Hawaiian Glossary: The Letter P
This glossary does not go from A to Z. The Hawaiian language only has
five vowels and twelve consonants, out of which twelve letters,
a, h,
i, k,
l, m,
n, o,
p, t,
u, and w, are
represented here.
This is the glossary chapter for the letter P. Below, there are links
to various parts of the travel guide, but the best way to return to where you've
just been is to use the "BACK" button or function in your
browser.
P
*Words marked with an asterisk (*) are used commonly throughout the
islands.
- pa'hoehoe*
- smooth, ropey lava that looks like burnt pancake batter.
Pa'hoehoe is now the correct geological term used to describe this type
of lava found anywhere in the world.
- pakalolo
- marijuana; the state's most productive cash crop
- pake
- a Chinese person. Can be derisive, depending on tone in which it is used.
It is a bastardization of the Chinese word meaning "uncle."
- pali*
- a cliff; precipice. Hawaii's geology makes them quite common. The most
famous are the pali of Oahu where a major battle was fought.
- paniolo*
- a Hawaiian cowboy. Derived from the Spanish
espaniola. The first cowboys brought to Hawaii during the early 19th
century were Mexicans from California.
- papale
- hat. Except for the feathered helmets of the ali'i warriors of old
Hawaii, hats were generally not worn. However, once the islanders saw their
practical uses and how fashionable they were, they began weaving them from
various materials and quickly became experts at manufacture and design.
- pau*
- finished; done; completed. Often combined into pau
hana, which means end of work or quitting
time.
- pa'u
- long split skirt often worn by women when horseback riding. Last century,
an island treat was pa'u riders in their beautiful dresses at Kapiolani
Park in Honolulu. The tradition is carried on today at many of Hawaii's rodeos.
- pilau
- stink; bad smell; stench
- pilikia
- trouble of any kind, big or small; bad times
- poi*
- a glutinous paste made from the pounded corn of taro which ferments
slightly and has a light sour taste. Purplish in color, it's a staple at luaus,
where it is called "one-, two-, or three-finger" poi, depending upon
its thickness.
- pono
- righteous or excellent
- pua
- flower
- puka*
- a hole of any size. Puka is used by all island residents, whether
talking about a pinhole in a rubber boat or a tunnel through a mountain.
- punalua
- the tradition of sharing mates in practice before the missionaries came.
Western seamen took advantage of it, and this led to the spreading of contagious
diseases and eventually to the ultimate demise of the Hawaiian people.
- punee*
- bed; narrow couch. Used by all ethnic groups. To recline on a punee
on a breezy lanai is a true island treat.
- pu pu*
- an appetizer; a snack; hors d'oeuvres; can be anything from cheese and
crackers to sushi. Oftentimes, bars or nightclubs offer them free.
- pupule
- crazy; nuts; out of your mind
- pu'u
- hill, as in Pu'u Ulaula ("Red Hill")