17 Words And Phrases Only People From Hawaii Will Understand

The Hawaiian Islands are unique in more ways than anyone can count – and that includes our language, vocabulary, and local diction. While most people from Hawaii don’t have an accent, per se, there are a variety of words and phrases from the Hawaiian language that are still frequently used today, and that might leave visitors a little confused, to say the least. Last year, we featured 15 words you’ll only understand if you live in Hawaii, and today, we’re back with 17 more.

1. Howzit essentially means, "what's up" or "how's it going?"

Lonnie Dunkin III/Flickr

2. Wahine + Kane, the Hawaiian words for women and men, are often used in bathroom signs throughout the islands.

Istolethetv/Flickr

3. It is of utmost importance to respect the aina, or land.

Jeremy Nicoll/Flickr

4. Directly translating to "after work," pau hana is a celebration of the end of the workday.

K Hardy/Flickr

5. Though officially meaning "adopted or foster sibling," the term hanai is most commonly used to describe those people in our lives we consider family, even if we're not blood-related.

Jeff Slinker/Flickr

6. Our state fish is a reef triggerfish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a.

Larrymac/Flickr

7. Hawaiian legend has it that the Menehune are a small dwarf-like species, similar to pixies or trolls, that hide deep in Hawaii’s forests and valleys, and are thought to be master builders.

Sam Howzit/Flickr

8. A hale is a house in Hawaiian and is commonly seen in reference to government buildings, like Honolulu Hale.

Cliff/Flickr

9. Kokua directly translates to "help" or "to give aid," but it is most commonly used as a way to describe helping each other out.

Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr

10. Pupus are snacks or appetizers.

wyteone/Flickr

11. Anything labeled as Kapu is forbidden or taboo. Essentially, a no trespassing sign.

Peter Liu Photography/Flickr

12. Holohholo directly translates to going out for a walk, ride, or sail for fun.

Robert Occhialini/Flickr

13. Windward refers to the land upwind, and leeward is the downwind area, often used to describe different sides of the same island.

Melfoody/Flickr

14. Lilikoi is Hawaiian passion fruit.

Matt Kowalczyk/Flickr

15. A heiau is a pre-Christian shrine, temple, or place of worship.

Ed Suominen/Flickr

16. Often seen as a placeholder word with no true definition, da kine is often used as the English equivalent to whatchamacallit.

Tara Severns/Flickr

17. A hui hou translates to "until we meet again," and is a lot better than simply saying goodbye.

Waifer X/Flickr

How many of these phrases are you familiar with? Which ones do you use the most in your daily life? Sound off in the comments below, then to discover more content about the Hawaiian language, check out these 15 words and phrases people from Hawaii simply don’t understand.