Today we talk about common words you'll likely hear on your Hawaiian Vacation.
Imagine this: 500,000 Hawaiians spoke the language when Captain Cook arrived. Today, there are only 1,000 native speakers left, most of whom live on isolated Ni'ihau. Another 8,000 people can speak and understand Hawaiian, and use it among themselves. However, people who have lived here for any length of time use many Hawaiian words in our daily lives, today we share some of the words you'll likely hear when you come to the islands.
Common Hawaiian Words
Pau - All done, over
Manini - Small
Puka - Hole
Kuleana - Taking responsibility
Mauka - to the Mountians
Makai - to the ocean/sea
Aloha - Greeting
Mahalo - Thank you
Ono - good
Kau Kau - to Eat
Lolo - crazy
Mahalo nui - thank you big
Kapa Kahi - upside down, all messed up
Pilau - rotten