Hawaiian Dictionary

If you are coming to visit our islands in Hawaii for your wedding; it's a good idea to prepare yourself by
learning just a handful of commonly used Hawaiian terms. You don't want to sound like a malahini (clueless
tourist). "More better" you start sounding like a genuine kama'aina (local born or savvy long time transplant).
It could prove very embarrassing if you are a "kane" (man), but you inadvertently walk into the bathroom
labeled "wahine" (women)!

Common Hawaiian Words

aloha [a-LO-ha]. Hello, goodbye, thank you, or almost anything else positive
'aina [EYE-na]. Land
ahi [AH-he]. Tuna, often eaten raw, called sashimi
Imu [E-mew]. A lava rock oven, dug under ground
hale [HA-lay]. House or home
haole [HOW-lee]. Refers to all Caucasians. May or may not be derogatory
haupia [how-PE-a]. Coconut pudding.
kahakai [ka-ha-Keye]. A sandy beach
kahuna [ka-Hu-na]. Traditional Hawaiian priest.
kahu [KA-hoo]. Non-Hawaiian priest
Pule [PU-Lay] A prayer.
kalua [kah-LOO-ah]. Polynesian cooking where food is cooked in an imu
kana'aina [kama-eye-nah]. Local born or savvy long-time transplant
kane [KAH-nay]. Man
kapuna [kah-PU-na]. Elder
keiki [KAY-key]. A youngster
luau [lew-AU]. Traditional Hawaiian feast with entertainment.
laulau [Lau-lau]. Hawaiian preparation made from meat or pork, rolled up in a taro leaf, often cooked in an imu.
lani [LA-nee]. Heaven or from heaven
mahimahi [mah-hee-MAH-hee]. Dolphin-fish, not the dolphin mammal
makai [mah-Keye]. Towards, near, or in the direction of the sea. Opposite of mauka.
malahini [mala-heenee]. Foreigner
mauka [Mau-ka]. Towards, near, or in the direction of the mountains. Opposite of makai
mahalo [MA-hah-low]. Thanks.
nani [NAh-nee]. Great beauty
ono [OH-no]. Very tasty
ohana [oh-HAH-nah]. Family, or extended family.
pau [pow]. Completed, over, finished
pau hana [pow HAH-nah]. End of the work day
pua [PU-ah]. A tropical flower
pupu [PU-pu]. Appetizers
puka [PU-kah]. A small hole or opening
wahine [wa-HE-nay]. female.

Some Common Misspellings of Hawaii Wedding Terms

Hawai - Hawaii
Hawaiin - Hawaiian
Mowi - Maui
Kaui - Kauai