Author Archives: Liana

1. n. A general name for all kinds of plants living under water, both fresh and salt, also algae growing in any damp place in the air, as on the ground, on rocks, and on other plants; also mosses, liverworts, … Continue reading →

Reduplication of hānupa, surging, swollen; choppy, as the sea; slippery, muddy. When I was growing up there was a catchy tune with the phrase, “E hele au ma ke kai, ma ke kai hānupanupa,” which means, I will go to … Continue reading →

Spider Today’s word is a nananana because I think it is one of the fun words to teach in a Hawaiian language class. Nananana is the Hawaiian word for spider. Anykine. Hawaiʻi has native nananana, the most popular being the happy … Continue reading →

Hawaiian short-eared owl The Pueo, or Asio Flames Sandwichensis, is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. What is the difference between endemic and indigenous, you ask? Okay maybe you didn’t ask but here goes anyways. Endemic means it is native (came … Continue reading →

Eagle While we don’t have eagles of any sort in our islands, I am always amazed if and when I see one in North America. Aren’t they magnificent? Ua lankila nā ʻAeko – The Eagles won. E lele me he … Continue reading →

1. n. General name for marine and land shells; beads, snail (Biblical). Lei pūpū ō Niʻihau, shell beads of Niʻihau. See lei pūpū. Mehe pūpū lā e heheʻe ana (Hal. 58.8), like the snail that dissolves [into slime]. (PCP puupuu.) … Continue reading →

ALOHA!!! (Imagine me standing in front of you, drawing out that aloha in a greeting and a hug begging you to welcome me back into your life)… ʻO kēia ka lā mua o ka mahina ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, ʻo ia hoʻi, … Continue reading →

To thank, bless, render thanks, congratulate, make acceptable, praise, improve, perfect, correct; grateful, gratified, thankful.  Tomorrow, many families throughout the nation will celebrate the holiday we know as Thanksgiving. My family will set aside the stories we learned in school … Continue reading →

1. To carry, bear, lift, elevate, raise, hoist, holdup. 2. Pregnant; to conceive. Ironic, isn’t it, that the word for carry is also the word for pregnancy or to be pregnant – hāpai. If a wahine says she is hāpai, … Continue reading →