© 2025 Hawaiʻi Public Radio

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Hawaiian Word of The Day

Hawaiian Word of the Day

Hawaiian Word of the Day: September 18th

By Leilani Poliʻahu

Published September 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM HST

Alapiʻi means stairs, steps, ladder, or any ascent. Even a musical scale can be called an alapiʻi mele.

Alapiʻi means stairs, steps, ladder or any ascent. Even a musical scale can be called an alapiʻi mele. Be careful when you walk up the alapiʻi!

Hawaiian Word of the Day

Leilani Poliʻahu

See stories by Leilani Poliʻahu

More Episodes

Hawaiian Word of The Day

Hawaiian Word of the Day: September 17th

Leilani Poliʻahu

ʻAʻole means “no.” ʻAʻole is an interjection which also means “not, never,” and you may hear it pronounced ʻaʻale. You will commonly hear it even in English conversation when people say - ʻaʻole pilikia – no trouble.
Hawaiian Word of The Day

Hawaiian Word of the Day: September 16th

Leilani Poliʻahu

Here's a simple, short Hawaiian Word of the Day for you, it is ʻae. It means “yes, to say yes, consent, to confirm, grant, agree, approve, permit.” It is the word you so often want to hear in answer to your questions.