Author Archives: Liana

1. Chicken, red jungle chicken (Gallus gallus), fowl, as brought to Hawaiʻi by Polynesians; for some people, an ʻaumakua. Okay, the moa is not a native bird but it did play a big role in Hawaiʻi. Yes, we are talking … Continue reading →

1. nvi. A species of flycatcher with subspecies on Hawaiʻi (Chasiempis sandwichensis sandwichensis), Kauaʻi (C. sandwichensis sclateri), and Oʻahu (C. sandwichensis gayi). The Kauaʻi subspecies is also called ʻāpekepeke.  2. n. A native variety of taro; the leaves are mottled … Continue reading →

1. Black Hawaiian honey creeper (Drepanis pacifica): its yellow feathers above and below the tail were used in choicest featherwork. Formerly found only on Hawaiʻi, not seen since the 1880s. A Molokaʻi species was Drepanis funerea, not seen since the … Continue reading →

He goes away and, gaining nothing by it, returns to nurse at his mother’s breast. This is said of a grown son or daughter who, after going away, returns home for support. In the words of text messages, LOL. I … Continue reading →

Butter Today is the last of the waiū words for the week (we will do an ʻōlelo noʻeau tomorrow). Today’s word is waiūpaka – butter. In fact, the paka part in there comes from the English word, butter. You might … Continue reading →

Condensed milk. You are going to love this explanation. You already know that waiū is the Hawaiian word for milk. Kia is the word for deer. Why would condensed milk be called “deer milk”? I don’t think even the old … Continue reading →

Cheese Hawaiians didn’t drink milk (well, babies did, from their mothers) nor did they have cheese (no cows or goats to be found prior to late 1700s) so when cheese was introduced to Hawaiʻi they had to make up a … Continue reading →

n. Milk; a wet nurse; breast. Lit., breast liquid.  My cousin’s husband, in Denmark (shout out to Jon!!!), is making an effort to learn Hawaiian before they make a trip here. He was impressed that words related to milk are similar … Continue reading →

Conversation is pleasant when the inside is calm And the inside is calm because the people are full! They have eaten! The hunger has been satisfied. This is an ʻōlelo noʻeau that Hawaiians have perfected. You want a good turnout … Continue reading →

1. vt. To cast or troll, as for bonito, ʻahi, and kala. (PPN sii.) 2. nvt. Dysentery, diarrhea; to flow, hiss; to purge.  Wouldn’t you know it. At first I am dreaming (moemoeā) a good one. Then I had a … Continue reading →