130+ Hawaiian Proverbs Conveying The Wisdom Of The Islands

Hawaiian proverbs are full of wisdom. These short sayings teach lessons about life, love, and nature. People use Hawaiian proverbs to guide their hearts and minds. They help remind us of what truly matters. Each line carries deep meaning in simple words. Hawaiian sayings for good vibes bring peace and joy. Hawaiian Proverbs reflect kindness, patience, and aloha.

Hawaiian proverbs often speak of the sea, the land, and the stars. You’ll find many Hawaiian quotes about the ocean and island life. These words offer calm and strength, just like the waves. Hawaiian Proverbs about life remind us to live with respect, love, and balance. They show how to stay strong in hard times. Many Hawaiian Proverbs about life talk about family and connection. With Hawaiian proverbs, you carry old wisdom into your day. Let them guide you, inspire you, and lift your spirit.

Unlocking the Wisdom of the Islands Through Hawaiian Proverbs

Unlocking the Wisdom of the Islands Through Hawaiian Proverbs
  1. Holo ka waʻa, paʻa ka hoe.
    Translation: The canoe moves forward when the paddles are firm in hand.
  2. Kū ka lā i ka lani, noho ka malu i ka naʻau.
    Translation: As the sun stands in the sky, peace settles within the heart.
  3. Ulu ka ʻāina i ka ua.
    Translation: The land grows with the rain.
  4. E mālama i ke kai, e ola ka ʻāina.
    Translation: Care for the sea, and the land will live.
  5. ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia.
    Translation: No task is too big when done together.
  6. ʻIke aku, ʻike mai, kōkua aku, kōkua mai.
    Translation: Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped.
  7. He aliʻi ka ʻāina; he kauwā ke kanaka.
    Translation: The land is chief; man is its servant.
  8. E huli i ka lima i lalo.
    Translation: Turn the hands down to work.
  9. Kaʻu i ka hana, ʻaʻole kaʻu i ka noho.
    Translation: I choose labor, not laziness.
  10. Hoʻomanawanui i ka pilikia.
    Translation: Be patient in times of trouble.
  11. E noho malie me ka ʻuhane.
    Translation: Sit in peace with the spirit.
  12. Ua ola loko i ke aloha.
    Translation: Love gives life within.
  13. ʻO ke kahua mamua, mahope ke kūkulu.
    Translation: The foundation comes first, then the building.
  14. Pūpūkahi i holomua.
    Translation: Unite to move forward.
  15. ʻAʻohe mea nui ke hoʻoholo ʻia me ka manaʻo pono.
    Translation: Nothing is too great when led with a righteous mind.
  16. Ka ʻau o ke kai, paʻa ka wai.
    Translation: The strength of the sea holds the water steady.
  17. ʻAʻohe aliʻi ma mua, ʻo ka laʻana i ke kai.
    Translation: There is no chief before the example set by the ocean.
  18. ʻO ka nalu, he kiʻi i ka nuʻu.
    Translation: The wave climbs high to touch the sky.
  19. E hōkūleʻa i ka moana, e hāhā i ka mauna.
    Translation: Sail the ocean to reach the mountain’s peak.
  20. Hūnā ka pā o ka moana, ʻoi ke ola i ka naʻau.
    Translation: The ocean’s waves hide treasures, but life’s true wealth lies in the heart.
  21. Ka nalu o ka ʻāina, he ʻeha ka noho.
    Translation: The waves of the land bring pain in their wake.
  22. Ka waʻa ka hiki, ka nānā no ka ʻāina.
    Translation: The canoe arrives, and the land observes its course.
  23. ʻAʻohe lā, ʻaʻohe hōkū, ka nalu paʻakai.
    Translation: Without the sun and the stars, the wave’s salt is unseen.
  24. Ka lei o ke kai, he hōʻailona o ka maikaʻi.
    Translation: The garland of the sea is a sign of good things to come.
  25. I ka huli o ka nalu, e ʻae i ke alakaʻi.
    Translation: When the wave turns, accept the guidance of the shore.
  26. Hoʻokahi nalu, he nani o ka moana.
    Translation: One wave carries the beauty of the ocean.
  27. ʻAʻohe nalu i wehe i ka moana.
    Translation: No wave can part the sea.
  28. He nalu ka hiki, he nalu ka hele.
    Translation: Waves come and go, but always leave their mark.
  29. E ʻike i ka ulu o ka nalu.
    Translation: See the rise of the wave, but remember it is fleeting.
  30. ʻO ka nalu, he moana nui.
    Translation: The wave, though small, holds the vast ocean in its grasp.

