Hawaiian Glossary

Just a few words or expressions from the local pastiche of language (not by any means "Hawaiian" the original language of these islands) bear explanation.

• ahupua`a - traditional tract of land extending, pie-shaped, from the top of the mountain to the ocean
• da kine - substitute name for anything ("the kind") when you can't think of its name
• grind (v), grinds (n) - to eat (v), food (n)
• kahuna - a shaman, from ka (the) huna (secret)
• kupuna - elder (a person 55 years or older)
• mahalo - thank you
• makai - the direction toward the ocean
• mauka - the direction up the mountain
• pau - finish
• pilau - badness, negative things
• pono - goodness, righteousness
• wahine - woman

Please feel free to ask in comments anything I should add here, especial if I have used a word without explaining it properly.