20 Hawaiian-Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know

In Hawaii, mostly all locals and long-time residents speak Hawaiian Pidgin English, known locally as Pidgin. Everyday conversation's most common words and phrases can sometimes sound entirely foreign for visitors or new residents. Coupled with the traditional ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), learning to talk like a local can take some time! Here is a list of some of the more widespread phrases to get you through almost any conversation as if you've been doing it your whole life!

 

1. Bumbai (bum-bye) 

“otherwise,” “or else,” “later,” “later on”

“Bumbai we go beach.” 

 

2. Brah

Short for braddah, a casual way of addressing someone

“Brah, pass me the shoyu?

 

3. Broke Da Mouth

A way to describe how you’re feeling when you’re eating something super delicious. 

“This shave-ice so ʻono, broke da mouth kine.”

 

4. Chicken Skin

How locals describe goosebumps.

“My cousin can sing so good, gimme all kine chicken skin.” 

 

5. Choke

A way to say “a lot”. 

“Was choke people at the park today brah”

 

6. Da Kine 

Quite literally can mean anything you want. 

“You know da kine? they came over to the house da other day” 

 

7. Rajah

Slang for “roger”. 

"Make sure you bring plenty rice. Rajah dat!"

 

8. Grindz

Food or a meal

“Grandma's house always get good kine grindz”

 

9. Hana Hou (ha-nuh-ho)

Actually a Hawaiian phrase meaning, “to do again.” You’ll hear this often as a way to encourage an encore performance at a luau. 

“Hana hou! Hana hou! Hana hou!” 

 

10. Hamajang (ha-muh-jang)

When something is messed up. 

“My sista’s hair was all hamajang when she woke up” 

 

11. Holo Holo

To drive around or go exploring for fun. The Hawaiian word, “holoholo”, means “to go out for pleasure, stroll or promenade.”

“Me and my cousins always go holo holo on the weekends” 

 

12. Howzit 

The shortened version of “how is it”. Use this by way of greeting. 

“Make sure you tell everybody howzit when we go ova”

 

13. Kamaʻāina (ka-muh-ai-nah)

The literal Hawaiian definition means native-born, but many use kamaʻāina to people who are locals. Many stores offer kamaʻāina discounts to local residents with a Hawai’i ID. 

“Only kamaʻāina know that Long’s get good deals on Monday’s.” 

 

14. Kanak Attack (ku-nack-uh-tack)

The feeling of sleepiness after you eat a big and delicious meal. 

“Brah da food was so ono, get one kanak attack coming” 

 

15. Shoots

Used as a way to say “yes”, “for sure”, “alright”. 

“You guys like go surf? Shoots!” 

 

16. Slippahs

Slippers. 

“Make sure you take off your slippahs before going inside da house.” 

 

17. Mo’ bettah

Slang for “more better”

“This place get mo’ bettah sushi than da one down da street”

 

18. No moa. 

Slang for “no more”

“Sorry brah we no moa dat kine flavor”

 

19. No ack 

Stop showing off. Cool it.

“No ack like you da bes surfer”

 

20. Ni’ele (nee-eh-leh)

Nosy.

“No be ni’ele or you goin’ get it”