List of English words of Hawaiian origin


The Hawaiian language has offered a number of words to the English language. Some Hawaiian words are known to non-Hawaiian speakers, and a few have also been assimilated into the English language. English also borrows some Hawaiian words. Hawaiian vocabulary often overlaps with other Polynesian languages, such as Tahitian, so it is not always clear which of those languages a term is borrowed from.
The Hawaiian orthography is notably different from the English orthography because there is a special letter in the Hawaiian alphabet, the ʻokina. The ʻokina represents a glottal stop, which indicates a short pause to separate syllables. The kahakō represents longer vowel sounds. Both the okina and kahakō are often omitted in English orthography.
Due to the Hawaiian orthography's difference from English orthography, the pronunciation of the words differ. For example, the "muʻumuʻu", traditionally a Hawaiian dress, is pronounced by many mainland residents. However, many Hawaii residents have learned that the "ʻokina" in Hawaiian signifies a glottal stop. Thus, in the Hawaiian language, "muʻumuʻu" is pronounced . The pronunciations listed here are how it would sound in Hawaiian orthography.
VowelPronunciation
a, or
e,, or
i or
o or
u or

Hawaiian wordMeaningPronunciation Definition link
AaA kind of rough-surface volcanic rock. Note that there are two glottal stops before and after the first "a". Thus, it is not spoken as "ahh", but as "ah-ah".:wikt:ʻaʻā|Link
AkamaiIntelligent, clever, smart.:wikt:akamai|Link
AlohaHello, goodbye, and love; outside of Hawaii, only the first two meanings are used.:wikt:aloha|Link
AwaA Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum, of the pepper family, the aromatic roots of which are used to make an intoxicating beverage:wikt:kava#English|Link
HaoleForeigner or outsider. Usually directed towards Caucasians or people from the mainland. May be said offensively, but is commonly said familiarly.:wikt:haole|Link
HonuGreen sea turtle.:wikt:honu|Link
HulaAncient Hawaiian form of dance. In the older days, men used to do hula as a sign of masculinity and as a war dance. Also see haka. Many people get confused between the Hawaiian hula and the Tahitian hula :wikt:hula|Link
HumuhumunukunukuāpuaaThe reef triggerfish. The humuhumunukunukuapua'a is notorious for its long name, which many struggle to pronounce correctly + humu + nuku + nuku + wa + pua'a ):wikt:humuhumunukunukuapuaa|Link
KahunaHawaiian priest, wizard, or shaman; used in the slang phrase "big kahuna":wikt:kahuna|Link
KamaāinaA local; someone who has lived in Hawaii for a long time:wikt:kamaʻaina|Link
KeikiA child.:wikt:keiki|Link
KukuiThe candlenut tree, state tree of Hawaii, so named because the nuts were used as candles. Kukui nut leis were worn by celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and Tyra Banks in 2005-07 and became popular must-have accessories.:wikt:kukui|Link
LānaiA veranda or patio, from the word lānai :wikt:lanai|Link
LaniakeaThe galaxy supercluster that is home to the Milky Way. It means "immeasurable heaven".:wiki:laniakea|Link
LeiA garland of flowers and/or leaves to be worn around the neck.:wikt:lei|Link
LuauA Hawaiian feast.:wikt:luau|Link
MahaloThank you.:wikt:mahalo|Link
Mahi-mahiDolphin fish; the word means "very strong.":wikt:mahi-mahi|Link
ManaMagical or spiritual power.
ManoShark .
Muʻumuʻu A loose gown or dress incorrectly pronounced moo-moo in English, but properly pronounced "muumuu" in Hawaiian.:wikt:muumuu|Link
OhanaFamily, neighborhood. May also mean a guest house where family members stay.:wikt:ohana|Link
OnoGood to eat. May also refer to the Scombrid Fish, also known as the Wahoo.:wikt:Whaoo|Link
PahoehoeA kind of smooth-surface volcanic rock.:wikt:pahoehoe|Link
Pele's hairA type of volcanic glass fibers named after Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess of volcanoes.
Pele's tearsSolidified pieces of lava named after Pele.—
PoiA type of Hawaiian food made from mashing corms of the taro plant.:wikt:poi|Link
PukaA hole or perforation. Puka shells are round shells with center holes, strung together to make popular necklaces.:wikt:puka|Link
TabooFrom Hawaiian "kapu". Also Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Tahitian "tapu" or Fijian "tabu".:wikt:taboo|Link
UkuleleA small guitar-like musical instrument that resembles the Portuguese cavaquinho :wikt:ukulele|Link
WahineA woman, a female surfer.:wikt:wahine|Link
WikiFast; used in the "Wiki Wiki Shuttle" and "English Wikipedia":wikt:wiki|Link