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Our Hawaiian word for today is puni meaning surrounded, controlled, overcome. Now that you know how to use the ho‘o prefix, you know that ho‘opuni can mean to surround, enclose, get control of: ho‘opuni.

Pēlā means “in that way.” And pēlā nō means: that's so, that's it, that's how it is, exactly. It's a handy word to know and our Hawaiian word for today. Pēlā nō – that's it.

Often we hear people talking about their ‘aumakua. It means a family god, or personal god, or a deified ancestor. Our ‘aumakua might be a shark or an owl, or even an inanimate object. It is said that ‘aumakua often warn and reprimand mortals in dreams and visions.

A kupua is a demi-god, or cultural hero, especially a supernatural being possessing several forms, one possessing magical powers. Kupua can often change their form and may assume non god-like, very everyday things.

Mana is another Hawaiian word we often hear in English conversation. People will tell of someone or something having mana – supernatural or divine power. It is also a good adjective, and someone with a leo mana is said to have an authoritative voice.

A moʻolelo is a story, a tale, a myth, a tradition, or even a record of something happening. All the stories you read in the newspaper or hear on television are moʻolelo, even those regarded as news.

Nahu means to bite. And it can be the bite of anything – from an insect that bites, to the bite of a dog, or even the bite you take out of a piece of cake.

Gov. Josh Green discusses the aftermath of the storm and whether liquefied natural gas should power Oʻahu's grid; Noelani Kalipi with the U.S. Department of Defense's Hawaii Coordination Cell walks through the process of how military leases are being renegotiated

If you listen to Hawaiian speakers, you often hear the word mea. Mea just means “thing,” and it can be used in so many different ways, usually with a modifier. A mea hula is a dancer, a mea nui is a large or important thing, and a mea oli is a chanter.

Pulelehua is the Hawaiian word for butterfly. There are so many beautiful butterflies in Hawaiʻi, it's good to know what to call them.