Category: Hawaiian

[print-me do_not_print=”.emoji”]NOTE: If you don’t understand some of my words, please read our post: How to Speak Hawaiian which will tell you what many of my words mean! Mahalo.

KOKE’E
Koke’e is an area on the top of Mt. Waialeale (which is the extinct volcano that made my home island Kaua’i). From Kekaha (my home town) you take Koke’e Road and drive about 45 minutes to the top.
No matter what’s happening down below, the weather changes quickly up here so be prepared and take a jacket as it is usually misty and cool and can even get cold (remember, you’re on the top of volcano where it rains about an inch a day, every day of the year).
Along the scenic drive you’ll stop by lookout areas and look down with birds eye views into Waimea Canyon (the grand canyon of the pacific, 10 miles long and 3,000 feet deep). You may also see wild Liliko’i vines (passionfruit) and the Mokihana bush with very fragrant but bitter green berries which we use to make Lei’s. It is very popular to put in a Lei but it is very hard to find in the jungle so watch carefully.

If you’re very lucky you may even see a very reclusive Hawaiian bird, the Hawaiian pheasant. They sneak around in the jungle and sometimes you’ll see them run across the road or perhaps standing on the side of the road eating seeds and bugs.

At the top you’ll arrive at a the visitors center and park which is a beautiful place with a large meadow big enough for a couple of football games played simultaneously. There is a lodge/visitor center/natural history museum and plenty of room for the biggest gathering. Of course there are island chickens everywhere.

You might even see Nēnē (small Hawaiian geese that look similar to miniature Canada geese) flying by or wandering around in the meadow and park.

If you’re there in October, don’t miss the Hawaiian celebration for Queen Emma of Hawaii.

The park is used for recreation, camping, hiking and hunting.

THE KALALAU VALLEY LOOKOUT
From the visitors center, take the 5 minute drive to the top where you’ll arrive at the Kalalau valley lookout. Here you can look over the Nā Pali Coast which is a huge mountain range on the northwest side of the island. Many movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Water World were filmed here.

HIKING IN THE PARK
There are SEVEN major hiking trails in Koke’e State Park.
Along these trails you’ll see spectacular views of the ocean, Waimea Canyon, lush jungle forest, and you see the most beautiful flowers, flowering trees and bushes and all of the unbelievably colorful Hawaiian birds.

You may even see wild boar rooting around and tearing up the jungle but WARNING. They are ferocious and can hurt you, even kill you. They are usually afraid of people because the men on my island hunt them, but if you see on, keep your eyes on it and back away. When I was young my uncles would go hunting pigs and goats up there (yes there are wild goats all over the mountains there too) and come home with some very big and mean looking boars. Then my tutu and us girls would prepare them and the men would put them in the imu and later we’d have kalua pork… and they weren’t so scary after that. YUM!

**Things to bring**
* Water (there is no water along the trails)
* Sunscreen (avoid the scorching sun if the day is clear)
* First-Aid (you never know what’s going to happen)
* A Jacket (keep warm if the day is misty or rainy)
* Hiking snacks (just in case)
* Appropriate Hiking Footwear (the trails can be murder on your feet)

TRAILS
* Alakai Swamp.
Since this area gets over 350 inches of rain per year, this is a huge swamp on the top of the volcano. When you hike it be sure to wear the appropriate clothing and take Bug Repellent because the mosquitoes know exactly where you are.

* Awaʻawapuhi Trail
(3.1 miles long One-Way, you gotta hike back so its 6.2 miles total)
This is a beautiful trail through the forest across the top of the mountain. There are occasional vista points where you can look down at the ocean. It is an easy hike for the first part because it’s all downhill, which makes the Pau Hana part even harder because it’s all up hill to go home. This trail connects to the Nu’alolo trail about 3 miles down but beware. If you take this trail your total hike will be about 9 miles long with only what you carry so this is not a novice day hike, you’d better be in shape. There is no water or facilities along this path.

* Kawaikoi Stream Trail
(about 1 3/4 miles long)
The State of Hawai’i says this is the most scenic mountain stream side trail in Hawai’i.
Since it is only 1 3/4 miles long, it is a relatively easy day hike. The stream and jungle are breath taking and the birds and flowers are gorgeous.
It is upstream from “Sugi Grove” and the trail starts about 3/4 of a mile past the Forest Reserve entrance sign on the Mohihi-Camp 10 Road. There are no facilities on this trail.

