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HPR speaks with state Sen. Karl Rhoads about concerns around a possibly AI-generated campaign commercial; Punahou School President Mike Latham discusses the new Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons.

Our Hawaiian Word for today is a beautiful Oʻahu place name, Kawaiahaʻo. And it means the water used by Haʻo. Some say Haʻo was a chief. As most of you know, it is a name for the most famous church on the island, often called the Westminster of the Pacific.

We often hear kakahiaka as part of aloha kakahiaka, a greeting early in the day. And most know it means "morning." The popular greeting came in to use only after the arrival of the poʻe haole, as a translation for “good morning.”

Nahu means to bite. 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.

One of the first words new residents in Hawaiʻi learn is mauka, meaning inland or upland. It is one of the most commonly used Hawaiian terms, since we don't give directions as many other folks do. It is actually two words: ma meaning “at,” and uka for “upland.”

Yesterday we told you about mauka, a direction meaning “at the upland.” Today's Hawaiian Word of the Day is makai, meaning “at the sea” the opposite direction of mauka. It is actually two words: ma meaning “at” and kai meaning “sea.”

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.

Pāʻia means noisy. It is best known as a small town in East Maui, and because it is so often misspelled, it is often mispronounced.

Hoʻola Na Pua, an organization committed to preventing sex trafficking, appoints a new CEO; University of Murcia archaeologist Miguel Valério studies different lunar calendars from across the Pacific Islands.

Pau is one of the most commonly used, and misused, of Hawaiian words. Pau kahana – the work is finished. Yes, pau means finished, ended, all done, final, even consumed and destroyed. Work is finished, so you can say “pau kahana.” But don?t say “I'm pau,” that would mean you are dead or finished. And don't ask, “Are you pau?”