dem

In Hawaiian Pidgin, "dem" is the universal pronoun used in place of the English words "them" or "those." It is an essential, everyday vocabulary word spoken by locals across all islands, regardless of age or background. The word perfectly illustrates a common phonetic shift in Pidgin where the English "th" sound is replaced by a hard "d" or "t" sound, making it faster and easier to say in casual conversation.

While it can be used exactly like its English counterpart, it is most frequently paired with other words to form collective nouns, such as "dem guys" (those people) or "we go with dem" (we are going with them). It is completely appropriate for informal daily use, though it is typically avoided in highly formal or professional written contexts. Understanding and using "dem" correctly is one of the foundational steps to grasping the natural rhythm and flow of local speech.

Paulo leaned against the tailgate of his Tacoma, squinting through the dust at the new Kailua-Kona subdivision site. He took a slow drag of his cigarette and pointed with his chin toward the foundation trench. Down in the dirt, Clifton was trying to explain the lava rock grading to the three new project managers from California, who were all wearing matching spotless Red Wing boots and pointing at an iPad.

"Look at dem," Paulo muttered, shaking his head. "Clifton telling um the blue rock underneath is too solid for the small excavator, and dem guys just tapping the screen like the iPad gonna magically break the rock for um."

Kai snorted, kicking a loose piece of gravel. "Every time. Dem mainland guys think because they got the degree, they know the 'aina better than the guy who been digging it for twenty years. Just wait till the machine breaks. Then dem gonna be asking Clifton how for fix um."