Hawaiian Pidgin
A bikini smiles
sunlight on golden tan, the
whispered promise sure.
~Jay
haumāna
(how-MAH-nah) Hawaiian word for student.
Example
“Okay, haumāna, sit down. We begin with the first lua ‘ai I ever learned.” ~Uncle Kahana
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of words, definitions, and usage please click on ‘Ōlelo Archive.
nīele
(NEE-el-leh) (nvs) Nosey, to keep asking questions, busybody, curious in a rude way.
Example
After a summer spent avoiding our nīele questions about his lack of girlfriends and shepherding multi-bus stop excursions to the Honolulu Zoo, he’s counting the hours until he’s back at college and away from small town Lauele. ~ One Boy, No Water
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of words, definitions, and usage please click on ‘Ōlelo Archive.
His lines bold neon,
mine delicate lace. Who will
be our teacher’s pet?
~Zader
confunit
(con-FUN-it) Exclamation of frustration. Literally confound it.
Example
“Double-confunit with kūkae on the side,” he said. ~Uncle Kahana
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of words, definitions, and usage please click on ‘Ōlelo Archive.
Eye lid tape, lip gloss,
high heel wobble, being a girl
is not for tillies.
~Char Siu
lū‘au
(LOO-ow) (n) a Hawaiian celebration feast.
Example
“He’s getting more and more pupule every day. Talking to himself. Puttering around the reef and docks with that dog. Now he thinks he’s cooking a Christmas lū‘au for one hundred people. Like he even knows one hundred people for invite!” ~ Liz
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of words, definitions, and usage please click on ‘Ōlelo Archive
Dainty footsteps pause,
dance away from ocean spray,
lick the salty air.
~’Ilima
For more character haiku click here.
Next year all alone
No Jay, Char Siu to lean on
Just a punching bag
.
~Zader
For more character haiku click here.
mento
(MEN-tow) (nvs) Pidgin for crazy, not right in the head. Literally mental.
Example
English: Any sober adult who runs around the backyard shouting I’m a butterfly see me soar has a problem.
Pidgin: Cousin Eddie? Mento.
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of words, definitions, and usage please click on ‘Ōlelo Archive
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