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 Hawaii’s state fish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and pronounce it hu-mu-hu-mu-nu-ku-nu-ku-a-pu-a-a. Phonetically pronounced who-moo-who-moo-new-coo-new-coo-ah-poo-ah-ah. Sometimes the letter W is pronounced the same as V as in the traditional pronunciation of Hawai'i which is phonetically pronounced huh-vi-ee rather than huh-why-ee. 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. POPULAR

HAWAIIAN

WORDS & PHRASES

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Days of the Week in Hawaiian Sunday - Lapule (lay-poo-lay ) Monday - Po’akahi (poh ah-kah-hee) Tuesday - Po’alua (poh ah-loo-ah) Wednesday - Po’akolu (poh ah-ko-loo) Thursday - Po’aha (poh ah-ha) Friday - Po’alima (poh ah-lee-mah) Saturday - Po ‘aono (poh ah-o-no) Months of the Year in Hawaiian January - ‘Iaunuali (ee-ya-oo new-ahlee) February - Pepeluali (pay-pay loo-ahlee ) March - Malaki (ma-la-key) April - ‘Apelila (ah-pe-lee-la) May - Mei (may-ee) June - Iune (ee-oo-ney) July - Iulai (ee-oo-la-ee) August - ‘Aukake (ah-oo-ka-key) September - Kepakemapa (key-pa-key-ma-pa) October - 'Okakopa (oh-ka-ko-pa) November - Nowemapa (No-vay-ma-pa) December - Kekemapa (key-key-ma-pa)

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 in Hawaiian

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee) Happy Holidays ~ Hau’oli Lanui (pronounced how-oh-lay la-new-ee) Merry Christmas ~ Mele Kalikimaka (pronounced may-lay ka-lee-key-ma-ka) Happy Hanukkah ~ Hau’oli Hanukaha (pronounced how-oh-lay ha-new-ka-ha) Happy Kwanzaa ~ Hau’oli Kawanaka (pronounced how-oh-lay ka-wa-na-ka) Happy New Year ~ Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (pronounced how-oh-lay ma-ka-hee-key ho) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ~ Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou Happy Hanukkah and New Year ~ Hau'oli Hanukaha me ka Makahiki Hou Happy Birthday ~ Hau`oli la Hanau (pronounced how-oh-lay la ha-now) Happy Anniversary ~ Hau`oli la Ho'omana'o (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-na-o) Happy Retirement ~ Hau`oli la Ho’omaha loa (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-ha low-a) Happy Sweet 16 ~ Hau`oli Momona 'Umi Kumaono (pronounced how-oh-lay mo-mo-na oo-me ku-ma-o-no)

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, Your welcome E komo mai ~ Welcome, come in 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 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

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 hui ~ staff, team, group 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 kupunawahine ~ grandmother, grandma 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

Hawaiian Expressions of 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 Ko`u Aloha ~ My Love Ku`u Lei ~ My beloved Ma'ane'i No Ke Aloha ~ For love is here and now Mahalo E Ke Akua No Keia La ~ Thanks be to God for this day Male 'ana ~ Wedding Male Ana E Pili Mai Aloha Kaua ~ We two will cling to love in marriage Mau Loa ~ Forever Mea Aloha ~ loved one Me Ke Aloha ~ With love Me Ke Aloha Pumehana ~ With the warmth of my love Nau ko`u aloha ~ My love is yours Na'u `oe ~ You're mine No Kau a Kau ~ For Eternity No Keia La, No Keia Po, A Mau Loa ~ From this day, from this night, forever more Nou No Ka `I`ini ~ I desire you 'O Ku'u Aloha No 'Oe ~ You are indeed my love Pa'ipunahele ~ An expression of love for a favorite Pilialoha ~ To be in a bond of love

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 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 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 ~ ckiss 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) 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 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 O 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 pomaika'i ~ good fortune/good luck 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 ua ~ rain ue ~ cry u`i ~ youthful looking, beautiful uku ~ pay ukulele ~ stringed instrument, small guitar W wa`a ~ canoe wai ~ water (not salt water) wikiwiki ~ quickly, fast wiwi ~ skinny

Sign up for the Virtual Aloha enewsletter which will bring you a monthly dose of Aloha sharing our latest Hawaii travel tips and activity reviews, suggestions to move to Hawaii, and Hawaiian theme celebration ideas!

Ask us anything Hawaii related, submit your questions! Limited Offer: All Virtual Aloha enewsletter subscribers receive a free ebook with over 7,500 first names translated into Hawaiian! A fun resource book for translating your name and especially handy when having a Hawaiian themed celebration.