imu(EE-moo) (n) Hawaiian cooking pit, underground oven.
Example
English: Let’s have a clam bake!
Pidgin: Fire up da imu!
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of Hawaiian and Pidgin words, definitions, and usage please click on
akamai(ah-kah-mai) (nvs) Smart, clever, expert.
Example
English: Billy! Straight As! You’re so smart!
Pidgin: Billy! You no get caught? Akamai buggah, ah you?!
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of Hawaiian and Pidgin words, definitions, and usage please click on
kulolo(koo-loh-loh) (n) Thick Hawaiian coconut and taro pudding often served in slices.
Example
English: Mom! This fudge is weird! It doesn’t even taste like chocolate.
Pidgin: Get kulolo? Awesome!
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of Hawaiian and Pidgin words, definitions, and usage please click on
pāhoehoe(PAH-hoe-hoe) (n) A type of lava that is smooth and often slick when wet.
Example
English: Billy! Don’t run! This lava is really smooth and—it’s okay! Don’t cry!
Pidgin: What I said? Das wet pāhoehoe, lōlō. You run like that in slippahs of course you going break your head.
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of Hawaiian and Pidgin words, definitions, and usage please click on
(poh-poh AH-nee-AH-nee) (n) Glass balls or floats found on Hawaiian beaches that usually originated from fishing nets in Asia.
Example
English: How much for that little glass ball? It will look perfect on the patio!
Pidgin: Try look! Pōpō aniani! We go sell ’um to the tourists!
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of Hawaiian and Pidgin words, definitions, and usage please click on
(HOH-loh-HOH-loh) (v) Pidgin for going out and finding some fun.
Example
English: “Lilinoe, let us get in your car and drive up and down main street and see what others are doing. Perhaps we can meet young men with whom we can converse.”
Pidgin: “Lili! We go holoholo!”
Note: ‘Ōlelo is a Hawaiian word meaning language, speech, word, etc. To see the current list of Hawaiian and Pidgin words, definitions, and usage please click on