HAWAIIAN

Story:

Mo‘olelo

Language

‘Ōlelo

To Tell, To Speak

Ha‘i

To Tell Stories

Ha‘i mo‘olelo

Legendary place

Wahi Pana

Sacred Geography:

Sacred

Kapu; La‘a

Sacred Sites

Wahi La‘a;
Wahi Pana

Sacred Place;
Noted or Legendary Place

Altar

Ahu

Temple

Heiau

Shrine

Ko‘a

Fishing shrine; same word for a head of coral (used to make the shrine) and for fishing grounds marked off by such sites.

Dance:

Hula

Dance School or Troupe

Hula Halau

Dance Instructor

Kumu Hula

Chant

Oli

(not danced to)

Dance Drum

Pahu;
Ipu

Wooden drum;
Gourd drum

Pray

Ho‘omanamana;
Pule

"Transfer of Mana"
"Pray" (from the English)

Priest

Kahuna

"Expert," a suffix is added to distinguish which area of specialization.

Supernatural Beings:

God, Gods

Akua

"High gods," especially the four major Hawaiian Gods Ku, Kāne, Lono, and Kanaloa

‘Aumakau

Family gods, familiar spirits

Kinolau

"Many forms"; physical manifestations of either akua or ‘aumakau, often plants or animals

Kupua

"Demigods"; lesser supernatural beings, often shape-shifters

Mo‘o

Lizards, supernatural beings often associated with water holes

Morality

Pono

Right, correct, harmonious, "the way things should be"

Ho‘oponopono

"The act of setting right": term for a traditional healing ceremony in which harmony is restored

Spiritual Energy

Mana

To Pray

Ho‘omanamana

"Causing Mana to be transferred"