Be kind to others In return, they ask visitors to arrive with an open mind and to learn from the locals of Hawaii. The first words you should learn (and the words you hear the most!) are “aloha” meaning “hello”, “goodbye” or “love”, and “mahalo” meaning “thank you”.
The Hawaiian way to greet someone is with a kiss on the cheek. Always remember to remove your shoes before entering someone's house. When you are invited over to someone's house for a get together, don't show up empty handed. Pick up a dessert or another food dish on the way!
All locals seek from visitors is to be respected and to remember that visiting this picturesque state is like being in someone else's home, sometimes literally. Whether it's the capital city of Honolulu or the scenic island of Maui, all that is asked is to treat beautiful Hawaii as their very own.
Stereotypes of Native Hawaiians include: territorial bullies, overweight fellows, uneducated imbeciles, seductive hula dancers, drug addicts, and more (Tsai, 2004, p.
Aloha – Hello
In Hawaii, Aloha means more than 'hello'; it expresses wishes for a positive and respectful life. Use Aloha kakahiaka to say, 'good morning', Aloha 'auinalā for 'good afternoon' and Aloha ahiahi for 'good evening'.
In short, honi, means to kiss. The gravity of the honi in the Hawaiian culture is often unknown to visitors, which, in my opinion is a shame. It's a beautiful act of love and respect between two people. During this “kiss”, two people touch foreheads, with noses touching and then inhaling as the same time.
W is pronounced both as English [w] (after vowels O and U) and as English [v] (after vowels E and I). When W starts a word or follows A vowel, it is pronounced either [w] or [v]. The 8th consonant is called a glottal stop (ʻokina in Hawaiian) and is represented in writing by an apostrophe.
What is a Good Response to Mahalo? Expressing gratitude is an important value in Polynesian cultures, but so is humility. A common response to mahalo is a'ole pilikia, which means “no problem”. There is a deeper meaning behind each word—meanings that speak to how Hawaiians interact with nature and each other.
Pick up a few local words
Aloha means both “hello,” and “goodbye,” and is used as a greeting when seeing someone for the first time and wishing them well at parting. If someone says “Aloha” to you, say it right back. Mahalo means “thank you.” If someone does you a kindness, don't be shy about saying, “Mahalo,” to them.
As a visitor, you should understand aloha and show it to others. Likewise, Native Hawaiians have lived in harmony with nature for many years, and respecting the land, or aina, and ocean is expected of anyone. So don't litter or take parts of the island, like rocks back home with you.
The everyday wear in Hawaii are shorts and T-shirts, which people wear almost everywhere. Women wear tank tops and shorts, or light dresses. Hawaii weather is warm and humid, with temperatures between 70ºF to mid 80ºF and the pleasant trade winds.
“Hang loose,” “Right on,” “Thank you,” “Things are great,” “Take it easy” – in Hawaii, the shaka sign expresses all those friendly messages and more.
Remove your shoes. Whether you're at your hotel or someone's home, the first thing you should do before entering is take off your shoes. It's an important Hawaiian custom that shows respect for the home owner and helps keep the home clean. Some homes may have indoor slippers or you can just go barefoot.
Growing up in Honolulu, I have become accustomed to being hugged and kissed on the cheek. It's part of Hawaii's hugging culture: a big sweep of the arms followed by a hello or goodbye peck on the cheek. I receive such hugs and kisses from friends and professional colleagues without rebuke.
1. The Deeper Meaning of Aloha (ah-LO-ha) Although this is probably the most common word you'll hear and see in Hawaii, many people don't know the deeper meaning behind this greeting. Yes, aloha can serve as both “hello” and “goodbye,” but when you say aloha to another person, you're saying so much more.
No Ka Oi: 'Is The Best' (ie. Maui no ka oi!)
The Hawaiian Language. Here are some everyday greetings and salutations you can use in your letters and email. "Aloha kakou" means "Greetings between you and I".
1) The Aloha spirit is strong, which means that people from Hawaii are always willing to offer friendship and assistance when needed. 2) According to a national well-being survey, Hawaii is the least stressed state in the states - naturally, everyone has a little more patience and empathy.
Generally, most locals are happy to see the tourists come and see what life means for them, especially those activities that depict a life many have never seen, learned, or experienced.
There were no swear words like there are in modern languages. There were insulting and pejorative insults and phrases, but no words that were inherently “bad” or profane. There are a few loaned from English.