Ryan’s family is local to Hawaii, meaning their family goes back many generations living on Oahu and Kauai. When I first stayed with his auntie and family in Kaneohe, Oahu, the first few months I started picking up the local Hawaiian slang words and phrases, aka Hawaiian Pidgin. After 10 years of being together I’ve gotten quite familiar with the local lingo. I’ve put together this little Hawaiian Pidgin to English dictionary of my favorite Hawaiian slang words and pidgin phrases that you’ll want to know for your visit!
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Hawaiian Slang Words and Pidgin Phrases You’ll Want to Know
Table of Contents
Quick Background on Hawaiian Slang
Hawaiian slang, more popularly known as Pidgin, is Hawaii’s unofficial local language and can be heard spoken throughout the islands by the locals. It is a mix of English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Portuguese words that came about in the 19th century when migrants came from those respective countries to work the plantations in Hawaii. With Ryan’s Japanese background and my Filipino background, it’s always interesting for us when we recognize Japanese and Filipino words mixed in with Pidgin!
Pidgin also became helpful during WWII when Japanese spies tried to intercept local radios but couldn’t understand what was being said.
Local Hawaiian Slang Dictionary
The following are helpful words and phrases to know when you visit Hawaii, with some you may not even hear but are fun to know anyway 🙂 Disclaimer: I have not studied the Hawaiian language, nor Pidgin, so I am not claiming to be an expert. The following translations are what I have learned the words to mean based on my own observations being in Hawaii along with some help and examples from Ryan.
I’ve broken this dictionary into sections:
- Hawaiian Slang Adjectives
- Hawaiian Slang for Food
- Hawaiian Slang Directions, Places and Things
- Hawaiian Slang for People and Animals
- Hawaiian Slang Greetings and Phrases
Hawaiian Slang Adjectives
Chang
What does chang mean? This pidgin word means to be frugal or have a tight wallet, aka cheap.
Example: No tip? You so chang, brah.
Choke
What does choke mean? In Hawaiian pidgin, choke means to have a lot of something.
Example: “So, you catch any fish?” “Oh yeah. Choke, brah.”
How do you pronounce choke? Exactly like how it is pronounced in English.
Irrahz
What does irrahz mean? Hawaiian slang short for irritating, annoying.
Example: Stop that complaining. You so irrahz.
Junk
What does junk mean? Junk is Hawaiian slang for not good.
Example: “How the waves?” “Junk. Left da beach early.”
Kapu
What does kapu mean? Kapu is the Hawaiian word for forbidden, not allowed, stay out.
Example: No go Stairway to Heaven hike. Stay Kapu.
How do you pronounce kapu? KA-poo
Hawaiian Slang for Food
Aku
What is aku? Aku is the Hawaiian word for shipjack tuna, a local favorite in Hawaii.
Example: Dis dried aku is so ono, ya?
How do you pronounce aku? AH-koo
Broke da mouth
What does broke da mouth mean? This is one of my favorite pidgin phrases meaning something that tastes so good it hurts your mouth! Delicious.
Example: “How’s da spicy tuna?” “So good! Broke da mouth.”
Crack seed
What is crack seed? Whenever we are in Hawaii we eat a lot of this and when we go home we bring a lot back as gifts! Crack seed is locals’ favorite snack food, and can be salty, sweet or sour.
Examples: Japanese arare, li hing mango, candied ginger, dried cuttlefish, Hurricane popcorn
Green bottles
What are green bottles? When someone says green bottles in Hawaii they are referring to Heineken, a favorite beer in Hawaii.
Example: Da kine, pick up 12 pack green bottles and one pizza.
Grind
What does it mean to grind in Hawaii? To grind means to eat in pidgin! And we do a lot of it in Hawaii!
Example: Ho brah, where you like grind tonight? Rainbow’s?
Grindz
What does grindz mean? Similarly, grindz is Hawaiian slang for food and a term you will likely hear often!
Example: “How’s da grindz, brah?” “Hm, broke da mouth!”
Haupia
What is haupia? Haupia is a Hawaiian coconut milk-based dessert and popular flavor for desserts.
Example: Haupia cake
How do you pronounce haupia? how-PEE-uh
Imu
What is an imu? An imu is a Hawaiian barbecue pit/underground oven. It is often used to make kalua pig.
Example: Da pig stay ready? Imu stay hot.
How do you pronounce imu? EE-moo
Kanak attack
What does kanak attack mean? This pidgin phrase refers to how you feel when you eat too much and need to take a nap.
Example: Plenty good grindz. Getting one kanak attack.
Li hing mui
What is li hing mui? Li hing mui originates from China and is salty dried plum. Li hing mui is very popular in Hawaii and the powder is used to flavor many snacks!
