Basic Family Words in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

Here are some great words and short expressions you can use with your family and friends.

by Kaliko and Leiloke

all of us
kākou
are you okay?
maikaʻi ʻoe?
ball
pōpō, kinipōpō
bathe
(e) ʻauʻau
be nice; please
e ʻoluʻolu
calm, calm down
mālie
“can do”, “fine”, “okay”
«hiki nō!»
car
kaʻa
cat
pōpoki
catch something
hopu
chicken
moa
clap hands
paʻipaʻi lima
cockroach
ʻelelū
cold (temperature)
huʻihuʻi
cold (the feeling)
anuanu
come here; come!
hele mai; mai!
delicious
ʻono
dog
ʻīlio
don’t do that!
mai hana pēlā!
don’t hit (w/hands)
mai paʻi!
don’t hit (w/something)
mai hili!
don’t touch it!
mai hoʻopā!
duck
kakā; koloa
eat together; a party
pāʻina
favorite
punahele
feeling hurt, in pain
ʻeha
food
meaʻai
give it to me
(e) hāʻawi mai
good
maikaʻi
good morning
aloha kakahiaka
got it!
loaʻa! («loʻa!» for short)
hand or arm
lima
Hi [name]
Aloha e [name]
hold hands
paʻa lima
hot
wela
how?
pehea?
how are you?
pehea ʻoe?
hurry up!
ʻāwīwī!
it’s me, me
ʻo au
it’s mine
naʻu
it’s you, you
ʻo ʻoe
it’s yours
nāu
leave it
(e) waiho!
let’s all eat!
(e) ʻai kākou!
let’s pray
(e) pule kākou
lizard, gecko
moʻo
milk
waiū
moon
mahina
no
ʻaʻole
no problem
ʻaʻole pilikia
none
ʻaʻohe
pig
puaʻa
play
pāʻani
rain
ua
ready; capable
mākaukau
roll sth to me i.e., ball
(e) hoʻokaʻa mai
sit; a chair
noho
sit down
(e) noho; noho i lalo
stand; stop
(e) kū; kū i luna
thank you
mahalo
throw sth up in the air
(e) hoʻolele
understood
maopopo
very good
maikaʻi loa
very pretty
nani loa
wait
(e) kali
walk carefully
(e) akahele
wash with soap
(e) holoi me ke kopa
watch out!
(e) makaʻala!
water
wai
you and I
kāua

ʻŌlelo Online Virtual Classroom · kumu Kaliko Beamer-Trapp · Sheet revision 5 (February 2025)

Published on 2026-10-21 — Last updated on 2026-10-21
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