Glossary of words in the website and other local words used by Hawaii's people.

Please use your back button to go back to your original page.

A

B

barrack- a large plain building in which many people live in. In Hawaii the early Filipino male immigrants boarded together in these units.

bayao – stubborn headed (brother in law)

buraku-  villages

C

chicken fights- people gathering together to challenge roosters in a match.  A little dagger is tied to the legs of two roosters.  As though in a boxing match, the two roosters fly toward each other.  The rooster who is left standing is the winner.  The people who bet on the surviving rooster collect their bet money.

cumberbund- A broad sash, especially one that is pleated lengthwise and
worn as an article of formal dress, as with a dinner jacket.

D

da kine- a corruption of that kind a generalization used by people too lazy to think of the right word.

E

eskrima – martial art involving body movement using a stick

ethnic- The different races of people and their customs and characteristics

F

fiestas – dances and parties

G

H

haole- member of the so called " White Race"; Caucasion 

happi coat- a half length kimono; Traditionally worn at bon dances 

Hawaiian time- a little bit late 

hekka- Hawaiian version of the Japanese sukiyaki dish and only in Hawaii will you find pineapples and taro in it. 

Hina- Matsuri- Girls' Day, it is celebrated in Japan and in Hawaii.  This happens on March 3rd every year.  Japanese dolls are placed within the Japanese homes. At school, all  girls are treated a little extra special for that day. We get to celebrate all kinds of events from different ethnic groups, this is one of them.

I

imu - a Polynesian earth oven in which foods are cooked with the heat released from hot rocks. 

issei-  the first generation of immigrants

J

K  

kaguya hime-  Bright and smiling

kalamungay  - horseradish

kamaina - a child born and raised in Hawaii

kangkanen - sweet cakes

kapu - The Hawaiian form of that well - known word, taboo 

kasuri- A mixed set of clothing

kaukau - food of any kind

kerosene- A thin oil, a mixture of hydro carbons, usually produced by distilling petroleum; coal oil. Used in lamps and stoves.

kimono-A long, wide-sleeved Japanese robelike dress worn with an obi and often elaborately decorated. A loose robe worn cheifly by women.

L  

lauhala- polynesian screw pine plant, the long leaves are woven to make hats, mats, and bags.

laulau- a package of food, wrapped in ti leaves containing morsels of pork or beef enclosed in taro leaves.

luna- a foreman who supervises the workers in the field. He makes sure everyone is working efficiently.

lechon - roast pig, which is cooked over hot burning coals 

luau- a native Hawaiian feast 

lumpia - Filipino egg rolls 

M

manang – what to call an older Filipino woman as a sign of respect

manong – what to call an older Filipino man as a sign of respect

mauka -towards the mountains

musubi- A triangle shaped rice ball; Made with rice and salt

mu'umu'u - deformed or shapeless cut off maimed 

menehune  The first people to settle in these islands probably smaller in the body and darker skin than the Polynesia. 

N

O 

ono- tasty and delicious food

otedama-  Japanese way to say beanbags

otong – beans

P 

pancit – noodles

paria – bitter melon

pupu  - 1. Originally the Hawaiians word for shells from sea or land.  2.But another meaning for pupu is: snack foods, commonly served by the local people on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pupus are served at parties.  The party throwers spend a whole day in advance to make large pans of many varieties of foods such as prepared meats, vegetables and seafoods.  This is served during cocktail hour before the main dinner is presented.  

Q/R

S

sake- Japanese rice wine

shibai- fake, told an exaggerated story, made a lie

shibui- a Japanese word for elegant simplicity

sipa-sipa –  game similar to soccer

sungka – game introduced by Filipinos, played with wooden board with pockets filled with even numbers of shells or little stones.

sushi -  cold rice with a core of pickled vegetables of fish

T

tabungao – squash

talong – eggplant

Tango-no-Sekku- Boys' Day in Japan

tinikling – bamboo dance

U/V/W 

wine dance – young filipino girls dance with filled glasses on their hands and heads

X/Y

yagura- the musicians tower at a bon dance

Z

zori- Japanese flat sandals or slippers formally mane lf woven rice straw now mass produced in rubber 

Click here to return to Sugar Roots