kupuna (koo-POO-nah)
sometimes: kūpuna, kupunas, kūpunas
Noun A grandparent, elder, or ancestor; a respected older person who carries traditional knowledge and authority.
"My kupuna tell me plenny stories 'bout da old days."
ʻamaʻama (ah-MAH-ah-MAH)
sometimes: 'ama'ama, amaama, ama ama
Noun Mullet (Mugil cephalus), a highly prized indigenous fish in Hawaii often raised in traditional fishponds or caught along the shoreline.
"We goin catch ʻamaʻama fo dinna tonigh."
go mo' bettah (go-mo-BET-tah)
sometimes: go mo better, go mo betta, go more better
Idiom To improve upon something; to do a better job next time.
"Try again, go mo' bettah dis time."
bolo head (BOH-loh-HED)
sometimes: bolohead, bolo-head
Noun A bald head; a person with no hair.
"Da game stay bus, we stay bolo head."
bango (BANG-go)
sometimes: banggo
Exclamation A celebratory shout used when successfully hooking or landing a large fish; got one!
"Bango! Got one big ulua!"
scrip (SKRIP)
sometimes: scrips
Noun Paper money, redeemable vouchers, or tickets used as currency at school fairs, carnivals, and local events.
"We need fo buy mo scrip so we can play da games at da carnival."