banana (bah-NAH-nah)
Slang A derogatory or teasing term for an Asian American person who has assimilated entirely into white American culture (yellow on the outside, white on the inside).
"Since Yuki went college mainland, she came back one total banana, only drinking oat milk lattes and talking like one valley girl."
manapua (mah-nah-POO-ah)
sometimes: mea ʻono puaʻa, mea ono puaa
Noun A steamed or baked bun filled with sweet roast pork (char siu) or other fillings; Hawaii's version of the Chinese bao.
"Ho da manapua from fukashima wen broke da mout!"
hānai (HAH-nigh)
sometimes: hanai
Verb To adopt or foster a child, often informally within extended family or close friends.
"She wen hānai three keiki and raise dem like her own"
menehune (meh-neh-HOO-neh)
sometimes: menehunes
Noun An ancient and mythical race of small people in Hawaiian tradition known for their craftsmanship and ability to build structures overnight; also used playfully to describe unseen forces that move or fix things.
"Dey say da Menehune wen' build da fishpond at Alekoko."
pão doce (POW DOH-see)
sometimes: pao doce, sweet bread, Portuguese sweet bread, pao dos
Noun Portuguese sweet bread; a soft, slightly sweet, egg-rich round loaf of bread brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, often used for making French toast or eaten warm with butter.
"Get pão doce from da bakery"
hau'oli makahiki hou (how-OH-lee mah-kah-HEE-kee HO)
sometimes: hauoli makahiki hou, hauʻoli makahiki hou
Expression Happy New Year.
"Eh, hau'oli makahiki hou guys, hope dis year stay bettah for all of us!"