24 Hawaiian phrases and words to know before you go

Hawaiian is a melodic language that rises and falls like the tides surrounding this multi-island paradise—and just like the stunning Hawaiian landscapes, people have had to work hard to preserve it. UNESCO has listed the language as critically endangered, but the United Nations and the local community are working diligently to bring it back. Along with English, Hawaiian is one of the two official languages of Hawaii, despite it having only a few thousand native speakers. Many locals also speak Pidgin English, a Creole language developed in the 19th century on Hawaii’s sugar plantations, which became a melting pot of different linguistic backgrounds. You don’t need to learn Hawaiian to be able to communicate when you visit the islands on one of our Hawaii tours, but it helps to foster a deeper understanding of the culture and way of life. From giving directions to the nearest lū’au to ways to express the profound nuances of mahalo, these are some of our favorite Hawaiian phrases to know before you go.

7. Thank you: Mahalo

Aloha isn’t the only word in the Hawaiian language with a meaning that far surpasses its literal translation—another common one you might encounter is mahalo (pronounced: mah-HA-loh). The word mahalo, meaning thank you in Hawaiian, has a lot of contextual significance that goes beyond simple courtesy. It’s more than just a way to say thanks—it’s a type of blessing and an expression of deep gratitude and respect. The spirit of mahalo means embracing a heartfelt appreciation for the kindness, generosity, and interconnectedness of others.

8. Thank you very much: Mahalo nui loa

The word nui means big, great, or important in Hawaiian, and the phrase nui loa (pronounced: NOO-ee LOH-ah) is often used to intensify other Hawaiian words—for example, aloha nui loa roughly translates to much love. If you want to express extra gratitude, for example, when someone hands you a mai tai on the Honolulu Sunset Cruise & Dinner excursion on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour, you would say mahalo nui loa, meaning thank you very much.

9. You’re welcome: ‘A’ole pilikia

Continue the spirit of gratitude and grace that Hawaii is known for. When someone says mahalo or mahalo nui loa to you, you can respond with ‘a’ole pilikia (pronounced ah-oh-leh pee-lee-kee-yah), which means you’re welcome or no problem.

10. Excuse me: E kala mai

Many Hawaiian terms and phrases have multiple meanings, just like they do in English. E kala mai (pronounced eh kah-lah mye) is a phrase that can be used to mean excuse me, I’m sorry, or forgive me, similarly to how we would use the phrase pardon me in English. So, if you accidentally bump into someone when getting a closer look at Waimea Canyon on the Kauai extension of our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour, you can apologize with an e kala mai.

11. Toward the ocean: Makai

If you stop to ask for directions while exploring in Hawaii (perhaps to the nearest lū’au), there’s a chance you’ll hear the word makai (pronounced: mah-ka-ee), which means toward the ocean or oceanside. Because Hawaii is made up of a series of islands with winding roads and prominent coastline, it often makes more sense to tell someone “head toward the ocean” rather than “turn left on X road.” It’s just another example of how deeply rooted in nature Hawaiian culture is.

12. Toward the mountain: Mauka

There are a lot of things to do in Hawaii beyond the beach, and one of those things is to explore the many volcanoes dotting the landscape. No matter where you are in Hawaii, you’re guaranteed to be close to a dormant—or even active—volcano, so it makes sense that mauka (pronounced: mah-oh-kah) would be used as a direction to mean toward the mountain or inland. Head mauka on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour to peer into the Kilauea Caldera, Kona’s most active volcano, said to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire.

13. Temple or shrine: Heiau

A heiau (pronounced: HAY-au) is a sacred place of worship that predates Christianity in Hawaii. They can range in size and structure from small earthen shrines to large temples built from stone. They’re places where mana, or divine energy, is concentrated and transferred through worship. When you join our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour, you’ll enter the Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, one of the most sacred heiau in Hawaii.

14. Keep out: Kapu

If you stumble upon a sign reading kapu (pronounced: kaa-poo) while exploring the Hawaiian Islands, it’s best to turn back. The word means keep out or forbidden and is sometimes used to mark sites like sacred burial grounds or private property. The word originally referred to an ancient set of Hawaiian rules and regulations that governed everything from politics to religion and even gender roles.

15. Man and woman: Kāne and wahine

If you’re searching for a bathroom on your tour of Hawaii, you may come across the Hawaiian words kane (pronounced: KAH-neh), which means man, and wahine (pronounced: wah-HEE-neh), which means woman. They’re often printed on restroom doors.

