Festivals & Events

1. He lā hoʻomaha maoli kēia lā

   He lā hoʻo-ma-ha ma-o-li kē-ia lā

   Today is a true holiday

   Usage

   Happily announcing a public holiday

   Grammar Note

   "Maoli" means "true/real" and is also used to denote Native Hawaiian identity

2. E hoʻolauleʻa kākou!

   E ho-ʻo-lau-le-ʻa kā-kou!

   Let's all celebrate!

   Usage

   A rallying call to join in celebration at a festival

   Grammar Note

   "Kākou" is the inclusive "all of us" (3+ people including speaker)

3. He aha ka inoa o kēia hoʻolauleʻa?

   He a-ha ka i-no-a o kē-ia ho-ʻo-lau-le-ʻa?

   What is the name of this festival?

   Usage

   Asking for the name of a festival

   Grammar Note

   "Hoʻolauleʻa" means a festival or celebration; it is distinct from "pāʻina" (a meal gathering)

4. Ke mālama ʻia nei ka hoʻolauleʻa Merrie Monarch

   Ke mā-la-ma ʻia nei ka ho-ʻo-lau-le-ʻa Merrie Monarch

   The Merrie Monarch Festival is being held

   Usage

   Announcing Hawaii's most prestigious hula festival

   Grammar Note

   The Merrie Monarch Festival is the world's most prestigious hula competition held annually in Hilo

5. He lā nui ka Lā Kūʻokoʻa

   He lā nui ka Lā Kū-ʻo-ko-ʻa

   Hawaiian Independence Day is a great day

   Usage

   Talking about Hawaiian Kingdom Independence Day

   Grammar Note

   Lā Kūʻokoʻa (November 28) was the Hawaiian Kingdom's Independence Day, still culturally observed

6. E hele kākou i ka lūʻau

   E he-le kā-kou i ka lū-ʻau

   Let's all go to the luau

   Usage

   Inviting everyone to a traditional Hawaiian feast/party

   Grammar Note

   "Lūʻau" originally meant taro leaves but now refers to the traditional Hawaiian feast

7. He ʻono loa ka poi ma ka pāʻina

   He ʻo-no lo-a ka poi ma ka pā-ʻi-na

   The poi at the feast was very delicious

   Usage

   Talking about traditional food at a Hawaiian festival

   Grammar Note

   "Loa" intensifies adjectives; "ʻono loa" means "very delicious"

8. Ke hula ana nā haumāna i ka hoʻolauleʻa

   Ke hu-la a-na nā hau-mā-na i ka ho-ʻo-lau-le-ʻa

   The students are dancing hula at the celebration

   Usage

   Describing hula performance at a festival or celebration

   Grammar Note

   "Ke + verb + ana" indicates an ongoing action in Hawaiian

9. I hea e mālama ʻia ai kēia hoʻolauleʻa?

   I he-a e mā-la-ma ʻia ai kē-ia ho-ʻo-lau-le-ʻa?

   Where will this festival take place?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of a festival

   Grammar Note

   "Mālama" means to care for or carry out; with the passive "ʻia" it means "is held". "E … ai" frames the question of where it happens

10. Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

    Hau-ʻo-li Ma-ka-hi-ki Hou!

    Happy New Year!

    Usage

    New Year's greeting

    Grammar Note

    "Makahiki" also refers to the traditional 4-month Hawaiian harvest festival season

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