Tour Guide

Hawaiian Slang You should Know Before Going There

Whenever you travel to Hawaii island, local Hawaiian slang is more noticeable than others. Hawaii is a beautiful mixture of different cultures.

In Hawaii, English and Hawaiin language are officially used. Yet, there is one more language that is used unofficially, which is spoken by many local people in daily discussion: Hawaii Pidgin English.

 Past of emigration and ethnic variety produced a mixture of languages. Everything from English, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean and Filipino merged with the local Hawaiian and nearby Polynesian languages to create a Hawaiian Creole or pidgin.

Hawaiian Slang & Words

Aloha (ah-LOW-hah)

Aloha is mostly used for hello and goodbye. It also has a different meaning when using alone or combined with another word. Aloha is the most favourite word use in Hawaii.

Da Kine

Da kine likely got from the kind, is a universally helpful substitution word or placeholder name for a person, item, or conceptual idea. He wen to da kine to receive some da kine.

ainokea (I no care)

ainokea is spelled like try “I no care” slowly … and there you have it. This trendy slang phrase has become a famous brand name marked on shirts and logos around Hawaii.

Example: “You can’t go skating with me? Ainokea. I go anyway.

Hale (HAH-lay) 

It refers to House.

Grinds (Grindz) 

Refers to food, pronounced with a z at the end, not s.

Example: “Hey, Yaan, we go get da grindz.”

Lua

Refers to the bathroom. In the wake of flying for quite a long time over the Pacific Ocean, your first stops will reasonably be the lua. Wahine is for the women, and Kane is for the men.

Howzit 

 Refers to Hawaiian-style greeting asking in the easy-going short form, “How is everything going?”

Shaka

the universal hand gesture of Hawaii that refers to thanks, a greeting, or a goodbye. 

Ono 

It refers to delicious, tasty. 

Malasada 

It refers to a donut-like baked good with Portuguese origins. 

Zippys 

 It refers to always assisting Hawaii luxury food.

brok da mout

It attains from English, “Broke the Mouth,” say after you had delicious food that couldn’t stand it. 

Example: “Ho, Garry. I shiver so much ono food I brok da mout!”

Hapa

It refers to half that used to define Asian or Pacific Islander.

Haole (how-lee) 

It alludes to a non-local or remote individual, particularly a white or caucasian individual. Hawaiian slang for white people.

Kapu (Kah-poo)

It refers to Taboo, prohibited, banned. If you see signage that announces Kapu, it indicates “Keep Out!”

Lolo

It refers to Insane or stupid. “Yo, Garry, my faddah, lolo!”

Mahalo (ma-ha-low)

It refers to thank you. If you are thinking about appreciating someone from the heart for their help, then say “Mahalo nui loa” (meaning thank you in English).

Pau Hana (pow ha-na)

Exactly, finished work. The phrase usually attributes to cheering hour or drinks when you finished your work.

shoots

It is slang for okay or an acceptance. “We go to da park,vane? Shoots!”

Talk Story

This slogan meaning communicating with friends or conversance.

wagon

It refers to the shopping cart.

Ohana 

Ohana is family, the middle of traditional Hawaiian history.

A Hui Hou 

Refers to till we face again.

Hana Hou (ha-na-ho)

Refers to do again,repeat. Usage: like “repetition!”

Hapai 

Refers to transfer, or pregnant.

Hele 

It refers to come, go, walk, or move.

Kāne 

It refers to Man or male, male sweetheart, hubby. Kāne male determines married man.

Wahine 

Refers to Woman or female, girl.

Keiki 

It refers to Child or kids.

Bruddah

Refers to brother in Hawaiian slang

Lanai 

Refers to an open terrace, floor, balcony, or loggia.

Lei 

Refers to the festoon, crown, or jewelry of flowers most often connected with Hawaii expressing calm, love, honor, or friendship for another.

Puka

Refers to hole. Small size shells that found on Pacific island beaches, especaially on Hawaiian beaches, usually strung into necklaces.

Opala 

Refers to waste or garbage.

Slippahs (slippers) 

It refers to slippers or flip-flops. 

Makai 

Exactly, “ma” (in, on, at) and “kai” (ocean), indicating to the ocean. Used when providing directions.

Mauka 

Exactly, “ma” (in, on, at) and “uka” (inland), indicating to the mountains or go inland. Used when providing directions.

What is Hawaiian slang called?

Hawaiian slang is concerned to linguistically as Hawaiian pidgin slang or Hawaiian pidgin English. Technically Hawaiian slang is a mixture of two or more separate languages. Also, refer to a patois.

Also read: There Are Snakes in Hawaii?

Hawaiian pidgin slang 

Hawaiian slang is founded on the long-standing nearby pidgin language that has advanced into the traditional culture and utilized by a large portion of the neighbourhood people on the islands. there is the complete list of a Hawaiian slang term. 

You will find that locals use pidgin informal communication.  Pidgin phrases are used in local advertisements. If you are newly shifted in Hawaii and start talking to locals in Hawaiian Slang than they give you strange look and start making fun and laugh.

Conclusion

We are trying to cover mostly used Hawaiian slang pidgin. If you find any other Hawaiian slang word that is missing in this post then let us know in the comment section.

If you travelling to a foreign country than you should know common slang or word. Above we added popular Hawaiian pidgin slang. So if you are planning to visit Hawaii than this Hawaiian slang will help you to understand their local language and you will communicate with locals easily.

Hi, I'm Bhavesh Bhati thanks for visiting my blog! I've been traveling and exploring epic locations around the world for the last four years. I'm always looking for real adventures like treks, waterfalls, and Offroading!

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