ʻĀina (AH-ee-nah)

Land, earth. More than just property, ʻāina represents a sacred connection between people and the land that sustains them.

Aliʻi (ah-LEE-ee)

Chief, royalty. The ruling class in ancient Hawaiian society, descended from the gods.

Aloha (ah-LOH-ha)

Hello, goodbye, love, compassion. A word that encompasses the spirit of hospitality, kindness, and deep affection that defines Hawaiian culture.

Haleakalā (hah-leh-ah-kah-LAH)

"House of the Sun." The massive volcanic crater on Maui, over 10,000 feet high, considered a sacred site.

Haole (HOW-leh)

Foreigner, originally meaning "without breath." Commonly used to refer to white people or mainlanders, though context determines whether it's neutral or derogatory.

Hā (hah)

Breath, life force.

Ho’oponopono (HO-oh-PO-no-PO-no)
An ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness that translates to “to make right” or “correct a mistake”. It is a process designed to release negative memories, restore balance, and heal relationships by taking full responsibility for one’s thoughts and actions. 

Kahuna (Kah-hoo-nah)
An expert practitioner (navigator, doctor, builder, or spiritual leader. Translates directly to “keeper of secrets”.

Kālua (kah-LOO-ah)

A traditional Hawaiian cooking method where food (usually pork) is slow-cooked in an underground oven called an imu.

Kānaka (KAH-nah-kah)

Person, human being. Often used to refer to Native Hawaiians (Kānaka Maoli).

Kāu (kah-OO)

Yours (belonging to you).

Kapu (KAH-poo)
Sacred or forbidden.

Keiki (KAY-kee)

Child, children. A term of endearment used widely in the islands.

Koa (KO-ah)

A native Hawaiian tree prized for its beautiful hardwood; also means warrior or brave.

Kumu (KOO-moo)
Teacher, coach, or guide. The word literally translates to “source of knowledge” or “foundation”.

Lānai (lah-NAH-ee)

Porch, veranda, balcony. An essential feature of Hawaiian homes where families gather.

Lānaʻi (lah-NAH-ee)

The island of Lānaʻi, the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands (note the ʻokina).

Luau (loo-OW)

A Hawaiian feast, traditionally celebrating special occasions with food, music, and dance.

Mahalo (mah-HAH-lo)

Thank you. An expression of gratitude and appreciation.

ʻOhana (oh-HAH-nah)

Family, including extended family and close friends. In Hawaiian culture, ʻohana extends beyond blood relations to encompass the entire community.

Palekeiki (pah-leh-kay-kee)
Midwife or the act of delivering a child.

Pau (pow, rhymes with "now")

Finished, done, ended. "We're pau" means "We're done."

Poke (POH-keh)

A traditional Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish (usually ʻahi tuna) seasoned with salt, seaweed, and other ingredients.

Pono (POH-no)

Righteousness, balance, harmony. Living in the right way, being in proper relationship with others and the land.

Tutu (TOO-too)

Grandmother. A term of respect and affection for grandparents or any elder.

Zhōngqiū Jié
The Mid-Autumn Festival or the Moon / Mooncake Festival, is a harvest festival celebrated in Chinese culture.

Kauaʻi (kow-AH-ee)

The oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, known as the "Garden Isle".

Kahoʻolawe (kah-hoh-oh-LAH-way)

The smallest of the eight main Hawaiian Island, located 7 miles southwest of Maui. This sacred island includes more than 3,000 archaeological sites, and was used as target practice for the United States Military for more than 50 years. 

Maui (MOW-ee)

The second-largest Hawaiian island, known for its beaches, Haleakalā, and as the setting for much of this novel.

Molokaʻi (moh-loh-KAH-ee)

An island between Oʻahu and Maui, known for its rural character and deep Hawaiian culture.

Oʻahu (oh-AH-hoo)

The third-largest island, home to Honolulu and the state capital.

Grinds

Food, especially good food. "Let's get some grinds" means "Let's get something to eat."

Shoots

Okay, sounds good, sure. A casual affirmation used throughout the islands.

Talk story

To chat, have a conversation, share stories. An essential part of island culture where people connect through storytelling.

Uncle/Aunty

Terms of respect for any adult elder in the community, whether related by blood or not. Reflects the communal, ʻohana-based culture of Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiian uses two special characters:

ʻOkina (ʻ): A glottal stop that functions as a consonant, similar to the sound between the syllables in "uh-oh."

Kahakō (macron): A line over a vowel (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū) that indicates the vowel should be stressed and held slightly longer.

These marks are important for proper pronunciation and meaning. For example, "Lānai" (the island) is different from "lānai" (a porch).

The Hawaiian language was banned from schools in 1896 following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It wasn't until the 1970s that a Hawaiian cultural renaissance began reviving the language. Today, Hawaiian is an official language of the state of Hawaiʻi alongside English, though it remains endangered with fewer than 30,000 speakers.

The local pidgin was developed on the plantations where workers from many countries (Japan, China, Portugal, the Philippines, Puerto Rico) needed to communicate with each other and with English-speaking bosses. It blends elements from all these languages and remains a living part of local culture.