Popular
Hawaiian Words and Phrases!
The 5
vowels a,e,i,o and u as well as the 7 consonants h,k,l,m,n,p, and w make up the entire
Hawaiian alphabet. In the Hawaiian language a consonant is
always followed by a vowel which also means all Hawaiian words end in a vowel.
Names and words are more easily pronounced when they are broken down into single syllable
chunks. Take the name of
| Stressed vowels a - ah, as in car: aloha e - a, as in may: nene i - ee, as in bee: honi o - oh, as in so: mahalo u - oo, as in spoon: kapu |
Unstressed vowels a - a, as in about: ali`i e - eh, as in met: kane |
In
the Hawaiian language a symbol directly over a vowel called a kahakô indicates that the
vowel sound is to be elongated. A apostrophe like symbol called an `okina indicates a
quick pause in the word, as in "ah-ah" for the word a`a. Note: These
Hawaiian vocabulary words have not been written with the use of the correct kahakô
markings due to the absence of a Hawaiian Font.
Below
is a sample of popular Hawaiian phrases and words. Keep in mind we can not list every word
translation. Tip: A trick if you are looking for a specific word translation is to depress
the control key and the letter "f" key at the same time. It will bring up a find
box. Type in the English word you would like a translation for and click the find next
button. If the word is translated on this page it will bring you to it.
|
If you are having a Luau, Hawaiian theme wedding or vow renewal in our Island Gift Shop we
offer decorations like this adorable Hawaiian Kissing Couple
Cake Top/S&P Shakers as well as lifelike silk leis and lifelike silk
decorations, macadamia nut treats, hula supplies, Hawaiian music and more bring authentic
touches of Hawaii to your celebration! Quick Links to items in our Island Gift Shop for your
Hawaii theme celebration: When you purchase from our Island Gift Shop you are supporting this web site! |
Hawaiian
Days/Months
Sunday - Lapule (lay-poo-lay ) |
January - ‘Iaunuali (ee-ya-oo new-ahlee) |
Hawaiian
Phrases For Hawaii Theme Party
& Luau Invitations
| Invited: Kono Invitation: Palapala kono Date/Time: Manawa Place: Kauwahi Directions: 'Ao'ao Bring: Lawe mai Attendance: Ma’ane’i Reply/answer: Hua loa’a I am coming/I will come: E hele mai ana au I am busy: Pa`ahana nõ au Don’t forget: Mai poina! |
Anniversary: La ho'omana'o Baby: Keiki or pepe Birthday: La hanau Come and eat: Mai e `ai Celebration: Ho`olaule`a Congratulate: Ho'omaika'i Congratulations: Ho'omaika'i 'ana Our Wedding Day: Ko maua la male 'ana Promotion/promote: Ho’opi’i Retirement/retire: Ho’omaha loa Shower: Kuaua Wedding: Male 'ana Wedding feast: 'Aha'aina male Sweet Sixteen: Momona 'Umi Kumaono |
| Please join us: Ho'olu komo
la kaua Come celebrate: Hele mei hoohiwahiwa Come celebrate Taylor's first birthday: Hele me hoohiwahiwa Taylor’s mua loa la hanau Come celebrate Joe’s 30th birthday: Hele me hoohiwahiwa Joe’s 30th la hanau Come celebrate the wedding of Bob & Sue : Hele mei hoohiwahiwa Bob a me Sue’s la male’ana Come celebrate our wedding day: Hele mei hoohiwahiwa ko maua la male 'ana Come celebrate Jack & Jill's 25th Anniversary: Hele me hoohiwahiwa Jack & Jill's 25th la ho'omana'o Come celebrate George's retirement: Hele me hoohiwahiwa George's ho'omaha loa Come celebrate Sharilyn's promotion: Hele me hoohiwahiwa Sharilyn's ho'opi'i Come to Tiffany's baby shower luau: Hale mai Tiffany's pepe kuaua luau Thank you for celebrating with us: Mahalo nui loa na ho'olaule'a me la kaua |
|
Holidays Hawaiian Style
Happy
Thanksgiving ~ Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i (pronounced how-oh-lay la
ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee) |
Popular Hawaiian Phrases
| A hui hou kakou Until we meet again Aloha kakahiaka Good morning Aloha `auinala Good afternooon Aloha ahiahi Good evening Aloha `oe Farewell to you A`ole pilikia No problem Hana Hou! One more time! Kipa hou mai Come visit again |
Mahalo Thank you Mahalo nui loa Thank you very much Malu No Reserved For (This is ideal for place card settings) Me ka `oia`i`o With sincerity Mau Loa Forever Nau wale no Just for you `O wai kou inoa? What is your name? Pomaika`i Good Luck |
Hawaiian
Words & Phrases to Express Love
These Hawaiian Words and Phrases are ideal for Valentines, love notes, wedding invitations, wedding announcements, wedding gift thank you notes, and to add a Hawaiian flare to any wedding ceremony. If you choose to use Hawaiian phrases be sure to also provide the English translation so the phrase and your sentiment can be understood.
