1. n. Result, conclusion, sequel, ending, destiny, fate, consequence, effect, last.

Sometimes (actually, a lot of times) the Hawaiian language is so much simpler and to the point than English. Let’s use today’s He Momi for example. Look at all the translations. They all mean relatively the same thing: that which comes in the end. That’s exactly what hopena means: ending. We can take the “root” word of hopena which is hope (which is not pronounced like hope as in faith, hope and love. This one is pronounced like (Ma) Hope Joe for you old timers in Hawai‘i). Hope literally means after, behind, last, late. The –na is something like a suffix, kind of like end-ing.

What made me come up with today’s He Momi, hopena? It’s Aloha Friday!!! I always look forward to the hopena pule – weekend!

Here are some examples:

I hopena pule maika‘i  – Have a good weekend.

E ‘ike ana ‘oe i ka hopena o ia hana – You will see the result of those actions.

He hopena luahine/‘elemakule – the result of being an old lady/man.

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.