Talk like a Local

Talk Like a Local:

Many locals in  Hawaii speak a mixture of English, Hawaiian, and Pigeon English.

Wherever you go n Hawaii you will see examples of this. So rather than look our of place it is “mo bettah” to try to fit in and learn a few essential key words, then you will be “talkin da kine like one local, wiki wiki”.

Aina = land

Akamai = clever, smart

Alii = chief

Aloha = hello, goodbye, and love, respect.

Bumbai = later, presently

Chance Em = take a chance

Choke = a lot

Da Kine = that thing, the best

Grind = to eat

Hale = house, home

Haole = a foreigner, Caucasian

Honu = turtle

Howzit = how is it going?

Hula = Hawaiian dance

Kai = ocean

Kanaka maoli = Native Hawaiian

Kane = man

Kapu = forbidden, do not enter

Kau Kau = food

Keiki = child

Kokua = to help

Kuleana = responsibility

Lanai = porch

Lei = flower necklace

Lolo = crazy

Naia = Dolphin

Nalu = wave

No need = I do not need that, thanks

Mahalo = thank you

Mana = life force

Mano = shark

Manapua = pork bun                                               

Makai = to the ocean

Mauka = to the mountain

Mo Betta = more better than

Ohana = family

Okole = buttocks

Ono = delicious         

Opala = trash

Opu = tummy

Paniolo = cowboy

Pau = finished, done

Pau hana = work is done

Pilau = stinky, bad, rotten,

Plate Lunch = local style lunch; meat, rice, mac salad.

Poi = a paste made from taro (food)

Pupu = a snack

Tako = octopus

Uku = flea, head lice

Ukulele = Hawaiian stringed instrument

Wai = water

Wahine = woman

Wana =  sea urchin

Wiki wiki = fast, quickly