Hawaiian Saying Quotes

“Take no heed of good looks , but rather of callused hand.
Old Maori saying: Choose a husband for his work, not his appearance.”
― Toni Polancy, Hawaii in Love

“Traditional Saying (Hawaiian): Only when the water gourd isn't full do you hear it gurgling. (Those who are ignorant have an awful lot to say.)”
― John Richard Stephens, The Hawai'i Bathroom Book

“A ' ohe loa i ka hana a ke aloha.
Distance is ignored by love.”
― Toni Polancy, Hawaii in Love

“Traditional (Hawaiian Saying): A road goes down, up and level. In other words. life is like a road.”
― John Richard Stephens, The Hawai'i Bathroom Book

“Aia no ka pua i luna.

The flower is still on the tree.

A compliment to an elderly woman.
Her beauty still remains.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“O ka papa he'e nalu kēia, pahe'e i ka nalu ha'i o Makaiwa.

This is the surfboard that will glide on the rolling surf of Makaiwa.

A woman's boast. Her beautiful body is like the surfboard on which her mate "glides over the rolling surf.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Hā'awe i ke kua; hi'i i ke alo.

A burden on the back; a babe in the arms.

Said of a hard-working woman who carries a load on her back and a baby in her arms.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Luhi wahine 'ia.

Labored over by a woman.

Spoken in respect and admiration of a family reared by a woman who alone fed and clothed them.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“He 'upena nae; 'a'ohe i'a hei 'ole.

It is a fine-meshed net; there is no fish that it does not fail to catch.

Said of a woman who never fails to attract the opposite sex.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Ku i poholima ua mea he wahine maika'i.

A beautiful woman stands on the palm of the hand.

A beautiful woman makes one desire to caress and serve her.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
Ka poʻe i aloha i ka ʻaina

The story is told
Of the people who love the land”
― Carol Maxym, ʻIolani Palace: A Metaphor for Two Centuries of Hawaiʻi History