June 25th: Kōlea

By Leilani Poliʻahu

Published June 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM HST

Although kōlea has many meanings, the most common perhaps is as the Hawaiian name of the Pacific Golden Plover - a bird that arrives in Hawaii in August or September, and returns to the Arctic in April or May.

Although kōlea has many meanings, the most common perhaps is as the Hawaiian name of the Pacific Golden Plover - a bird that arrives in Hawaiʻi in August or September, and returns to the Arctic in April or May.

Hawaiian Word of the Day

Leilani Poliʻahu

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Hawaiian Word of The Day

June 23rd: Wahiawā

Leilani Poliʻahu

Wahiawā is one of those beautiful Oʻahu place names that is so often mispronounced. It means "place of noise," for the rough seas could be heard all the way to Wahiawā.
Hawaiian Word of The Day

June 22nd: Hiapo

Leilani Poliʻahu

Hiapo means "firstborn." It is used often in Hawaiian to describe the eldest child, the firstborn. Like many cultures, there is a special significance attached to being the firstborn, or hiapo, in a Hawaiian family.