Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
not have an
okina
-is correctly pronounced as “Law-HIGH-nah,” whereas if it were
to be spelled with an
okina
such as Laha'ina, it would then be pronounced as “Law-
HUH-ee-na.”
Make sense?
luakini:
a human-sacrifice temple. Introduced to Hawai'i in the 13th century at Waha'ula
Heiau on the Big Island.
lu'au:
a Hawaiian feast featuring poi,
imu-
baked pork, and other traditional foods. Good
ones provide some of the best gastronomic delights in the world.
luna:
foreman or overseer in the plantation fields. They were often mounted on horseback
and were renowned for either their fairness or their cruelty. Representing the middle
class, they served as a buffer between plantation workers and white plantation owners.
mahalo:
thank you.
Mahalo nui
means “big thanks” or “thank you very much.”
mahele:
division. The Great Mahele of 1848 changed Hawai'i forever when the traditional
common lands were broken up into privately owned plots.
mahimahi:
a favorite eating fish. Often called a dolphin, but a mahimahi is a true fish, not
a cetacean.
mahu:
a homosexual; often used derisively
maile:
a fragrant vine used in traditional lei. It looks ordinary but smells delightful.
maka'ainana:
a commoner; a person “belonging” to the
'aina
(land), who supported the
ali'i
by fishing and farming and as a warrior
makai:
toward the sea; used by most islanders when giving directions
make:
dead; deceased
malihini:
what you are if you have just arrived: a newcomer; a tenderfoot; a recent arrival
malo:
the native Hawaiian loincloth. Never worn anymore except at festivals or pageants.
mana:
power from the spirit world; innate energy of all things animate or inanimate; the
grace of god. Mana could be passed on from one person to another, or even stolen. Great
care was taken to protect the
ali'i
from having their
mana
defiled. Commoners were re-
quired to lie flat on the ground and cover their faces whenever a great
ali'i
approached.
Kahuna
were often employed in the regaining or transference of
mana.
manini:
small; stingy; tight
mauka:
toward the mountains; used by most islanders when giving directions
mauna:
mountain. Often combined with other words to be more descriptive, such as
Mauna Kea (White Mountain)
