hau'oli makahiki hou

"Hau'oli makahiki hou" is the direct Hawaiian translation for "Happy New Year" (hau'oli = happy, makahiki = year, hou = new). While it is a traditional Hawaiian language phrase, it is universally used by locals of all backgrounds across Hawaii during the holiday season. You will hear it on local radio stations, see it printed on banners outside grocery stores, and hear it exchanged between friends, coworkers, and strangers from late December through January. It is completely appropriate for visitors to use and is considered a warm, respectful way to participate in local holiday greetings.

The rain was coming down sideways across the tin roof of the Keaukaha carport, but Brandon and Sione were already lining up the aerials for midnight. Sione was busy tapping away on his phone, sending out mass texts that just said "HNY" to everyone in his contacts. Mike, sitting on a folding chair and peeling a massive pile of garlic for the poke, shook his head at the glowing screen.

"You guys so lazy nowadays," Mike grumbled, tossing a garlic skin into a plastic KTA bag. "Cannot even type out the whole thing. What is 'HNY'? Sound like one sneeze. Back in the day, you actually had to call your aunties on the landline and tell them hau'oli makahiki hou, and then listen to them talk story for forty-five minutes about who died and who got married."

Brandon laughed, taping a Roman candle to a piece of rebar. "Yeah, but now I can wish fifty people happy new year in two seconds. Efficiency, man." Mike just sucked his teeth and went back to his garlic. "Efficiency going make you forget how for speak. When midnight hit, you bettah say hau'oli makahiki hou to my face, or you not getting any of this ahi."