Olelo of the Week | University of Ჹɲʻ System News /news News from the University of Hawaii Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:33:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /news/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-UHNews512-1-32x32.jpg Olelo of the Week | University of Ჹɲʻ System News /news 32 32 28449828 Hawaiian Word of the Week: Nohea /news/2026/06/23/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-nohea/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:33:41 +0000 /news/?p=236457 Nohea—Handsome, pretty, lovely of fine appeareance; a handsome or fine looking person.

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—Handsome, pretty, lovely of fine appeareance; a handsome or fine looking person.

More ʻŌ of the Week

He nohea ʻoe i kuʻu maka (You are lovely in my eyes).”

Kealiʻi DeMello, he haumāna ʻōlelo 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Manakuke /news/2026/06/16/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-manakuke/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:32:56 +0000 /news/?p=236129 Manakuke—mongoose.

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—Mongoose.

More ʻŌ of the Week

Ua holo ka Manakuke ma luna o ke alanui (The Manakuke ran across the road).”

—Noel Mendoza, he haumāna ʻōlelo 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: dzDZ /news/2026/06/09/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-kohola/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:18:33 +0000 /news/?p=235867 dzDZ—Humpback whale, forcing up the water like waves hitting a reef, reef flats.

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—Humpback whale, forcing up the water like waves hitting a reef, reef flats.

More ʻŌ of the Week

E ola i ke kai ma ka leo o nā koholā (The sea is alive with the voices of the humpback whales).”

—Hunter Landt, he haumāna ʻōlelo 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: ū쾱 /news/2026/05/26/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-puliki/ Wed, 27 May 2026 00:20:55 +0000 /news/?p=234766 ū쾱—to embrace with arms, as in a hug, or holding an infant.

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—To embrace with arms, as in a hug, or holding an infant.

More ʻŌ of the Week

ū쾱 wau i kaʻu mau keiki i kēlā me kēia lā. (I embrace my children every day.)”

—LaurieAnn Takeno, he haumāna ʻōlelo 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Maui Komohana /news/2026/04/28/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-maui-komohana/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:35:53 +0000 /news/?p=233276 Maui Komohana—West; Western Maui.

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—West; Western Maui.

More ʻŌ of the Week

“Kaulana nui loa ʻo Mokuʻula i Maui Komohana i kona kapu loa. (Mokuʻula Western Maui is very famous due to its sacredness.)”

—Melelani Seiki, he haumāna ʻōlelo 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu a me Ke Kulanui Kaiāulu o Maui (Honolulu Community College and 鶹ýMaui College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Leʻaleʻa /news/2026/04/21/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-lealea/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:01:27 +0000 /news/?p=232741 Leʻaleʻa—Fun; to have a good time.

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—Fun; to have a good time.

More ʻŌ of the Week

E leʻaleʻa kēlā lā me kēia lā. (Everyday should be fun.)”

—Maluhia Nahuina, he haumāna ʻŌ 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: DZ /news/2026/04/14/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-malolo/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:48:19 +0000 /news/?p=232305 DZ—Flying fish.

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—Flying fish.

More ʻŌ of the Week

Ka iʻa lele me he manu (The fish that flies like a bird).”
ʻŌ Noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) 1364

—Sean Mills, he haumāna ʻŌ 鶹ý (Hawaiian language student), Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Akamai /news/2026/04/07/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-akamai/ Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:35:35 +0000 /news/?p=231898 Akamai—Clever, Wise.

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—Clever, Wise.

More ʻŌ of the Week

“Makemake au e akamai kākou a pau (I wish that we may all become wise).”

—Karuna Wiese, ʻŌ 鶹ý (Hawaiian language) Student, Honolulu Community College

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Waiho /news/2026/03/24/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-waiho/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:07:08 +0000 /news/?p=231243 Waiho—To leave or place something.

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—To leave or place something.

All ʻŌ of the Week

E waiho mai i ka mea ʻai ma laila (Leave the food there).”

—Kilia Hare, Hawaiian language student, Honolulu Community College

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: ī /news/2026/03/10/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-niele/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 01:49:59 +0000 /news/?p=230497 ī—To be curious.

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—To be curious.

All ʻŌ of the Week

“Ua nīele keiki ma loko o ka ʻeke. (The children were curious to look inside of the bag).”

—Kiniki Carlson, Hawaiian language student, Honolulu Community College

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Nahunaiki /news/2026/02/24/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-nahunaiki/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:34:03 +0000 /news/?p=229976 Nahunaiki—Little bites.