* Nuʻalolo Cliffs Trail
(a little more than 2 miles long)
This trail is sometimes closed due to dangerous conditions.
About 3 miles down the Awaʻawapuhi Trail you’ll find the entrance to this trail and it meets the main Nuʻalolo Trail between the 3 mile and 3 1/4 mile markers. This trail follows the upper rim of the dangerously steep Nuʻalolo Valley and lets you make a “loop” from the head of Awa’awapuhi Trail back to Koke’e State Park Headquarters.

* Nuʻalolo Trail
(3.8 miles One-Way, so hiking back makes it just under 9 miles)
The trail starts near the Kokee State Park Headquarters and goes through the Ku’ia Natural Area Reserve before reaching the forest reserve. The trail climbs up to 2,234 ft. elevation and ends at a U.S.G.S. survey marker titled “Lolo No. 2”. This trail is an used as an alternate route to the cross over of the Nuʻalolo Cliff Trail to Awa’awapuhi Trail and heavily used by hunters. The end of this trail can be very DANGEROUS so stay inside the safety railings. The steep drop over the cliff to the valley below is about 2,000.

* Pihea Trail
(3.8 miles One-Way so it’s just under 9 miles round trip)
You start this trail at the Puu O Kila Lookout which is at the end of Highway 550. This is a recommended forest reserve trail for scenic views. You’ll see Kauai’s native forest birds and a brief sampling the Alaka’i Wilderness’ terrain and vegetation. This trail is used as an alternate route to the Alaka’i Swamp Trail, which intersects the Pihea Trail just before 1 3/4 mile point. There is a short spur that ends at the Pihea Overlook, the highest point on the rim of Kalalau Valley. Be CAREFUL here. This borders the Alaka’i swamp and wilderness, it is often rainy and muddy. Camping here is by permit only.

* Poomau Canyon Lookout Trail
(.3 miles long)
This short trail starts 1.5 mile beyond the Forest Reserve entrance sign on the Mohihi-Camp 10 Road and leads to a overlook viewing area of Poomau and Waimea Canyons.
It can be closed for dangerous conditions or when maintenance crews are working.

Hawaii, (like many other areas of the world) has many languages and dialects spoken in its borders, but only TWO are “Official Hawaiian Languages”. It is the only US State with Two official languages and many would argue that it is actually THREE.  They are Native Hawaiian, English and the third and very prominent is HCE Pidgin
(to understand HCE pidgin, click here to read the page on what is a pidgin)

When you visit one of the Hawaiian islands most kama’aina (local people) speak English, if not they probably speak Hawaiian Pidgin English (HCE).

NOTE: So when you do step off the plane or ship be observant.
Many of the people born and raised in Hawaii who have moved to the mainland may speak fairly normal English, but when they step onto their home dirt their pidgin will become their primary language again and if you haven’t been baptized in Hawaiian Pidgin already, you may not even recognize or understand them.

Okay, to speak like a Hawaiian you need to know a few words. If you’ve read our page on what is pidgin you’ll understand that pidgin is always evolving and new words can pop up as the speaker creates them so be on guard.
Also see: Colors in Hawaiian below.

