The Hawaiian word for beautiful would be nani.Here are some basic hawaiian words that most locals know.A Hui Hou – Until we meet again Kane – man ‘Aina – land Kahuna – priest, minister or expert any any profession Ali’i – royalty Kapuna – grandparent, elder, respected older person Aloha – hello, goodbye, love Keiki – child Aloha nui loa – with very much love Kokua – help E Komo Mai – welcome Kumu – teacher Hale – house Mahalo – thank you Hana – work Makua- parent Hana Hou – encore, do it again, repeat, once more Malihini – stranger, tourist, foreigner Haole – white person,Caucasian Mele Kalikimaka – Merry Christmas Hapa – mixed race No Ka Oi – the best, none better Hau’oli Makahiki – Happy New Year O’hana – family Hau’oli La Hanau – Happy Birthday Ono – delicious Honu – sea turtle Pau – done, finished, over with Lana’i – porch, patio or balcony Pau Hana – end of the work day, work is done, happy hour Lei – necklace made of flowers, leaves, nuts and/or shells, used in welcoming or honoring people Pupus – hor d’oevres, appetizers Lokahi -unity Tutu – grandparent Luau – Hawaiian feast, party Wahine – woman Kai – the sea Wikiwiki – speedy, quick Kama’aina – (of the land) born & raised in Hawaii, having lived here a long time, a Hawaii resident HAWAIIAN GEOGRAPHYMany of these words are used as (or as parts of) place names, street names, housing developments, etc. Learn these and you will always know where you are going!Aku – directional, away (from me)Akau – NorthAwaawa – valley‘Aina – the earth or land (that feeds)Ala – road or path, often used in street names, such as “Ala Moana” Caldera – A geographic feature formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption (actually, not a Hawaiian word, comes from a Spanish word)Ewa – used as a direction, to the West or Leeward side of the island of Oahu (i.e., toward Ewa Beach)Haku’aina – landlord, landownerHalau – school, meeting houseHale – house or buildingHanauma – curved bayHawai’i – the 50th State of the US, comprised of a chain of 7 islands; also, the largest island of the Hawaiian island chain, also known as “the Big Island”Helu – numberHema – SouthHikina – EastHonolulu – the capital of and most populated city in the State of Hawaii, located on the island of OahuIki – smallKahakai – beachKahawai – streamKai – seaKailua (Town) – city on Oahu, meaning “two seas,” not to be confused with Kailua-Kona, the city named Kailua in the Kona region of the Big Island (Hawai’i).Kama’aina – local person, native, resident of Hawai’iKaua’i – The Eastern-most island of the Hawaiian island chain, known as the Garden IsleKoko – used as a direction, to the East or Windward side of the island of Oahu (i.e., toward the Kokohead Crater)Komohana – WestKona – LeewardKo’olau – Windward, the name of shield volcano that formed the Ko’olau Mountain Range on O’ahuLani – heavenLanikai – heavenly seasLana’i – porch, balcony or veranda – one of the Hawaiian IslandsLua – restroom; craterLumi kuke – kitchenMakai – toward the seaMakani – windMauka – toward the mountainsMalahini – visitor, tourist, foreignerMauna – mountainMoana – oceanMoku – islandNani – beautifulNui – big or large‘Ohana – a separate living unit, attached to or on the property of another home, usually for extended family.O’ahu – the State of Hawaii’s most populated island, known as the Gathering Place, second from the left in the Hawaiian island chainPa’a’aina – landholderPali – cliff or cliffsPohaku – rockPu’u – hillWai – fresh water, riverWai’ele – waterfallWakea – skyUa – Rain...
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