Example:Li hing mui gummy bears
Lilikoi
What is lilikoi? Lilikoi is the Hawaiian word for passion fruit and is one of the most popular flavors in Hawaii.
Example: Lilikoi pancakes
How do you pronounce lilikoi? lih-lee-KOY
Musubi
What is musubi? Musubi is a Japanese word for rice ball wrapped in nori (seaweed). In Hawaii, Spam musubi is a popular snack – try it!
Example: Those haoles keep calling dis musubi “Spam sushi”.
How do you pronounce musubi? moo-soo-bee
Want to make musubi at home? Buy a musubi maker and enjoy spam musubi at home anytime! We love ours.
Ono
What does ono mean in Hawaiian? Ono means delicious! This is another very common word you will hear in Hawaii.
Example: Sistah, how you learn cook so good? Choke ono kine grindz.
How do you pronounce ono? OH-no
Pupus
What are pupus? Nah, these aren’t anything gross. Pupus is Hawaiian for appetizers! If you go to a party in Hawaii you’ll be sure to have lots of pupus.
Example:We gon grind at uncle’s tonight. Make sure bring pupus.
How do you pronounce pupus? poo-poos
Shoyu
What is shoyu? When I’m in Hawaii, I never hear soy sauce, I only hear shoyu, which is the Japanese word for it.
Example: Brah, try pass da shoyu ova hea. No can reach.
How do you pronounce shoyu? SHO-yew
Tako
What is tako?Tako is the Japanese word for octopus and is how you will hear it called in Hawaii, more often than the English word.
Example: Au’rite, caught some tako today. Gonna make some tako poke fo pupus lata.
How do you pronounce tako? tah-ko
Hawaiian Slang Directions, Places and Things
Aina
What does aina mean? Aina is the Hawaiian word for land.
Example: Try respect the aina, ya?
How do you pronounce aina? EYE-na
Coconut Wireless
What does coconut wireless mean? The coconut wireless is similar to “hearing through the grapevine”. It’s when gossip spreads super quickly through word of mouth.
Example: “Who’s your new girlfriend?” “How you know I have a girlfriend?” “Heard through da coconut wireless.”
Ewa/Leeward
What does ewa mean? Ewa is used on Oahu as a direction, meaning westwards, aka towards Ewa Beach. You will also hear the word leeward used instead to mean the west side of the island.
Example: They live ewa side.
How do you pronounce ewa? EH-va
Fun fact: In the Hawaiian language, “w” is often pronounced with a “v” sound when it comes after a vowel and in the middle of a word. So you may in fact hear some people pronounce “hawaii” as “havaii”.
Hale
What does hale mean? Hale is the Hawaiian word for house.
Example: You going club? Na, stay hale.
How do you pronounce hale? HA-ley
Hawaiian Time
What does Hawaiian Time mean? Being on Hawaiian time means you are always late, could even be three hours late. You will notice things are more laid-back in Hawaii so everything moves a little more slowly. Be patient 🙂
Example: Where is dat buggah? I said 5:30. He stay Hawaiian time.
Lanai
What is a lanai? Lanai is the Hawaiian word for porch or patio and almost every house in Hawaii has one. When in Hawaii, I never hear locals say patio, I always hear them call it the lanai.
Example: We stay chillaxin on da lanai, enjoy da view.
How do you pronounce lanai? lah-nigh
Mainland
What does the mainland mean? When locals refer to the mainland, they mean the continental states.
Example: Slow down, brah. Dis not da mainland.
Makai
What does makai mean? Makai is used in Hawaii to indicate direction towards the ocean.
Example: Head makai til you get to da kine, den turn left.
How do you pronounce makai? ma-KIGH
Mauka
What does mauka mean? Similarly to makai, mauka is also a directional word used to indicate towards the mountains, so it’s the opposite of makai.
Example: To find the trailhead, head mauka til you reach da dead end.
How do you pronounce mauka? MOW-ka
Mauna
What does mauna mean? This is the Hawaiian word for mountain.
Example: Mauna Kea
How do you pronounce mauna? MOW-na
Pakalolo
What does pakalolo mean? Pakalolo is the Hawaiian word for marijuana.
Example: “How’s the pakalolo?” “Stank, brah.”
How do you pronounce pakalolo? pah-kah-LOW-low
Pali
What does pali mean? Pali is the Hawaiian word for cliff.
Example: He lost his hat off da pali. Stay windy.
How do you pronounce pali? PAH-lee
Puka
What does puka mean? In Hawaiian, puka means hole.
Example: Ho, you gonna tell him he has small kine puka in his pants?
How do you pronounce puka? POO-ka
Slippahs
What are slippahs? In Hawaii, slippahs are not just for indoors. They are not called flip flops or sandals, they are called slippahs!
