Monthly Archives: December 2015

n. Friend. Lit., beloved companion. Cf. aloha. Kona hoaloha, his friend. hoʻo.hoa.loha To make friends, be friendly, befriend. Today’s “He Momi” is dedicated to my hoaaloha, Nani. Today she celebrates her birthday. She and I started out as hula sisters and have remained … Continue reading →

nvs. Safe, saved, rescued; convalescent; to ward off, brush aside, rescue, protect; to recover from illness; defense, savior, safety, security. Three more days until we welcome in 2016. With all the money fireworks blowing up here in Hawai’i, it can … Continue reading →

Vacation; to take a rest or vacation; to retire, stop work; to obtain relief; to pause; rest in music (types are hoʻomaka poʻo, a whole rest; hoʻomaha poʻoʻele, a quarter rest; hoʻomaha poʻolima, a half rest; hoʻomaha poʻomana, an eighth … Continue reading →

nvs. Peace, quiet, security, tranquillity, serenity; safety; solemn awe and stillness that reigned during some of the ancient taboo ceremonies; peaceful, restful.  hoʻo.malu.hia To cause or give peace, protect; to arbitrate between warring parties. Moe ka ma maluhia lani – … Continue reading →

vs. Calm, quiet, serene, pacific, still, silent, tranquil, gentle, gradual; calmly, slowly, softly, quietly.  hoʻo.mālie To calm, quiet, hush, soothe, lull, ease pain. (PPN maalie.) One of several words expressing peacefulness is mālie. Calm, quiet, serene (and more). Mālie conjours thoughts … Continue reading →

nvt. Hope, confidence, expectation; to hope Manaʻolana (one of the three greatest things) is an interesting word. Again, like yesterday’s word, manaʻoʻiʻo, manaʻolana has the same “prefix”, manaʻo, meaning thought, idea, opinion. –Lana is a nominalizing suffix and can be … Continue reading →

nvt. Faith, confidence; to have faith, confidence; to believe. Kumu manaʻoʻiʻo, creed. Pelika o ka manaʻoʻiʻo, covenant of faith. Manaʻoiʻo Nīkine, Nicene creed. Ua manaʻoʻiʻo i ke Akua, [he] believes in God. This Christmas season brings to mind many hīmeni Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian hymns, that … Continue reading →

Continue to do good until the heavens come down to you This is a perfect ʻōlelo noʻeau (wise saying) for this holiday season. Tis the season of goodwill, although the season should last all year. This ʻōlelo noʻeau speaks about … Continue reading →

Christmas tree ornament Today’s He Momi is simple enough and related to yesterday’s. Wehi literally means decoration, adornment, or ornament. It also refers to a song composed as an adornment or a song honoring someone. A good example of this … Continue reading →

  Christmas Tree Okay I am posting these words in hopes that it will get me in the spirit. How about you? In the past, we cut down our own homegrown norfolk pine lāʻau kalikimaka. It was so depressing to … Continue reading →