Hawaiian & Hawaiian Pidgin to English

Hawaiian (underlined) & Hawaiian Pidgin in italics	English Translation
Ali’i (Ah-lee-ee)	King, Chief. Leader of the people.
Aloha (a-low-ha)	This is the most common salutation in Hawaii. It can mean Hello, Goodbye, Welcome or Farewell. It can also be a romantic greeting, affection or even just meaning Best Wishes. Feeling ALOHA is a general good feeling, peaceful and laid back.
Aloha Shirt	An island style pattern printed, flat bottom, button down, short sleeve shirt usually with a left pocket. Originally created in from kimono fabric in 1904 by Honolulu Japanese merchant Kōichirō Miyamoto. It is the largest textile export of the Hawaiian manufacturing industry.
Akamai (ah-kaw-my)	Someone who is really smart, wise or clever
Akala (ah-kaw-law)	Crater of the volcano
Akua (ah-koo-ah)	God, or Gods
All pau (all pow)	Finished, done, over, ended. Also see: Pau
Awa (ah-vah)	Milk fish. An olive green, very silvery and bony fish with a large pectoral fin found in the ocean and sometimes island ponds. They can grow to 5 to 6 feet but average 3 feet. They can live for 15 years and the big ones can weigh in at 14kg (30lbs). They are good to eat but very bony.
Aye ! usually yelled	Calling at someone. Used to get someone or somethings attention.
Aznuts	Crazy, nuts, out of your mind. As nuts or crazy as you can get.
Babooze	Filippino: Clown or Dummy
Bodda	To bother, bug, distract, annoy. Does it bother or annoy you? I’m good with that! Usage: Duz it “bodda” yu?  No “bodda” !
Boto Boto Boto	Derogatory term. Boto in Philippine Tagalog is big penis. Boto in Phillippine Cebuano is vagina. To me growing up in Hawaii, Boto Boto meant “Brown Noser” or “dick head”
Braddah	Brother, friend, pal
Brah	Slang for Brother, Bro. Friend or pal. All bro’s in Hawaii are brah’s.
Break	Refers to wave action
Brok’ da mout	Yummy, tasty, wonderful in the mouth, so wonderful that it broke my mouth
Bumbye	After a while or When I get around to it.
Kaleponi	California
Chance’em	Chance ‘Em To take a chance or as an encouragement to take the opportunity and do it.
Chicken Skeen	Goose bumps
Choke	Means many of something, a lot of something or a very large amount of something
Choke’kaw’s	Heavy traffic. Many cars.
Da	the
Da’kine	A description of a item or a thing. Literal translation: the kind
Dat Das	That That is
Daw’nt	Don’t
Durty lickins	A heavy spanking, slapping or beating.
Er’re-ding	Everything. All of it.
Eh !	Used before or after a statement or question to confirm…. You Know! or used as HUH?
Fada	Father, pop, dad
Fo’eva	Forever
Fo’real	REALLY? Are You Serious?
Fo’shua	Response to Fo’real. Absolutely! Yes! Affirmative! For Sure!
Geev’em	Give it to them. Let them or it have it. If you’re out fishing and you catch a big one and your struggling to get it in the boat, the deck hands may yell “Geev’em Brah” or give it hell brother.
Geev’me	Give it to me
Girlfren	Girl friend
Grine	Not a commonly used word in all areas. To eat. No, to really eat. To eat like you’ll never eat again. To eat like there’s no tomorrow.
Hawd’rub	A hard or bad time
Hawd’dime	As, I’m having a Hard Time doing this. This is really hard.
Hale (haw-lay)	House, home, shack or building. By its self it simply means House. It is usually combined with other words to specify a particular house, home, shack or building. A famous Hale is Haleakala (haa-lae-a-ka-la) which is a name of the East Maui volcano and means house of the sun even though the solo word akala means crater.
Hailepo (haaye-lay-poe)	Hawaiian name for the Spotted Eagle Ray, a 6′ long ocean ray with white bottom and black top and long tail.
Haole (Howlee)	1-Foreigner, sometimes it is used as a slang word for white or white foreigners. 2- Not Hawaiian
Hapa	Half
Hapa Haole	Derogatory to mixed breed Hawaiian/Anglo Meaning: Half white or Half foreigner
