#culture
Found 62 words matching this tag.
ʻūliʻūli
(OO-lee-OO-lee)
A traditional Hawaiian gourd rattle containing seeds and topped with colored feathers, used as an instrument in hula.
ʻŌlelo
(oh-LEH-loh)
Language, speech, or words; often used specifically to refer to the Hawaiian language (ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi).
ʻanoʻai
(ah-no-AH-ee)
A traditional Hawaiian greeting or salutation; a formal expression of welcome similar to aloha.
vinha d'alhos
(VEEN-yah DAHL-yoosh)
A traditional Portuguese marinade made of vinegar, garlic, wine, and spices.
tī
(TEE)
A culturally significant plant (Cordyline fruticosa) with long green or red leaves, widely used in Hawaii for cooking (laulau), making leis, hula skirts, and spiritual protection or good luck.
taro
(TAH-roh)
A tropical plant cultivated primarily for its edible corms, which are a traditional staple food in Hawaii used to make poi, as well as for its large, elephant ear-shaped leaves used in cooking.
scrip
(SKRIP)
Paper money, redeemable vouchers, or tickets used as currency at school fairs, carnivals, and local events.
pāpāhānumoku
(pah-pah-HAH-now-MOH-koo)
The Hawaiian goddess and Earth Mother, progenitor of the Hawaiian archipelago and its people.
puʻili
(poo-EE-lee)
Bamboo rattles used as percussion instruments in hula dancing, made by splitting a length of bamboo into thin strips.
pueo
(poo-EH-oh)
The Hawaiian short-eared owl, an endemic species often regarded as an 'aumakua (ancestral guardian spirit) and a sign of good fortune, guidance, or protection.
potluck
(pot-LUCK)
A communal gathering or party where every guest brings a dish to share, deeply ingrained in local Hawaii culture as the standard way to host events.
poi
(POY)
A traditional Hawaiian staple food made by mashing cooked taro (kalo) corms and adding water, resulting in a smooth, viscous paste.
pocho
(POH-cho)
A person of Portuguese descent in Hawaii; also used as an adjective to describe local Portuguese culture, food, or traits.
plate lunch
(PLAYT-LUNCH)
A quintessential Hawaiian meal served on a divided paper or styrofoam plate, typically consisting of two scoops of white rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and a main protein like teriyaki beef, kalua pig, or chicken katsu.
paʻu
(pah-OO)
A traditional Hawaiian skirt, especially one worn for hula dancing or by female horseback riders in parades.
pareo
(pah-REH-oh)
A wraparound skirt or piece of cloth worn as clothing, similar to a sarong or lavalava.
paniolo pipi
(pah-nee-OH-loh PEE-pee)
A traditional Hawaiian cowboy; specifically a cattle rancher or someone who works directly with cattle.
paniolo
(pah-nee-OH-loh)
A Hawaiian cowboy; someone who works with cattle and horses in Hawaii.
palapalai
(pah-lah-pah-LIE)
An indigenous Hawaiian fern (Microlepia strigosa) known for its delicate, lacy fronds, highly valued and commonly used in traditional lei making and hula adornments.
pahu
(PAH-hoo)
A drum, specifically a traditional Hawaiian drum made from a hollowed log and shark or ray skin.
oli
(OH-lee)
A traditional Native Hawaiian chant performed without musical instruments or hula dancing, often used for blessings and protocols.
muʻumuʻu
(MOO-oo-MOO-oo)
A loose-fitting Hawaiian dress, often brightly colored or featuring floral patterns, traditionally worn for comfort and formal occasions.
mana
(MAH-nah)
Spiritual power, divine energy, authority, or life force inherent in people, places, and things.
makaʻāinana
(mah-kah-EYE-nah-nah)
Citizen, commoner, or everyday person of the land; the general public or grassroots community as opposed to the elite or government.
makahiki
(mah-kah-HEE-kee)
The ancient Hawaiian New Year festival, a four-month period of peace, sports, and religious festivities honoring Lono.
maile
(MY-leh)
A native Hawaiian vine with shiny, fragrant leaves, highly prized for making traditional open-ended lei used in weddings, graduations, and special ceremonies.
loko kuapā
(LOH-koh koo-ah-PAH)
A traditional Hawaiian fishpond enclosed by a seawall built of stacked rock or coral, used for sustainable aquaculture.
loko iʻa
(LOH-koh EE-ah)
A traditional Hawaiian fishpond, typically built along the shoreline with rock walls to enclose and cultivate fish for the community.
lei poʻo
(LAY POH-oh)
A garland or wreath made from flowers, leaves, ferns, or shells, specifically worn on the head.
lehua
(leh-HOO-ah)
The blossom of the native ʻōhiʻa tree, culturally significant in Hawaii and often associated with Pele, hula, and rain.
lauhala
(low-HAH-lah)
The leaves of the hala tree (Pandanus tectorius), traditionally dried, prepared, and used for weaving mats, hats, and baskets.
kālaʻau
(KAH-lah-OW)
Traditional Hawaiian stick dancing, where dancers strike wooden sticks together to create a rhythmic beat.
kupeʻe
(koo-PEH-eh)
A bracelet or anklet, traditionally made from shells, bone, or dog teeth, often worn by hula dancers.