| 'Aha'aina Male ~ Wedding Feast Aloha Au Ia 'Oe ~ I Love You Aloha Aku No, Aloha Mai No ~ I give my love to you, you give your love to me Aloha Kaua ~ may there be love between us (said to one person) Aloha Kakou ~ may there be love between us (said to more than one person) Aloha No Au Ia 'Oe ~ I Truly Love You Aloha Nui Loa ~ All my love Aloha Pumehana ~ warm love, affection E Hoomau Maua Kealoha ~ May our love last forever E Kipa Mai ~ Come to me E Ku'u Aloha ~ My Love Eia Au, Eia 'Oe ~ Here I am, here you are Hele Mai 'Oe I Ko Maua Male 'Ana ~ Come to our wedding Ho'i Hou Ke Aloha ~ Let us fall in love all over again Hokeo - to secretly love Ia Iho Ke Aloha ~ To my love Ka Honi Mai Me Ke Aloha ~ And with love is a kiss Ke Aloha ~ Beloved Kipona Aloha ~ Deep love |
Ko Aloha Makamae E Ipo ~ Sweetheart you are so
precious |
People
Titles in Hawaiian
| alaka’i leader ali`i Hawaiian royalty `anakala uncle `anake aunt haumana student hoahanau cousin hoa kula classmate hoaloha beloved friend hoapili close friend kahu lio groom kahuna priest kahuna pule pastor kaikamahine daughter kaikua'ana older brother of a male kaikaina younger brother or sister of the same sex kaiko'eke brother in law kaikua'ana older sister of a female kaikunane older brother of a male kaikuahine sister of a male kahuna priest, skilled person, expert in a field kamali`i children kanaka human kane man kane male married man |
kupunakane grandfather, grandpa, granpa, grampy, gramps, papa, pops kupunawahine grandmother, grandma, granma, granny, grammy, grams, nana keiki child, children, kid, kids, offspring keikikane son koa soldier kumu teacher kupuna grandparent ku`uipo sweetheart lawai`a fisherman makamaka intimate friend makua parent makuahine mother, mom, mama, mommy makuakane father, dad, pa, daddy mo`i royalty, King or Queen mo`opuna grandchild ohana family paniolo cowboy wahine woman wahine makua sister in law wahine male married woman wahine male hou bride |
Additional
Hawaiian
Vocabulary Words
A
| a`a sharp jagged lava rock `a`ala smell good ae yes ahe breeze ahi fire ahi`ahi evening 'ahui mai'a banana bunch `aina land, earth 'Aina Kakahiaka breakfast alanui street `aka`aka laugh |
akahele be careful of akamai smart, intellegent aloha is a greeting used to say hello or goodby. Aloha can also mean love. anuanu cold anuenue rainbow a'ole - no `auinala afternoon `aumakua family guardian spirits apolima bracelet awakea noontime 'awe backpack |
H
| hahai follow hakaka fight hala kahiki pineapple halau hula troupe hale house, building hana work, bay hanau give birth haole foreigner, Caucasian hapa mix hapai pregnant hapalua half hau`oli happy heiau ancient Hawaiian religious temple hohono smell bad ho`i mai come back hoku star holoholo to walk or travel for fun |
honi kiss honu turtle ho`okipa hospitality ho'okomo enter, come in ho`oku`i to join together ho`olauna introduce ho`olohe listen ho`omo`a cook ho`opono faithful hu hu angry, agitated hui group organization hu'i hu'i cool hula Hawaiian form of communication using dance huli turn Humuhumunukunukuapua'a Picasso triggerfish (State Fish) |
I
| ihu nose ikaika strong `ilio dog |
inu drink imu underground pit oven used in luau |
K
| ka'a automobile kahakai beach kahiko traditional, old, ancient Kohala humpback whale kai ocean, ocean water kala dollar, money kalo taro kama`aina native-Hawaiian or long-time resident kama'a 'ole barefoot |