Example: Who went steal my slippahs? They stay right here. Now they stay gone.
Hawaiian Slang for People and Animals
Aunty/Uncle
What does aunty/uncle mean? Older lady, older man. (Be careful not to call someone younger aunty or uncle) I quickly learned when we were out and about that Ryan would call everyone aunty or uncle but that didn’t mean they were related!
Example: Hey Aunty, you know my maddah and fuddah? They owned the gas station in Hanapepe.
Chicken skin
What does chicken skin mean? Goosebumps.
Example: How’s dat ghost story? I get all chicken skin!
Hanabata
What does hanabata mean? Nose boogers! This one originates from Japanese.
Example: Hey, stop using your shirt and get one Kleenex for that hanabata!
Haole
What does haole mean? Caucasian or White person. It can be used to describe a Caucasian person but can also be derogatory, especially if the person doesn’t show aloha.
Example: When I went university at Washington State, I made lot of haole friends.
How do you pronounce haole? HOW-lee
Hapa
What does hapa mean? The term hapa is commonly used to describe a person who is part white, and part another race, usually Asian. However in Hawaiian, the word means “half” or “part” and was originally used to refer to someone who was part Hawaiian, part another race. (Thanks to a helpful reader who clarified this!)
Example: I think she Hapa. Her maddah is Tanaka and faddah is Williams.
Honu
What does honu mean? This is the Hawaiian word for turtle.
Example: No go touch the honu. They gon lock you up.
How do you pronounce honu? HO-new
Kahuna
What does kahuna mean? In Hawaiian it means someone who is an expert in a profession. It is used to refer to someone who is respected and has authority.
Example: Who went die and made you kahuna?
How do you pronounce kahuna? ka-HOO-na
Kama’aina
What does kama’aina mean? This Hawaiian word refers to someone born in Hawaii or has resided there for a long time.
Example: Eh, what? No Kama’aina discount? I stay local.
How do you pronounce kama’aina? KA-ma EYE-na
Kane
What does kane mean? This is the Hawaiian word for boy or man.
Example: You may come across a bathroom sign that says Kane.
How do you pronounce kane? KA-nay
Keiki
What does keiki mean? In Hawaiian, keiki means child.
Example: Where the keiki stay? In da back, stay play on the swings.
How do you pronounce keiki? KAY-kee
Kotonk
What does kotonk mean? This term refers to a mainland-born Japanese person, but nowadays can also refer to anyone of Asian descent from the mainland. It is not widely used any longer and has a derogatory origin from World War II era conflict between Hawaii-born Japanese and mainland-born Japanese.
Example: How’s dis kotonk? Where he stay? California?
Local
What does being local mean in Hawaii? Someone who is from Hawaii is called “local”, not “Hawaiian”. Only those with native Hawaiian ancestry can be called Hawaiian. Being local doesn’t necessarily mean they were born in Hawaii, but that they are long-term residents and carry the aloha spirit.
Example: I stay local, brah. Born and raised Kaneohe.
Moke
What does moke mean? In Hawaiian pidgin, moke refers to a tough local man, usually of Polynesian ancestry, and someone you don’t want to mess with.
Example: No mess wit aunty’s boyfriend, he’s a moke.
How do you pronounce moke? mohk
Ohana
What does ohana mean? Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family and is probably a word you are already familiar with as it is widely used.
Example: How da Ohana stay? Say hello to Aunty for me.
How do you pronounce ohana? oh-HA-na
Okole
What does okole mean? Okole is the Hawaiian word for butt/bottom.
Example: Careful, rocks stay slippery. No go smack your okole.
How do you pronounce okole? oh-KO-lay
Potagee
What does Potagee mean? This is Hawaiian slang for a Portuguese person.
Example:Is he haole? I think he part potagee, ya?
Shishi
What does shishi mean? This word derives from Japanese and means to pee.
Example: I stay buss up. Too many green bottles. Now I need go shishi.
How do you pronounce shishi? shee-shee
Sistah/braddah
How do you use sistah/braddah in Hawaiian pidgin? These two terms are so commonly used in local pidgin and refer to a young woman or man. They can be used for a friend or just someone you’ve met.
Example: Hey braddah, no go school or wat today?
Stink eye
What does stink eye mean in Hawaiian pidgin? To give stink eye means to give a dirty look or evil eye.
Example: No give me stink eye. Sistah ate the last manapua.
Tita
What does tita mean in Hawaiian pidgin? The term tita refers to a tough local woman or a female version of a moke.
Example: She Tita, she buss you up.
How do you pronounce tita? TIH-tuh
Townie
What is a townie? Pidgin for someone who lives in town (Honolulu) and acts more like city folk. May be a little stuck up.
Example:He neva been camping? Such a townie.
