Slang

1. Pau

   Done / finished

   Usage

   Safe with anyone; if a server asks "Pau?", they mean "are you finished?"

2. Pau hana

   After work

   Usage

   Safe with anyone; a bar's "pau hana special" is the local happy hour

3. Hana hou

   One more time / encore

   Usage

   Safe with anyone; the standard shout for an encore at a show

4. Holoholo

   To go out for fun

   Usage

   Fine with friends and elders alike; it carries the sense of heading out with no fixed plan

5. Hui!

   Hey! (calling out)

   Usage

   Use it to hail friends, family, or people you know — not a stranger who is your senior. As a noun it also means a club or group

6. Auē

   Oh no! / wow!

   Usage

   An exclamation anyone can use, covering surprise, dismay, or sympathy; also spelled "auwē"

7. Wikiwiki

   Quick / hurry

   Usage

   Fine generally, though telling a senior to hurry is best avoided; Honolulu airport's inter-terminal shuttle is the Wiki Wiki Shuttle

8. Akamai

   Smart / clever

   Usage

   A compliment, so safe with anyone; it also shows up in local company names

9. Kōkua

   Help / cooperation

   Usage

   Safe with anyone; often mixed into English signage as "Mahalo for your kōkua"

10. Mauka

    Toward the mountains

    Usage

    Used by everyone; locals give directions with this instead of compass points

11. Makai

    Toward the sea

    Usage

    The opposite of "mauka", as in "turn makai at the second light"

12. Kamaʻāina

    Local resident

    Usage

    Safe with anyone; shops offer a "kamaʻāina rate" to anyone with Hawaiʻi state ID

13. Malihini

    Newcomer / visitor

    Usage

    Descriptive rather than insulting; saying "He malihini au" about yourself goes down well

14. Kapu

    Forbidden / off-limits

    Usage

    Seen on signs; it also carries a cultural and religious sense of taboo, so always respect it

15. ʻAʻole pilikia

    No problem

    Usage

    Safe with anyone; works as a reply to "mahalo" and to an apology alike

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