May 12th: Kī hōʻalu

By Leilani Poliʻahu

Published May 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM HST

Our Hawaiian word for today is kī hōʻalu. Kī is the Hawaiian word for “key” and hōʻalu means “to slacken or loosen.” It is the popular Hawaiian term for what in English we call “slack key.”

Hawaiian Word of the Day

Leilani Poliʻahu

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Hawaiian Word of The Day

May 11th: Liʻiliʻi

Leilani Poliʻahu

Our Hawaiian word for today is liʻiliʻi. Be sure to include the diacritical pronunciation mark, the backwards apostrophe called the ʻokina. It means small, little, in bits, or few. If you spell it right with the diacritical pronunciation marks, it is easier to pronounce.
Hawaiian Word of The Day

May 8th: Kahu

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.