Hau`oli (How’olee)	Happy, fun, joy
Hau`oli la Hanau (How’olee la hanow)	Happy Birthday
Hau`oli la Ho’omaha loa (How’olee  la hoe’ ohmaha low-a)	Happy Retirement
Hau`oli la Ho’omana o (How’olee  la hoe’ oh-mana oh)	Happy Anniversary
Hau`oli hanakuha	Happy Hanakuha
Hau`oli Makahiki Hou (How’olee Ma-ka-hee-kee How)	Happy New Year
HAUNA PILAU	It smells so-o-o bad, it is indescribably bad. Pilau is Turkish for bad smell, but this was probably borrowed from the Tagalog “Pilaw” since there were few to no Turkish workers on the island plantations as HCE was developing.
Haupia	Coconut pudding (yummy, very yummy)
Hawaiian Time	Always LATE! Islanders will refer to two time zones. What time the event is set for and the Hawaiian Time of the event.
Hele (hey-lay)	Go, move, travel
Hele mai (hey-lay my)	Come here or Come this way
Hinuhinu (he-new he-new)	Shiny
Hoe’brah	An intense expression to describe something exciting, intense or amazing. Usage: Hoe’brah… ma fada jus catch da big kahuna of shawks yesdadae.
Holoholo (ho lo ho lo)	Literal: To go out for a walk, sail, ride, etc. To go out for pleasure (shopping, riding, sailing, anything for pleasure). Basically any adventure to clear your head and have fun.
Hono (hoe-no)	Harbor, bay, port. Usage: Hono is da place fo ships.
Honu (hoe-new)	Giant Green Sea Turtle. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, known as “Honu,” symbolizes good luck, endurance and long life. Turtles can show up as a person’s guardian spirit, known as “Aumakua.” Turtles can always navigate to home
Howzit	This is the informal way of greeting a local Hawaiian versus the formal Aloha. Usage: Howzit goin’ brah?
Hui	Hello, anybody home.
Hula (Hoo-law)	A traditional Hawaiian dance with body, arm and hand gestures and with chants (oli) and song (mele) to rhythm drums and other instruments to describe a story of island life and culture. The hula is done by women (wahini) and men (kane).
Huli Huli (hoo-lee hoo-lee)	To rotate, flip over or turn often as in a rotisserie. The most common use is Huli Huli Chicken.
Humuhumu Nukunuku Apua’a	(HooMooHooMoo NuKooNuKoo A poo wah a) Means Trigger fish with nose like a pig. This is the name of two species of trigger fish in Hawaiian waters. A very colorful and beautiful rectangular trigger fish which is The STATE FISH and the lagoon trigger fish or blackbar trigger fish.
Imu (ee-moo)	Means: An underground oven Also see: Kālua
Jalike	Would you like to…? Usage: Jalike go moovee? Would you like to go to the movie?
Junk	Lousy, rotten, not good Usage: Aye da junk you guys! Ah, that’s rotten you guys!
K’den	Okay then, I agree.
Kahuna (Ka-hoo-nah)	A Hawaiian Shaman or Priest. Someone important or the person in charge. Usage: Who he? He Da big Kahuna!
Kala (kaw-law)	Name of the Blue Spined Unicorn fish.
Kalo (kaw-low)	Taro plant It is written in the Kumulipo (an ancient Hawaiian genealogical chant) that Kualoa (on Oahu) is where Papa and Wakea (the ancient chief and his bride) buried their first still born child, Haloa. It is said that the first kalo plant grew up from where Haloa was buried at Kualoa which is now a movie, TV set and popular tourist destination.
Kālua (kah-loo-ah)	Means: To cook in an underground oven (Imu). Also see: Imu The name Kālua transfers to what was cooked: Kālua Pig, Kālua Turkey, Kālua Chicken, etc.
Kama’aina (kaw-ma-eye-nah)	Literal: Child of the land Used as: Local people
Kanaka (kaw-naw-ka)	1- Slang: Canada 2- Hawaiian: Literally means “Man” or tough man, but its a national brotherhood title. A non Polynesian calling a Polynesian kanaka will be challenged to a fight. Usage: Eh brah das one kanaka right der
Kanaka Maoli	Means: The True People The Kanaka Maoil Flag,  considered by many in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement to be The true flag of Hawaii
Kane (kaw-nay)	Man or men. On a door it means Men’s Room
