Words and Phrases: Another Crash Course in Hawaiian
Hau’oli Kepakemapa! (Pronounced how-oh-lay key-pa-key-ma-pa) Or, happy September. It’s another lesson in the beautiful language of love you’ll hear everywhere in the islands.
You don’t need to learn Hawaiian just to visit the islands, but it’s fun to learn a few words and phrases. You may or may not decide to use them, but here are a few choice bits that you might recognize while you’re in the land of aloha. Check out some of the basic rules of Hawaiian pronunciation first, and remember: the Hawaiian language is not the same as “Pidgin.”
- Aloha–Hello, goodbye, and is an expression of love.
- Mahalo–Thank you
- Merry Christmas– Mele Kalikimaka (This phrase was made popular by the old song of the same name.)
- A hui hou kakou–Until we meet again
- Mau Loa–Forever
- Pomaika`i– Good Luck
- Aloha Au Ia ‘Oe–I love you
- Pau Hana–After work, or done with work. You’ll often hear this referred to also as the explanation for rush hour.
- wikiwiki–quickly, fast
- lani–heavenly
- hale–house, building, or dwelling
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