kapa moe blanket kapu forbidden, sacred kaukau food kini aluminum can koa strong, soldier, native acacia tree kui to string as a lei kokoke close, near, almost kokua help, cooperation kono invite |
L
| lama pa'ipa'i cocktail lanai porch, veranda lanakila to have victory lani heavenly laulima cooperate lei garland of flowers, leaves, nuts, or shells |
lewa air lima arm (body part) limu seaweed lole 'au'au bathing suit lolo crazy lua bathroom, toilet lu`au feast luakini temple for human sacrifice |
M
| mahalo thank you mahimahi dolfin fish mahina moon maika`i good makaainana commoner makahiki Ancient Hawaiian celebration held annually with sports and religious festivities maka`ika`i tour, sight see makai towards the ocean makana gift malihini newcomer, visitor mana spiritual power mana`o think mauka inland, towards the mountains |
mauna mountain maunu bait mele song, sing menehune mythical elf like people who are rumored to have inhabited the Hawaiian islands before Polynesians moe'uhane dream moku island mokulele airplane moana ocean, sea mo`o lizard, reptile water spirit mu’umu’u long and loose fitting dress |
N & O
| na`au pretty nai'a dolphin nani beautiful, enjoyable napo'o 'ana o ka la sunset nene endangered Hawaii native goose niu coconut nohea handsome, loveliness |
ola healthy, alive `olu`olu nice, pleasant `oma`ima`i not feeling well `ono delicious `opala trash |
P
| pa`akiki stubborn pahoehoe smooth lava palama palm tree pa'i palaoa cake pali cliff pau done, completed pinao dragonfly pipi cow pohaku stone, rock poi pounded taro root |
pololi hungry po pu`iwa surprise puka hole pulehu cook over hot coals pulelehua butterfly punahele favorite pupu appetizer, snack pupule crazy pu`u hill, cinder cone |
U & W
| ua rain ue cry u`i youthful looking, beautiful uku pay ukulele stringed instrument, small guitar |
wa`a canoe wai water (not salt water) wikiwiki quickly, fast wiwi skinny |
If
you have photographs from your Hawaiian theme celebration showing how you transformed your
party or wedding into a Hawaii oasis that you would like to share and have posted on this
web site please email them to us at islandfriends@aol.com
Be sure to check out our
additional tips and resources
for having a Hawaii theme luau!
|
If you are having a Luau, Hawaiian theme wedding or vow renewal in our Island Gift Shop we
offer decorations like this adorable Hawaiian Kissing Couple
Cake Top/S&P Shakers as well as lifelike silk leis and lifelike silk
decorations, macadamia nut treats, hula supplies, Hawaiian music and more bring authentic
touches of Hawaii to your celebration! Quick Links to items in our Island Gift Shop for your
Hawaii theme celebration: When you purchase from our Island Gift Shop you are supporting this web site! |
This web site filled with FREE Hawaii theme information and resources is sponsored by our online Island Gift Shop at www.alohafriendsshop.com where you can enjoy or share treasures from Hawaii anytime and add authentic touches of Hawaii to your celebration. If you enjoy or web site and find the information useful please support our site by buying something from our online Island Gift Shop!
Disclaimer : This page was created by and is maintained by Mike & Kim Crinella. All information, graphics, and photos contained in this web site are property of Mike & Kim Crinella. If you would like to contact us with questions, orders, or to notify us of any problems while navigating through our site please email us at islandfriends@aol.com
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