Learn 5 Hawaiian water words to inspire our appreciation for such a vital resource. Water is an important life force in any culture and environment, but especially in Hawaii. Growing up on the Big Island, it rained nearly everyday in Hilo, but it was never a cause to complain. Water is life. Where there is water, there is life, and it is a blessing.
It was normal to carry an umbrella anywhere we went, as well as wear slippers, because our feet got wet anyways. Whether we went to the beach, sloshed through rainy streets, or splashed into a refreshing waterfall, we appreciate water.
I hope these Hawaiian water words inspire you to appreciate the importance of water and make an effort to conserve and keep clean this vital resource.
Read to the end for some exciting news too! 🙂 MAHALO for your continued aloha and support of me and this blog!
Rain
Ua, pronounced “oo-ah,” means rain in Hawaiian. You might hear Hawaiian water words like this during a chant or hula. There are other poetic ways to say “rain” but ua is the most frequently used, at least where I grew up. According to the Wehewehe dictionary, “rain or rains may signify joy, life, growth, greenery; good fortune (light rains, mist); grief, sorrow, and tears (heavy rains); the presence of gods or royalty, beauty; hardship.”
Ocean
“Moana” means ocean in Hawaiian. We pronounce moana the same way the Disney Moana pronounces it! This is a popular name, and not only because of the Disney movie. It represents the open ocean and used in names like Moana Pākīpika, the Pacific Ocean.
Sea
“Kai” is sea in Hawaiian. When giving directions in Hawaii, locals usually give it in terms of “makai” and “mauka.” Makai refers to the direction towards the ocean, and mauka refers to the direction towards the mountains. Many Hawaiian names use the word “kai,” either as simply Kai, Kekai (the sea), Kailani (heavenly sea), Kainani (beautiful sea), and so forth.
Water
I love the word for water in Hawaiian. Wai. Doesn’t it just sound so pretty? The “w” is usually pronounced with a “v” instead of a “w” sound. So the word sounds like “vai.” Water is so important to the Hawaiians. Their whole socioeconomic systems, the ahupu’a, were established along rivers and pie-shaped wedges of land that ran from the mountains to the sea. Wai is not a commonly used word by locals, but it is one that we know and appreciate.
Wave
Nalu, pronounced “nah-loo,” is wave in Hawaiian. There’s a reason “he’enalu” means surfing, because “he’e” means “to slip, slide, or surf” and “nalu” means “wave.” People commonly used nalu as a name in Hawaii, but I haven’t heard variations on the name. I’ve only known people named “Nalu,” with nothing added to it. If you have heard of a variation on the name Nalu, drop it in the comments! 🙂
Bonus water words:
I had a hard time choosing which words to place into this article, so I decided to add a few bonus Hawaiian water words!
Waterfall – Wailele
River – Kahawai, which literally means “place of water”
Beach – Kahakai, which literally means “place of sea”
🌺 Exciting News for Naturally Aloha!
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Let’s hear from you!
What is your favorite Hawaiian water word? Is there one that I missed? Or is there a Hawaiian name that has to do with water that you love? I’d love to hear from you! Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 🙂
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Outstanding
Outstanding website
Very educational and inspiring
I was looking for a site to learn more about Hawaiian culture
Mahalo nui loa Luz! I appreciate your kind words and I’m so glad you found my blog to be helpful and inspiring!
Aloha!
-Lei
Mahalo for your comment, I appreciate it! 🙂
-Lei
I have for 50 years wondered why there really hasn’t been a Hawaiian word for “your’e welcome”… Aloha and mahalo have always been the go to words for what they represent, but I have for years used the word “Mahaloha” for your’e welcome, seems to work for me
Aloha Tom,
Mahalo for stopping by the blog! The Hawaiian way to say “you’re welcome” is “a’ole pilikia,” which means “no problem.” I do love your creativity and use of the word “mahaloha” though. Very fun! 🙂
Sincerely,
Lei
I fondly remember my days growing up in Hawaii, I lived there from 2-10 or 11 years of age. It was heaven on earth for a child and I would imagine an adult as well..warm tropical days and nights, soft sand crunching under bare feet on shore, and my favorite sound in the world, that of soft wind rustling fronds of palms…..
Aloha Monte!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I love your descriptions of growing up in Hawaii. It is such a wonderful place to grow up! I looked at your photography page. Beautiful work!! Aloha and thanks for stopping by!
-Lei
I’m looking for a Hawaiian boy name with the word wai in it.
I have two daughters (Mahina and Alohilani) and a young son (Kaimana). During my wife’s pregnancy we’ve found ourselves back at streams and rivers enjoying life so bridging the name to our kids and experiences js important.
Any help is appreciated.
Aloha Kekoa!
Mahina, Alohilani, and Kaimana are wonderful names! Kawai is a simple name if you would like to incorporate “wai” into it. Here a few other names with “wai” that I can think of off the top of my head:
Kawailani – heavenly waters
Kawainani – beautiful waters
Kawaiola – living waters, water of life
Waiakea – broad waters, also name of locations throughout the islands
Waianuenue – rainbow in water, also name of waterfall on Big Island (aka Rainbow Falls)
Steer clear of “waia” by itself, as that means disgraceful or shameful. “Waina” means place of water but is also used in Pu’u o Waina, Punchbowl, where there were human sacrifices, so I would steer clear of that too.
I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Lei
Thanks so much for YOUR response! Aloha!