Hawaiian Word of the Day: June 21st

By Leilani Poliʻahu

Published June 21, 2024 at 12:00 AM HST

Hoʻopau means to "put an end to, finish, conclude, completely, all." To finish your work is to hoʻopau i kāu hana. Hoʻopau also means "to waste," as in hoʻopau manawa – to waste time.

Hawaiian Word of the Day

Leilani Poliʻahu

See stories by Leilani Poliʻahu

More Episodes

Hawaiian Word of The Day

Hawaiian Word of the Day: May 9th

Leilani Poliʻahu

Most of us are familiar with many Hawaiian terms for family members, but don't often use hoahānau, a good Hawaiian word for those born of the same generation. It combines hoa for “companion, friend, partner, or mate,” with hānau for “birth.” Hoahānau can be used for cousin, and comes in pretty handy in Hawaiʻi where we have large families—a nui na hoahānau.
Hawaiian Word of The Day

Hawaiian Word of the Day: May 8th

Leilani Poliʻahu

Most of us use the Hawaiian word kahu when we refer to the pastor of our church, a preacher or minister. Kahu in its first meanings is an honored attendant, guardian, nurse, keeper of bones, regent, keeper, administrator. It is also a warden, caretaker, master, mistress — even one who has a dog, cat, pig, or other pet.