16. Delicious: ‘Ono

The Hawaiian word ‘ono (pronounced: oh-no) means enjoyable, pleasing, or delicious and can be used to describe anything from the food on your plate to the stunning views you’ll see on the Honolulu Sunset Cruise & Dinner excursion on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour. Often, you’ll hear ‘ono paired with the Pidgin English term grinds or grindz (pronounced: grynds, just like the word for crushing something into a powder in English), a slang term for food not unlike chow or grub in English. Be on the lookout for some ‘ono grinds when you join us on one of our Hawaii tours.

17. Chocolate: kokoleka

Hawaii is the only place in the United States where cacao trees, the plants used to produce chocolate, are grown. You can learn about kokoleka (pronounced: koh-koh-LEH-ka), or chocolate, production when you join the Maui Chocolate Tour & Tasting excursion on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour. You’ll see how the cacao is grown and processed and enjoy a tasting of the finished product.

18. Raw seafood bowl: poke

One of Hawaii’s most iconic dishes, poke (pronounced: poh-keh), consists of raw, marinated chunks of fresh seafood served with vegetables, rice, and an assortment of delicious toppings, from seaweed to avocado to crushed macadamia nuts. It’s often served as an appetizer but also makes a tasty and refreshingly light lunch. “You can’t go to Hawaii and not eat poke,” said staffer Lindsay. “Pop into the nearest Foodland—a locally owned, family-run grocer that was founded in Honolulu in 1948 and now has locations on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island—and order scoops of spicy ahi poke and ahi poke with avocado to enjoy at the beach, on a park bench, or wherever you feel like enjoying this authentically Hawaiian snack.” For more tips on what to eat and drink on your Hawaii tour, check out our Hawaii Travel Guide.

19. Finished: Pau

The Hawaiian word pau (pronounced: pow), meaning finished, isn’t just reserved for eating, but you could say “I’m pau” after enjoying a feast of fresh seafood and local produce on your trip to Hawaii. You’ll also hear locals use the phrase pau hana (pronounced: pow HAH-na) to mean work is done, often in the context of pau hana specials in bars and restaurants where it’s used to mean happy hour. We can’t think of a better excuse to sample some of the excellent locally brewed beers you’ll find in Hawaii.

20. Feast, stew, and taro leaves: Lū’au

Chances are you’ve heard the word lū’au (pronounced: loo-au) to describe the iconic party known for traditional music, Hawaiian food, and, of course, hula dancing. Don’t worry—you haven’t been calling this joyful celebration of culture and togetherness by the wrong name. However, the party was named after one of the dishes often served at the feast, a fragrant stew, which was in turn named after one of its key ingredients, young taro leaves. So lū’au can be used to describe all three: the feast, the stew, and the edible leaves. Join us on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour to attend an authentic lū’au and taste some lū’au for yourself!

21. Love of the land: Aloha ʻaina

Admiring the natural wonders of Hawaii was on our list of New Year’s travel resolutions, but no one has as deep an appreciation of Hawaiian land as the native Hawaiians. The phrase aloha ʻāina (pronounced: ah-LOH-ha eye-na) is an almost spiritual cultural understanding that if you care for the earth, it will care for you. It literally translates to love of the land (ʻāina means “land” and often refers specifically to Hawaiian ancestral land). It’s a beautiful phrase that celebrates the harmony and interconnectedness of all living things.

22. Sea turtle: Honu

When you join our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour, you may see turtles sunbathing on the black sand shores of Punalu‘u Beach. The Hawaiian green sea turtle, called honu (pronounced: hoe-noo) in Hawaiian, is a symbol of good luck and wisdom. Many people see them as guardian spirits and guides. For a closer look at these graceful creatures, join our Kealakekua Catamaran Cruise & Snorkeling excursion for a chance to see them gliding through crystal-clear water. “Swimming with sea turtles off the resort beach in Maui was amazing,” said traveler Margaret after returning from the trip. The tour even made our list of the best snorkeling trips in the world.

23. Cliff, slope, or hill: Pali

The Hawaiian word for cliff or hill is pali (pronounced: paa-lee), and you’ll often see the word used in place names. For example, when you join us on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour, you’ll visit a resort town in Maui called Ka`anapali, which means “the divided hill.” You’ll also take in the panoramic views of Oahu from Nu‘uanu Pali, the hill where Kamehameha I fought to become the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

24. Ocean and water: Moana and wai

The Hawaiian word for ocean is moana (pronounced: mow-AH-nah; you might recognize it as the name of the popular Disney character). However, if you’re talking about freshwater, you’ll want to use the word wai (pronounced: wye). Just like pali, you’ll often see this word used in place names, such as Waianuenue Falls, which translates to rainbow water—a can’t-miss stop on our Hawaii: Oahu, the Big Island & Maui tour where the thundering falls’ mist creates dazzling rainbows.