Ask any fourth grader, “What is Hawaiʻi's state bird?” and you will hear nēnē. Nēnē, the endangered Hawaiian goose, still lives in the wild on Maui and on the Big Island.
Another very commonly used Hawaiian word is nani. Nani means beautiful. It is often used in names as in Puanani for “beautiful flower.” Nani no ʻoe – you are beautiful – is a nice expression we hope you hear everyday.