Greetings

1. Aloha

   A-lo-ha

   Hello / Greetings

   Usage

   The most iconic Hawaiian greeting, meaning love, peace, and compassion

   Grammar Note

   "Aloha" serves as both hello and goodbye, embodying the Hawaiian spirit

2. Mahalo

   Ma-ha-lo

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most commonly used Hawaiian word for gratitude, seen on signs throughout Hawaii

   Grammar Note

   "Mahalo nui loa" means "thank you very much" — a more emphatic form

3. A hui hou

   A hu-i hou

   Goodbye / Until we meet again

   Usage

   Hawaiian farewell meaning "until we meet again" — a warm goodbye

   Grammar Note

   Can be extended to "A hui hou kākou" — until we all meet again

4. ʻAe / ʻAʻole

   ʻAe / ʻA-ʻo-le

   Yes / No

   Usage

   The basic Hawaiian words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   ʻAʻole also means "not." "ʻAʻole pilikia" means "no problem / you're welcome"

5. Pehea ʻoe?

   Pe-he-a ʻo-e?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Hawaiian way to ask how someone is doing. Reply with "Maikaʻi au" (I'm fine)

   Grammar Note

   Reply "Maikaʻi au, mahalo" — I'm fine, thank you

6. Aloha kakahiaka!

   A-lo-ha ka-ka-hia-ka!

   Good morning!

   Usage

   Morning greeting in Hawaiian — combine aloha with a time of day

   Grammar Note

   kakahiaka means morning; pair aloha with it for a time-specific greeting

7. Aloha awakea!

   A-lo-ha a-wa-ke-a!

   Good afternoon!

   Usage

   Midday greeting in Hawaiian; awakea means noon or midday

   Grammar Note

   awakea is said to derive from the wide open sky at noon

8. Aloha ahiahi!

   A-lo-ha a-hia-hi!

   Good evening!

   Usage

   Evening greeting in Hawaiian; ahiahi means evening or night

   Grammar Note

   ahiahi is reduplicated; aloha ahiahi is the standard evening greeting

9. Maikaʻi au, mahalo.

   Mai-ka-ʻi au, ma-ha-lo.

   I'm fine, thank you.

   Usage

   Standard reply to "Pehea ʻoe?" (How are you?)

   Grammar Note

   maikaʻi is the most common Hawaiian word for "good" or "fine"

10. E kala mai iaʻu.

    E ka-la mai ia-ʻu.

    Excuse me / I'm sorry.

    Usage

    Polite expression used to apologize or get someone's attention

    Grammar Note

    kala means to forgive or release; mai indicates the direction toward the speaker

11. Aia i hea ka lua?

    A-ia i he-a ka lu-a?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Practical phrase for asking where the toilet is. Essential when traveling.

    Grammar Note

    "Aia i hea" asks for location. "Lua" (hole/pit) is the common Hawaiian word for toilet/bathroom.

12. ʻAʻole au ʻike i ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

    ʻA-ʻo-le au ʻi-ke i ka ʻō-le-lo Ha-wai-ʻi.

    I can't speak ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

    Usage

    Used to explain you cannot speak Hawaiian. Helpful when someone addresses you in the language.

    Grammar Note

    "ʻAʻole" is the general negation in Hawaiian. "ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi" (Hawaiian speech/language) is the official name.

13. E hoʻi hou ana au.

    E ho-ʻi hou a-na au.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

14. Ua leʻaleʻa au.

    U-a le-ʻa-le-ʻa au.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

15. Mahalo, a hui hou!

    Ma-ha-lo, a hu-i hou!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell; "a hui hou" is one of the most famous Hawaiian goodbyes

16. Pō maikaʻi

    Pō mai-ka-ʻi

    Good night

    Usage

    Bedtime greeting in Hawaiian, distinct from "Aloha ahiahi" (good evening) — said right before sleeping

17. ʻAʻole pilikia

    ʻA-ʻo-le pi-li-kia

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Mahalo" (thank you). Literally "no trouble"

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