Kapu (kaw-poo)	Forbidden, keep out, taboo, don’t touch, guarded
Keiki (kaye-kee)	Children, Child or kids
Kihikihi (kee-he-kee-he)	1- A Moorish idol which is a beautiful tropical reef fish that looks like a beautiful angel fish. 2- Maori it is a cicada bug.
Kilim	Kill ’em Usage: We gonna Kilium dat pua’a fo da imu.  Engligh: We’re going to kill the pig for the pit.
Kōkua (co-koowa)	Help, pitching in together, assistance. Usage: We need your kokua. Please don’t litter.
Kolohe (co-low-hey)	Rascal, scoundrel, mischievous, mischief maker
Kukai	Slang: Da’kine stuff birds leave on da car or dogs leave on da grass.
Kuku Kane (koo-koo wah-he-nay)	Grandfather Also used: Tutu Kane or papa
Kuku Wahine (koo-koo wah-he-nay)	Grandmother Also used: Tutu Wahine or Tutu
Lāna’i (Law-naw’-ee)	This is the 4th of the 8 major Hawaiian Islands known as the Pineapple Isle. It also means porch, patio or balcony.
Lau Lau	Imu cooked, Tea leaf wrapped, then taro leaf wrapped steamed butter fish with pork or beef.
Lei (Lay)	A garland or wreath. A series of items strung together with the intent to be worn usually around the neck or shoulders. Can also informally mean sweetheart or children.
Lesgo	Lesgo grine da’kine poi ovadare by da wada Let’s go eat poi over there by the water
Like beef?	You like beef? Do you want to fight?
Local or Island Style	The way we do it in the islands. Kick back, relax, no worries.
Lolo	Crazy, stupid, dumb Anything dumb thing, can be lolo
Lolo bugga	A crazy or stupid or dumb person. Usage: Das one lolo bugga, brah!
Lua (Loo-ah)	The head, the can, the bathroom
Luau (Loo-owe)	A traditional Hawaiian party-feast usually with entertainment with food like: kalua pig, poi, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia and pu pu’s.
Luna	High, top, above, up, over as in above. Slang: Boss Man.
Maki Die Dead	Maki means dead. Maki Die Dead is extremely dead, real dead. Nevacombing bak dead.
Mahalo (Ma-haw-low)	Thank You
Mahalo Nui Loa (Ma-haw-low New-ee low-ah)	Thank You Very Much
Mahu (ma-hoo)	The old Hawaiian term for people who embody both male and female spirit. Today meaning homosexual.
Makai (Maak-eye)	Toward the sea, or the same side as the sea. Usually used when giving directions or describing an event. Usage: Makai side of the road. Also see: Mauka.
Makuahine (ma-koo-a-he-nay)	Mom, mother
Makuakāne (ma-koo-a-ka-nay)	Dad, father
Malasada	Portugese: Donut (very yummy!)
Malihini (Ma-lee-hee-nee)	Newcomer, stranger, tourist, novice, one unaccustomed to hardship.
Mano (Ma-no)	Shark
Mauka (Mah-oo-ka)	Toward the mountain(s) or on the same side as the mountain(s). Usually used when giving directions or describing an event. Usage: Mauka side of the road. Also see: Makai
Mauna (Mah-oo-nah)	Mountain. Usually used with other words to describe a particular mountain.
Mauna Kea (Mah-oo-nah Kay-ah)	White Mountain
Mauna Loa (Mah-oo-nah Low-ah)	Long Mountain (The active volcano on the big island “Hawai’i”, the largest volcano on earth).
Mele	Musical Vocal, to sing, a song
Mo’betta	More than better, real good, best. Usage: mo shimp is mo’betta.
Moa	More Usage: Mahalo, Geev’me moa shrimp
Moke	Moke is a derogatory word that comes from British slang meaning big donkey. In Hawaiian it means a large, dumb, tough guy.
Moi Moi (Moa-e moa-e)	Sleep
MuuMuu (moo moo)	Aka: MuMu. A long loose dress of Hawaiian origin like the Aloha Shirt. Usually patterned in bright floral designs.
Nai’a	Spinner Dolphin
No’act	Stop acting up, putting on an act, showing off. Usage: No’act, brah!
No’feah	No fair
No’mo	No more
Nui	v. Great, Big, Abundant n. Plenty, a lot, a group of Usage: Nui ‘Ohana=Great or Big Family
‘Ohana (oh-han-a)	Family. The Ava Family would be the Ava ‘Ohana. Many homes have an ‘Ohana sign out front.
Okole (oh-co-lay)	Buttox or butt.
Oli (oh-lee)	To chant
