Hawaiian Greetings and Phrases
Greetings for every time of day, thanks, goodbyes and good wishes, with pronunciation.
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You only need a handful of Hawaiian greetings and phrases to make a good impression: a greeting for the time of day, a thank you, a goodbye and one or two good wishes. Here they are with simple pronunciation guides. Vowels are said as in Spanish or Italian (a = ah, e = eh, i = ee, o = oh, u = oo), and the ʻokina is a brief catch in the voice.
| Phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aloha | ah-LOH-hah | Hello, goodbye, love |
| Aloha kakahiaka | ah-LOH-hah kah-kah-hee-AH-kah | Good morning |
| Aloha awakea | ah-LOH-hah ah-vah-KAY-ah | Good midday (late morning to early afternoon) |
| Aloha ʻauinalā | ah-LOH-hah ow-ee-nah-LAH | Good afternoon |
| Aloha ahiahi | ah-LOH-hah ah-hee-AH-hee | Good evening |
| E komo mai | eh KOH-moh my | Welcome, come in |
| Pehea ʻoe? | peh-HEH-ah OH-eh | How are you? |
| Maikaʻi | my-KAH-ee | Good, fine (the answer to pehea ʻoe) |
| Mahalo | mah-HAH-loh | Thank you |
| Mahalo nui loa | mah-HAH-loh NOO-ee LOH-ah | Thank you very much |
| ʻAʻole pilikia | ah-OH-leh pee-lee-KEE-ah | No problem, you’re welcome |
| A hui hou | ah HOO-ee HOH | Until we meet again |
| Mālama pono | MAH-lah-mah POH-noh | Take care |
Pronunciation guides are approximate; the w in awakea is often said as a soft v. For the rules behind Hawaiian spelling and sound, see the alphabet guide on Hawaiian Information.
Wishes for Celebrations
- Hauʻoli lā hānau (how-OH-lee LAH HAH-now) — Happy birthday.
- Hauʻoli makahiki hou (how-OH-lee mah-kah-HEE-kee HOH) — Happy New Year.
- Mele Kalikimaka (MEH-leh kah-lee-kee-MAH-kah) — Merry Christmas.
- Hoʻomaikaʻi (hoh-oh-my-KAH-ee) — Congratulations.
- Aloha au iā ʻoe (ah-LOH-hah OW EE-ah OH-eh) — I love you.
- Hauʻoli lā hoʻomanaʻo — Happy anniversary.
These phrases are lovely written on a card that goes with a lei, or said at a celebration dinner. If you are planning a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday trip, the airport lei greeting is a natural place to use them.
Local Greetings You Will Hear
Everyday island speech mixes Hawaiian, English and Pidgin, the creole language of Hawaii. Beyond the Hawaiian greetings and phrases above, you will hear “howzit” (how is it going), “shoots” (okay, see you), “brah” (friend) and “auntie” or “uncle” for any respected older person, related or not. Visitors are better off listening than imitating Pidgin, but using aloha, mahalo and a hui hou is always welcome.
Want the vocabulary beyond greetings, from ʻohana to mauka and makai? It is on Hawaiian Information. Things to do once you arrive are on Best of Honolulu, Maui Planner, Best of Hawaii Island and Best of Kauai.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “welcome” in Hawaiian?
E komo mai, which means come in. You will see it on doors and signs. Aloha is also used as a welcome, and hotels often greet guests with both.
What are good Hawaiian greetings for friends?
Aloha with a hug, “howzit” in Pidgin, or “pehea ʻoe?” (how are you). Close with a hui hou or mālama pono.
Say Aloha in Person
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