top of page

Olelo: The Hawai'ian Language

Words commonly used throughout Hawai'i

From menus to bathroom signs, roadside signs to greetings, the Hawai'ian Language ('Olelo) is commonly used throughout Hawai'ia, and visitors will surely encounter it while visiting.  Here are a few words that are helpful for any visitor to know.

Aloha

Hello,

Goodbye,

I love you

Wahine

​

Women

Kupuna

​

Elder

 

Honu

​

Turtle

 

Mauka

Towards the Mountains

'Ono

 

Delicious

 

Kapu

Keep Out

or

Forbidden

Mahalo

 

Thank â€‹You

Kane

​

Men

Keiki

​

Child

 

Heiau

Sacred Hawai'ian Site

Makai

Towards the

Ocean

Grindz*

 

Food

 

Pau

Finish

or

Done

E Komo Mai

Welcome

or

Come In

Kama'aina

Local

or

Resident

'Ohana

​

Family

 

Hale

​House

or

Home

Pali

​

Cliff

 

Pupu

 

Appetizer

 

A Hui Hou

Until We Meet Again

* 'Ono is actually a Pidgin word, not Olelo, but it is used often, so we decided to include it into our list.

Learn and discover more about our piece of the world with our other LitLat Learning topics.

bottom of page