Most people who live in Hawaiʻi know what a maile lei is, but it is one of those Hawaiian words that is all too often mispronounced. Maile is a native twining shrub with shiny, fragrant leaves, used for decorations and lei, especially on important occasions. Maile is pronounced “mai-lei,” not to be confused with the Leeward Oʻahu community called Māʻili.

Kikowaena means “center.” You can use it to describe such things as a shopping center. Ala Moana Center, for example, is kikowaena kūʻai ʻo Ala Moana.

Ulu means “to grow, increase, spread.” It is often used in conjunction with such words as wehi. Ulu wehi, for example, means “lush and beautiful, festively adorned.”

Our Hawaiian Word of the Day is waiū, for “milk.” Literally, it means "breast liquid," and can also be used to mean "breast."

Ahiahi, the Hawaiian word for “evening,” is one that calls for a glide in your pronunciation. Ahiahi is that beautiful time of day, the late afternoon.

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!

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.a

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.

We used to see so many signs that read “kapu” that people joked about Kapu being a Hawaiian who owned all that land. Actually, kapu, means taboo, prohibition, or even sacredness, or forbidden. And yes, on those signs it has come to mean “keep out.”

Our Hawaiian Word of the Day is the name of our state, Hawaiʻi. It is pronounced either as “Hawaiʻi” or “Havaiʻi.” Yes, either is okay. Language experts say you can pronounce it with a “w” or a “v” if that sound follows an “a.”