Ono (oh-no)	1- A tasty white meat fish from the ocean. 2- Delicious or tasty when describing food. Ono Ono means really delicious or really tasty.
Ono’liscious	Ultra, way and overly delicious.
Opihi (oh-pee-he)	A Hawaiian shell fish known as the most deadly seafood delicacy. No it’s not poisonous, it lives on rocks in torrent wave thrashed ocean cliffs and many opihi pickers have been killed trying to harvest this food. Pound for pound it is the most expensive pupu in Hawaii.
Papa	Grandpa
Pali (Pah-lee)	Cliff
Pau (pow)	Finished, done, over, ended. Usage: All Pau? Are you finished?
Pau Hana (pow haw-nah)	Work day is over. Literal: Finished Home, or Work is done, time go home.
Pakalolo (pah-kaw-low-low)	Smoke that make you crazy. Crazy Smoke. Maui-Wowie, Marijuana, Weed, Grass, Dope.
Pele (pay-lay)	Goddess of Fire. The long lava rivers are her long hair.
Planni	Plenty
Poi (Poe-ee)	A starchy Hawaiian staple food made by pounding the cooked taro root into a thick, sticky, gooey, dough like purple paste.
Pua’a (poo-ah’ ah)	Pig
Puhi (poo-he)	Name for Hawaiian Moray eels
Puka (poo-ka)	A hole in something of any size. Sometimes the item with a hole gets the name puka like: Puka Shell Necklace.
Pu Pu (poo-poo)	Appetizer. Asian or traditional Hawaiian meats and seafood in appetizer portions. Usage: Mahalo, pass da pupu
Shaka	1- A hand sign made by holding all fingers down with thumb and pinky finger sticking out and holding it up, shaking it or twisting it in the air. Also known as the “Hang Loose” sign. 2- Great, cool, good job, having fun, happy, etc.
Sista	Sister
Shishi (she she)	Hawaiian Pidgin: To Pee. Usage: I gotta go shishi. Weaah da bafroom? Origin: Probably borrowed from the Portugese xixi Note: in Japanese it means: Men of high purpose
Slippas	Those tings on da feet. A term to mean the most comfortable Flipflops or the easy come easy go slippas you leave by the door in a pile, like the cheap ones from little corner store.
Stinkface	The nasty look you give someone when you’re displeased with them. Usage: Daw’nt geev’me stinkface, brah.
Stinkeye	Same as stinkface only more glaring look
Ta’ape (tah’-ah-pay)	Blue stripped snapper fish
Tako (Taco)	Octopus
Talk Stink	Mean, telling bad things about someone or something.
Talk Story	Friendly chatting or talking with another person.
Trymove	Move, get out of my way. Usage: Trymove away, brah.
Tutu	Shortened version of Kuku used for grandparents
Uhu (oo-hoo)	Parrot fish that eats coral and poops sand. Each fish poops about 1 ton of sand a year.
Uku (oo-koo)	Grey snapper that live in deeper water on the reef and average 3 feet long.
Ukulele (oo-koo-lay-lay)	A small 4 to 8 string guitar style instrument.
Ulua (oo-loo-ah)	Hawaiian name for Jack and Giant Trevally fish found in Hawaiian waters.
Waha	Mouth, meaning: All talk no doey.
Wahine (wah-he-nay)	A Polynesian Woman or wife, or female surfer. On a door it means Lady’s Room
Weaah is	Where is
Watdoing?	What are you doing?
Wi’go	Let’s get going.
Wiki (we-key)	Fast, Quick, in a hurry Wiki Wiki means very fast, move quickly, lets go quickly.
For the complete list of all of the written true Hawaiian words click here and visit Hawaiian-Words.com

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Hawaiian Colors

COLOR	Hawaiian
BLACK	‘Ele’Ele
BLUE	Polu
BROWN	Palaunu
GRAY	‘Ahinahina
GREEN	‘Oma’Oma’o
ORANGE	‘Alani
PINK	‘Akala
PURPLE	Poni
RED	‘Ula’Ula
WHITE	Ke’oke’o
YELLOW	Melemele

[print-me do_not_print=”.emoji”]A Pidgin Language Background
Pidg·in   /ˈpijən/ noun

by Brad “Palaka” Wardle

You may ask;
What is Pidgin? or Why speak Pidgin? or even How did Pidgin come to be?

Let me answer that as quickly and simply as possible.

If you try to read all of the thoughts and suppositions of the linguists, it may take you a semester of study. I’ll break it down for you as quickly and simply as possible.