i mua

"I mua" is a deeply ingrained Hawaiian phrase meaning "to go forward" or "move ahead," used by locals across all islands as a powerful rallying cry. It is most famously associated with King Kamehameha I, whose legendary battle command was "I mua e nā pōkiʻi a inu i ka wai ʻawaʻawa" (Forward, my younger brothers, and drink of the bitter waters). Today, it is heavily utilized in sports—especially outrigger canoe paddling, high school football, and University of Hawaii athletics—to motivate a team before a big push. Beyond athletics, it serves as an everyday expression of resilience and encouragement when facing personal hardships, reminding people to keep moving forward no matter the obstacle. While it is universally appropriate to use as a positive affirmation, it carries a weight of cultural pride and should be spoken with genuine intent rather than as a casual throwaway remark.

Kekoa stood near the seawall at Kailua Pier, casually leaning his full weight on a brand-new, custom-carved koa steering paddle. The morning sun was already baking the asphalt, but he didn't care. He wanted everyone from Kai 'Opua to Keauhou to see his new blade. "Brah, you see the grain on this?" he asked loudly to nobody in particular, making sure the novice crew stretching nearby could hear. "Guaranteed we taking first in our division for Queen Lili'uokalani this year. The other clubs ain't even ready for the horsepower we bringing."

He slapped the blade of the paddle, the sharp smack echoing over the gentle lap of the tide. "We got two guys from Hilo side who pull like tractors, and me steering? Forget about it. Straight line from Honaunau to the pier. No zig-zag nonsense." He puffed out his chest, adjusting his polarized Oakleys. "When I yell 'I mua' off the start line, you better hold on tight, 'cause we leaving everybody else eating our wake."