian temple
honu [HOH-noo] – green sea turtle
hula [HOO-lah] – Hawaiian story-telling dance
imu [EE-moo] – Underground oven
kahuna [kah-HOO-nah] – A priest
kai [ki-ee] – Sea, ocean
kalo [KAH-loh] – Taro
kamaʻāina [KAH-mah-EYE-nah] – Hawaiian resident, does not need to be Hawaiian born
kāne [KAH-neh] – Man, male
kapu [KAH-poo] – Forbidden, sacred
keiki [KAY-kee] – Child
ki’i [KEE-ee] – Tiki statue
kuleana [KOO-leh-AH-nah] – Responsibility
lanai [lah-nah-ee] – Porch, balcony
lei [lay] – necklace mad of flowers, shells, or other materials
liliko’i [LEE-lee-koy] – Passionfruit
limu [LEE-moo] – Seaweed
lu’au [loo-ow] – A Hawaiian feast
mahalo [mah-HAH-loh] – Thank you
mālama [MAH-lah-mah] – To care for, preserve
makai [mah-KAH-ee] – Toward the sea
mana [mah-nah] – Spiritual power
mauka [MOW-kah] – Toward the mountains
mele [MEH-leh] – Song, chant
moana [moh-AH-nah] – Ocean
nani [NAH-nee] – Beautiful
nui [NOO-ee] – Important, big
ʻohana [oh-HAH-nah] – Family
‘ono [OH-noh] – Delicious
paniolo [PAH-nee-OH-loh] – Hawaiian cowboy
pau [PAH-oo] – Finished, done
poi [POH-ee] – Taro root that’s been pounded to a paste
pono [POH-noh] – Righteousness, goodness
pua [POO-ah] – Flower
puka [POO-kah] – Hole
pupu [poo-poo] – Appetizer, snack
wahine [vah-HEE-neh] – Woman, female
wai [vah-ee] – Water
Hopefully this will give you a head start on navigating Hawaiian words you are likely to run across on your visit!