Traveling with Kids

1. E pāʻani kākou

   E pā-ʻa-ni kā-kou

   Let's all play together

   Usage

   Invite children to play together

   Grammar Note

   "kākou" is the inclusive plural "all of us" (3+ people); contrasts with "kāua" (just two)

2. Ua ʻono kēia!

   U-a ʻo-no kē-ia

   This is delicious!

   Usage

   Express that food is delicious — common in children's speech

   Grammar Note

   "ʻono" = "delicious/tasty"; "ua ʻono" describes the resultant state of being delicious

3. He aha kou mea pāʻani punahele?

   He a-ha kou me-a pā-ʻa-ni pu-na-he-le

   What is your favorite toy?

   Usage

   Ask a child about their favorite toy or game

   Grammar Note

   "mea pāʻani" literally means "thing to play with" — the Hawaiian word for toy

4. E ʻike i ka nani o ke kai!

   E ʻi-ke i ka na-ni o ke kai

   Look at the beauty of the ocean!

   Usage

   Point out the beauty of the ocean to a child

   Grammar Note

   "ʻike" means "to see/know/understand" — in Hawaiian, seeing and knowing share the same root

5. E moe i kēia manawa

   E mo-e i kē-ia ma-na-wa

   It is time to sleep now

   Usage

   Tell a child it is time to go to sleep

   Grammar Note

   "moe" = "to lie down/sleep"; "manawa" is a multivalent word meaning "time/moment/heart/spirit"

6. Nui loa koʻu aloha iā ʻoe

   Nu-i lo-a ko-ʻu a-lo-ha iā ʻoe

   I love you very much

   Usage

   Express love to a child — a phrase from parent to child

   Grammar Note

   "aloha" = "love/affection/greeting/compassion"; "nui loa" is an emphatic intensifier meaning "very/greatly"

7. E ʻai kākou

   E ʻa-i kā-kou

   Let's all eat together

   Usage

   Call children to eat at mealtime

   Grammar Note

   "ʻai" = "to eat"; "e" + verb + "kākou" forms an inclusive hortative "let's all do X"

8. Maikaʻi loa!

   Mai-ka-ʻi lo-a

   Very well done! / Excellent!

   Usage

   Praise a child for doing something well

   Grammar Note

   "maikaʻi" is the most common Hawaiian word for "good/fine/excellent"; "loa" intensifies it

9. He wā ʻoluʻolu kēia

   He wā ʻo-lu-ʻo-lu kē-ia

   This is a pleasant time

   Usage

   Describe a fun or pleasant time during activities

   Grammar Note

   "ʻoluʻolu" is reduplication of "ʻolu" (comfortable/pleasant); means "very pleasant/kind/gentle"

10. Pehea ʻoe i kēia lā?

    Pe-hea ʻoe i kē-ia lā

    How are you today?

    Usage

    Check in with a child about how they are feeling today

    Grammar Note

    "lā" = "sun/day"; "i kēia lā" = "on this day/today"; "pehea" asks about manner or condition

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