1. vi. Sneeze. Cf. mauli ola, kiha. (PPN tise.)

Actually there are other translations for this word, mostly to do with plant names. But we will learn it this week for “sneeze.”

In English we usually say “God bless you” or Gesundheit in German. In Hawaiian we say “Kihe a mauli ola”. In other words, sneeze, and may you have long life.” Mauli ola literally means breath of life, power of healing. More often, though, people will just say ola, when someone sneezes.

So next time the person next to you sneezes, say Kihe a mauli ola or just ola. and everything should turn out alright.

Copyright:  2015 – Liana Iaea Honda. All rights reserved. All versions of He Momi e Lei ai”, in its entirety, past and present, is the property of L. K. I. Honda. Reproduction and use of any kind other than the sharing of this website is prohibited. Alteration to the original content in any form is prohibited in every and any instance, and use in any other variant is prohibited without written consent of the author. Adress inquiries to: hemomi [at] gmail.com. Definitions and wise sayings are from: Hawaiian Dictionary by Pukui and Elbert, 1986. ʻŌlelo Noʻeau – Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings by Mary Kawena Pukui, 1983.