Pidgin - Uncle's Hawaiian Grindz

Pidgin Pidgin

Hawaiian Pidgin Dictionary

General Terms

-Uncle/Aunty: how locals refer to elders, regardless of familial connection -Grindz: delicious food, as in at a party or a favorite food establishment -Aloha: specifically the Hawaiian word for “love,” aloha is a catch-all word of good intentions and feelings. Used as a greeting or parting, but also means affection, kindness and goodness -Aloha Spirit: a philosophy or way of being in Hawaii, more specifically the feeling of gratitude, friendship, understanding, and solidarity -Mahalo: Hawaiian word for “thank you” -‘Ono: Hawaiian word for “delicious,” Used most often in combination with “grindz” -‘Ohana: Family, but used beyond blood relations to express love and commitment within communities -Tutu: Hawaiian word for Grandma or Grandpa -Kama’aina: Literally, child of the land. Used to describe native born and any long-term resident of the Hawaiian islands, regardless of racial background -Haole: Translates to “without the breath of life.” Traditionally means foreigner, but often refers to a person of Caucasian ancestry. Can be derogatory, but not always -Ho’ike: a cultural presentation to show or display Hawaiian music, hula and song -Kokua: Hawaiian word for Help or support. Heard most frequently in the phrase, “Mahalo for your kokua” (thank you for your assistance) -Howzit: a common, informal Hawaiian greeting meaning “How are you?” Used often in conjunction with “braddah,” which is a colloquial term for “brother” or “friend.” -Keiki: Hawaiian word for “children” -Lanai: Hawaiian word for “outdoor patio or balcony” -Pau: Hawaiian word for “done” or “finished” -Lei: A necklace made of flowers, shells, leaves, or kukui nuts. Locals wear them to celebrate special occasions of all sorts -Shaka: classically hawaiian hand gesture of extended thumb and pinkie, which generally symbolizes the “aloha spirit,” started by Hamana Kalili of Laie -Wahine & Kāne: Hawaiian words for, respectively, “women” and “men”

Food Menu Terms

-Poke’: Specifically the hawaiian verb for “section” of “cube,” typically meaning raw seafood, especially ahi tuna -Ahi: larger species of tuna from the yellowfin or bigeye families -Katsu: a Japanese style preparation of seasoned protein dredged in flour and sweet wine eggwash, then breaded and fried-Kalua -Shoyu: Hawaiian term for “ Japanese soy sauce” -Lomi: typically spoken as lomi lomi, Hawaiian word meaning “to massage” in reference to the salmon preparation -Kalua: traditional Hawaiian cooking method that utilizes an imu, a type of underground oven, often mimicked today using modern cooking techniques -Kiawe: Hawaiian version of mesquite wood, imparts a smoky flavor -Kalbi: Korean style cross cut barbequed short ribs -Huli Huli: Hawaiian “turn turn” referring to rotisserie cooking technique -Uala: Hawaiian word for purple sweet potato -Hau’ula: town of the north east coast of Oahu, where Chef Kaimana hails from! -Moana Street: translates to “ocean.” The name of a street in the north east coastal town of Laie where the Kekauoha family hails from, and where Uncle’s was born! -Queen Street: Oahu café located between Honolulu and Pearl City, known for the best tuna poke’ -Luau: a traditional Hawaiian party or feast typically accompanied by entertainment. Also a term used when referring to cooked taro leaves. -Malasada: Portuguese hole-less donut, aka, the best fried dough you’ll ever eat -Otai: a Tongon drink typically made with water, coconut, coconut cream and fresh fruit -Poi: a traditional Hawaiian staple, this is a taro root porridge that locals go crazy for