HAWAIIAN

Land Zones by Elevation:

Kuahiwi

"Backbone", Mountain

Kualono

Peaks and Ridges that form the summit

Kua Mauna

Mountainside

Kua Hea

The belt where small trees grow

Wao, Wao Nahele, Wao Eiwa

Next belt down, where larger trees grow.

Wao Maukele

Belt where the largest trees grow

Wao Akua

Next belt down, where again the trees are smaller

Wao Kanaka; Mau

Here the amau ferns grow, and the land is cultivated.

‘Apa‘a

A region likely to be hard, baked, sterile; lower mountain slope

‘Ilima

Pahe‘e

"Slippery"

Kula

Plain, Open Country

Kahakai

Area bordering the ocean.

The Sea

Moana, Kai

General terms for the sea

Sea water

Kai

Sea shore

Lihi Kai, ‘Ae Kai

"Edge of the sea": where waves break and spread

Pahola, Pahala, Hohola

"Spread": where waves wash over the shore

Pu‘eone, Poina Nalu

Where waves break and spread toward land

Near-Shore

Kai Kohola

Where shallow seas come in without rising into breakers

Kai Hele Ku

"Sea for wading"

Kai ‘au kohana

"Sea for naked bathing"

Where the waves break:

Kai He‘e Nalu

"Surf-riding sea"

Kua Nalu

"Back of the wave"

Kulana

"Pitch and toss"

Kai Kea

"White sea"

Deep Sea:

Moana
Lipo
Lewa

"Ocean"
Deep blue-black color
Deep sea out of sight of land

Kai Popolohua mea a Kane

"Dark purple-blue sea of Kane", where the sea is very dark blue

Waves:

Nalu

Waves at the surf line

‘Ale, Ni‘au

wind-driven billows, swells

Tides:

Kai holo

"Running Tide" (rising)

Kai Nui, Kai Piha

High Tide

Kai Moku, Kai Emi

Receeding Tide

Kai Malo‘o
Kai Make
Kai ‘A‘aka

"Dry Sea"
"Dead Sea"
"Parched Sea"

The Environment:

Rocks:

Pohaku

Lava

'A'a

Stiff, sharp, clinkery lava

Pahoehoe

Smooth, "ropey" lava

Tree:

La‘au; Kumu La‘au

Leaf:

Lau

Fruit:

Hua

Wind:

Makani

General term; many winds have personal names.

Hurricane:

Makani Pahili;
Makani Uluulu

Strong-blowing wind;
Tangled or angry, violent wind

Rain:

Ua

General term; many rains have personal names.

Water:

Wai

Freshwater Spring:

Puna Wai

Bird

Manu

General term for birds

Insect

Mea kolo
Holoholona lele

Creeping insect
Flying insect