Hawaiian Word of the Day: October 7th

By Leilani Poliʻahu

Published October 7, 2024 at 12:00 AM HST

Although aikāne is probably commonly used by non-native speakers to mean “friend,” hoa aloha is the preferred Hawaiian word.

Our Hawaiian word for today is, hoa aloha. Although aikāne is probably commonly used by non-native speakers to mean “friend,” hoa aloha is the preferred Hawaiian word.

Hawaiian Word of the Day

Leilani Poliʻahu

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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.
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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.