Wahine
What does wahine mean in Hawaiian? Wahine is the Hawaiian word for female/woman and you may see it as a sign on a bathroom door.
Example: She one beautiful wahine, ya?
How do you pronounce wahine? wa-HEE-nay
Hawaiian Slang Greetings and Phrases
Aloha
What does aloha mean? This is probably the most recognized Hawaiian word. It is used as a greeting both to say hello and goodbye, but it also stands for the feeling of love and kindness, aka the aloha spirit.
Example: K dens, see you next week. Aloha.
Au’rite
What does au’rite mean? It’s the local way to excitedly say “all right!”
Example: Aloha Friday! Au’rite!
Chee-hoo
What does chee-hoo mean? This is a very popular local phrase I hear in Hawaii. It’s an expression of excitement!
Example: Three-day weekend! Chee-hoo!
Da kine
What does da kine mean? This is a popular pidgin phrase used as a filler word whenever you can’t remember something. It can be used as a noun, adjective, verb or whatever.
Example: I saw Da Kine at Costco. Your teacher.
How do you pronounce da kine? da-kind (but drop the d)
E komo mai
What does e komo mai mean? E komo mai is Hawaiian for welcome. You will often see it on signs to welcome you into a business or a town.
Example: Aloha, you stay in da neighborhood? E komo mai. Get coffee going.
How do you pronounce e komo mai? eh ko-mo migh
Halala
What does halala mean? This pidgin word is Filipino in origin and means you’re in trouble! It’s similar to “uh-oh”. This one is a favorite of mine as it’s something I grew up hearing all the time!
Example: You broke da TV. Halala, fadah gone give you lickins.
How do you pronounce halala? ha-LA-la
Hanabata days
What is the meaning of hanabata days? This pidgin phrase uses the Japanese loan word “hanabata” to refer to childhood, ie. when you used to wipe boogers.
Example: We stay friends from my hanabata days.
Hana hou
What does hana hou mean? Hana hou is Hawaiian for one more time.
Example: At the end of a Karaoke song: Hana hou, hana hou!
How do you pronounce hana hou? HA-na-ho
Hanapa’a
What does hanapa’a mean? The literal meaning of the Hawaiian word hanapa’a is “to make secure or fasten”. However it’s mostly used as a slang word when fishing as a celebratory way of saying you’ve caught something.
Example: Hanapa’a! Got one big mahi mahi!
How do you pronounce hanapa’a? ha-na-PA-a
Ho Brah
What does ho brah mean? This popular pidgin phrase is used to get attention.
Example: Ho brah, how’s da fishing? Hanapa’a?
Howzit?
What does howzit mean? This pidgin phrase is so popular that it was so ingrained in Ryan’s vocabulary even when we moved to Canada. It’s Hawaiian slang for “how’s it going?”
Example: Mark! Howzit? Neva see you long time.
Mahalo
What does mahalo mean? Mahalo is Hawaiian for thank you! If there is only one word in Hawaiian you learn, this should be it. It’s an easy one to use and you won’t feel silly saying it 😉
Example: Did you cook suppah tonight? Mahalos!
Mele kalikimaka
What does mele kalikimaka mean? If you visit during the winter holidays you will quickly realize that mele kalikimaka means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian!
No need
What does no need mean? It’s the pidgin way of saying I don’t need it anymore.
Example: I get one pizza. No need make food.
Pau
What does pau mean? Pau is Hawaiian for all done or end.
Example: “Still get plenty food.” “No, Aunty, I’m all pau. Getting a kanak attack.”
How do you pronounce pau? POW
Shaka
What is shaka? The shaka is the iconic Hawaiian hand gesture, used to signify something is good.
Example: I would always see people use the shaka in traffic, like when someone lets you in. Instead of waving thanks, you just give a shaka!
Shoots
What does shoots mean? This is a super popular pidgin word meaning “Yeah!” or “Okay!”
Example: “You like come my house? Get one pound poke and green bottles.” “Shoots!”
Small kine
What does small kine mean? This is Hawaiian slang for “a little bit”.
Example: Did you put suga in the lemon chicken? Small kine soua (sour), ya?
Talk story
What does talk story mean? Oh, a favorite local past-time! To talk story means to make small talk or have conversation.
Example: Sorry we late. Saw Aunty at Zippy’s and talk story.
Try
What does try mean in Hawaii? Try is the local way of saying “can you please?”
Example:Try move, ya? We in line.
Ya?
Why does every sentence end in ya? In Hawaii, you will quickly notice how often people end their sentences with “ya?” It’s a quick way to see if someone agrees, instead of saying “isn’t it?”
Example: These malasadas are so ono, ya?
Mahalo for reading! Do you have any other favorites to add? Let us know in the comments below!
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