An Intro to Hawaiian Pidgin

In Hawaii, English and Hawaiian hold official state language status.

Hawaiian Pidgin, a unique blend of several languages including Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Portuguese, is also recognized as a distinct language.

It forms an integral part of the everyday vernacular and local culture!

Some useful words and phrases to know:

  • Aloha: Hello (also can mean Goodbye or Love)

  • Broke Da Mouth: Delicious (“This food is so good, it broke da mouth!”)

  • Chicken Skin: Goosebumps (“The Descendants was so emotional, it gave me chicken skin.”)

  • Grinds: Food (“Want to go get some grinds from Hamadas?”)

  • Kamaʻaina: Native-born or a long-term resident of Hawaiʻi (“She has been living on Maui since the 80’s. She’s pretty much kamaʻāina.”)

  • Kāne: Man

  • Keiki: Child

  • Mahalo: Thank you (“Mahalo for visitng the Hawaii Currents website!”)

  • ʻOhana: Family, community, social support system (“Please support our Maui ʻohana impacted by the August 2023 wildfires.”)

  • ʻOno: Tasty (“The plate lunch was so ʻono.”)

  • Talk Story: Telling stories among friends and acquaintances (“He can talk story all night!”)

  • Wahine: Woman

Other food-related words to know:

  • Ahi: yellowfin tuna

  • Furikake: a seasoning made with sesame seeds, green seaweed flakes, and nori seaweed often sprinkled as a garnish on a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes

  • Haupia: a gelatin-like dessert prepared from thickened coconut milk

  • Kālua pig: a smoky, shredded meat dish similar to pulled pork

  • Laulau: pork & butterfish (black cod) wrapped in ti leaves then steamed

  • Li hing mui: salted dried plums with a sweet, salty, and sour flavor, often sprinkled onto snacks

  • Lilikoi: passionfruit

  • Loco moco: a hamburger patty on rice, topped with over-easy egg and gravy

  • Lomi salmon: salted salmon mixed with tomatoes, onions, and pepper; like an island salsa

  • Malasada: Portuguese donuts

  • Manapua: the local name for the popular Chinese dim-sum dish char siu bao, cured sweet pork wrapped in soft white bread

  • Poi: ground and boiled taro root paste

  • Pūpū: appetizer or small dish

  • Saimin: Hawaii's version of noodle soup or ramen

  • Shave ice: an island version of snow cones made from finely shaved ice

  • Spam musubi: riceball formed into a rectangular shape, topped with spam, and wrapped in seaweed