mauna

The word "mauna" is the traditional Hawaiian term for mountain or mountainous region, and it has been fully integrated into everyday local vocabulary across the Hawaiian archipelago. It is used by everyone from native Hawaiian practitioners and local residents to geologists and tour guides. While it is most famously recognized in the names of massive shield volcanoes like Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Hawaii Island, locals use it to refer to any significant peak or mountain range.

Using "mauna" is always appropriate when discussing geography, giving directions, or referring to the upland areas of an island. In recent years, the word has also taken on deep political and cultural resonance, particularly during the protests surrounding the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea, where "Ku Kiaʻi Mauna" (Stand as Guardians of the Mountain) became a unifying rallying cry. Because of this sacred association, visitors should use the term respectfully, avoiding using it as a cheap marketing buzzword or in ways that disrespect the profound spiritual connection Native Hawaiians have with these elevated, sacred spaces.

"Brah, I told you take the bypass, not the highway!" Keoni yelled from the passenger seat, slamming his hand on the dashboard of the lifted Tacoma. In the back, Bachan was already whacking his headrest with her folded up Longs Drugs receipt. "You boys so stupid! Now we going miss the first inning of the Kapa'a game! Look this traffic, all the way back to Wailua!" Next to her, cousin Bronson was trying to balance a plate of cold Zippy's chili frank on his knees while aggressively honking the horn at a rental Mustang that wasn't even moving.

"Relax, relax, I know one shortcut," Bronson insisted, cranking the steering wheel hard right toward a dirt road that looked more like a pig trail. "We just cut up behind the mauna and come down by the middle school." Keoni grabbed the handle above the door as the truck violently bounced over a massive pothole, sending half of Bronson's mac salad flying onto Bachan's floral blouse.

"What mauna?!" Bachan shrieked, frantically wiping mayonnaise off her chest. "This is Nounou, you lolo! The Sleeping Giant! You going drive us straight into his nose! Turn around right now before I make you walk home to Anahola!" But it was too late—the Tacoma was already wedged between two massive albizia trees, the Mustang was honking back at them, and Bronson was still trying to eat his hot dog with one hand.