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Nahunaiki

—Little bites (a new word developed for the cookie cutter shark)

All ʻŌ of the Week

Hauʻoli Lorenzo-Elarco, Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Language, Honolulu Community College

This newly introduced Hawaiian name for the cookie cutter shark is part of recently published research on one of the ocean’s most elusive predators, which Lorenzo-Elarco co-authored.

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more ʻōlelo 鶹ý definitions and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Huliau /news/2026/02/17/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-huliau/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:57:49 +0000 /news/?p=229508 Huliau—Turning point, a time of change.

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—Turning point, a time of change.

All ʻŌ of the Week

“Huliau speaks to those pivotal moments when life turns and invites transformation. Like the shifting winds and changing seasons, these transitions call us to reflect, recalibrate and move forward with renewed purpose. While change can bring uncertainty, it also creates space for growth, deeper understanding and new possibility. Huliau reminds us that change is not an ending, but a continuation—shaping who we are and guiding the path ahead.”

—Jaime Kanani Green, First Lady of 鶹ý and proud graduate of the UH William S. Richardson School of Law.

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Makani nui /news/2026/02/10/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-makani-nui/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:42:09 +0000 /news/?p=229341 Makani nui—strong wind.

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—Strong wind.

All ʻŌ of the Week

Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o 鶹ý ma Mānoa (University of 鶹ý at Mānoa)

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Peni /news/2026/01/27/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-peni/ Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:27:45 +0000 /news/?p=228763 Peni—pen, pencil.

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—Pen, pencil.

All ʻŌ of the Week

Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o 鶹ý ma Mānoa (University of 鶹ý at Mānoa)

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Lula /news/2026/01/20/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-lula/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:05:25 +0000 /news/?p=228443 Lula—Ruler, measuring stick.

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—Ruler, measuring stick.

All ʻŌ of the Week

—Grant Nakasone, journalism major, University of 鶹ý at Mānoa.

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Kikokiko /news/2026/01/13/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-kikokiko/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:28:35 +0000 /news/?p=228262 Kikokiko—to type.

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—To type.

All ʻŌ of the Week

“A new semester means new ideas, new challenges and many hours set aside simply to kikokiko our thoughts into motion.”

Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o 鶹ý ma Mānoa (University of 鶹ý at Mānoa)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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鶹ýNews ʻŌ of the Week 2025 /news/2025/12/30/uh-news-olelo-of-the-week-2025/ Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:15:12 +0000 /news/?p=227329 Mahalo to the students, faculty and staff members who shared words that inspired them, and we look forward to more words in the new year!

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Fern with the text Olelo of the Week

In 2025, ʻōlelo Ჹɲʻ speakers and students in the UH community shared their favorite Hawaiian words. Mahalo to the students, faculty and staff members who shared words that inspired them, and we look forward to more words in the new year!

This year the UH Hilo chose kāhuli as the 2025 ܲʻō (Word) of the Year. Kāhuli conveys the meaning “to change, to alter, to overturn.” In the Kumulipo, kāhuli describes the transformation that warmed the earth and unfolded the heavens, catalyzing the formation of the universe itself.

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Lipine /news/2025/12/16/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-lipine/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:29:15 +0000 /news/?p=227110 Lipine—ribbon.

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All ʻŌ of the Week

—Ribbon.

“Expect plenty of lipine this holiday season because it’s often the care you notice most.”

Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o 鶹ý ma Mānoa (University of 鶹ý at Mānoa)

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: Hoʻokipa /news/2025/12/09/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-hookipa/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:13:57 +0000 /news/?p=226712 Hoʻokipa—To entertain, treat hospitably; hospitable; hospitality.

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All ʻŌ of the Week

—To entertain, treat hospitably; hospitable; hospitality.

“Heading into the holidays, we find ourselves ready to hoʻokipa the people we love, filling our hale (home) with deep aloha, laughter and connection.”

Moanikeʻala Nabarro, Office of Communications, Ke Kulanui o 鶹ý ma Mānoa (University of 鶹ý at Mānoa)

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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Hawaiian Word of the Week: ʱū /news/2025/11/18/hawaiian-word-of-the-week-pelehu/ Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:14:29 +0000 /news/?p=225692 ʱū—Turkey.

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All ʻŌ of the Week

—Turkey.

“Sending warm holiday wishes, no matter if you’re piling up on pelehū or going back for dessert, I hope you’re sharing it with those you care about most.”

——Grant Nakasone, journalism major, University of 鶹ý at Mānoa.

Check back for more ʻōlelo 鶹ý.

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the UH Hilo .

Olelo of the week

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