Proverbs of Aloha Spirit

  1. Aloha ke kahi i ke kahi.
    Translation: Love one another.
  2. E hāʻawi i ke aloha, e loaʻa mai ka hoʻokipa.
    Translation: Give love, and hospitality will return.
  3. He aloha no ka ʻāina, he aloha no ka ʻohana.
    Translation: Love for the land, love for the family.
  4. ʻAʻohe ʻāina, ʻaʻohe aloha.
    Translation: Without the land, there is no love.
  5. Nā makani o ka aloha, paʻa i ka puʻuwai.
    Translation: The winds of aloha settle deep in the heart.
  6. Hoʻohiki i ka aloha, hele ma ka pono.
    Translation: Swear to love, walk in righteousness.
  7. He aloha ka hoʻolohe, he aloha ka ʻōlelo.
    Translation: To listen is love, to speak is love.
  8. ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻohā i ka hālau.
    Translation: Not all love is found in one home.
  9. Nā pua aloha, nā mākua mālama.
    Translation: Love blooms like flowers, and parents protect them.
  10. ʻO aloha, he ʻuhane kai.
    Translation: Aloha is the spirit of the sea.
  11. ʻAʻohe hōkū o ka moana, ke aloha paʻakai.
    Translation: Without the stars of the ocean, aloha will remain salty.
  12. ʻAloha mai e, aloha hoʻi e.
    Translation: Love is given, and love is returned.
  13. ʻO ka pono me ka aloha, ua loaʻa ka noho.
    Translation: When right with love, life is complete.
  14. Nāna i ka makaʻu, aloha i ke kani.
    Translation: Face the fear, but greet the sound with love.
  15. ʻAʻohe aupuni nui i ʻoi aʻe i ka aloha.
    Translation: No kingdom is greater than love.
  16. Ka wai ʻole, ka ola ʻole.
    Translation: Without water, there is no life.
  17. Nā wai i ke kūlana, paʻa ka pono.
    Translation: The waters are strong when the foundation is right.
  18. E ʻike i ka wai o ke kūkulu.
    Translation: See the water that holds up the structure.
  19. ʻAʻohe wai i hoʻokumu ʻia ma ke kākala.
    Translation: No water is formed in haste.
  20. Wai hulu, ʻaumākua.
    Translation: Sacred water, guardian spirit.
  21. Ka wai o ke kahua, ka huli i ke kanaka.
    Translation: Water of the foundation changes the human soul.
  22. Hoʻomālama i ke wai, mālama i ke ola.
    Translation: Protect the water, protect life.
  23. Wai hōʻano, ola ka moana.
    Translation: Pure waters bring life to the sea.
  24. He wai lāʻau, he hālau i ka pua.
    Translation: A drink from the trees is a shelter for flowers.
  25. Wai lani, lāʻau kūpono.
    Translation: Heavenly waters, righteous plants.
  26. ʻO ke wai, he piko.
    Translation: Water is the connection.
  27. Ka wai i loko, he kumu hoʻoikaika.
    Translation: Water within is the source of strength.
  28. ʻO ke kai, he waiwai kuʻuna.
    Translation: The ocean is an eternal source of wealth.
  29. Nā wai lani, ʻike i ka ʻike.
    Translation: Waters of heaven show what is known.
  30. Wai piha, hoʻokūkū paʻa.
    Translation: Full waters, steadfast challenges.

Proverbs of Sun and Sky

Proverbs of Sun and Sky
  1. Ka lā i ka pō, he mālamalama no ka ʻāina.
    Translation: The sun at night is a light for the land.
  2. ʻAʻohe lā i pāʻoho, ʻaʻohe hoʻoilo.
    Translation: Without the sun, there is no rain.
  3. Ka lā a ka hoku, nānā i ka ʻāina.
    Translation: The sun and the stars guide the land.
  4. Hoʻoulu i ka lā, e hōʻoia i ka nānā.
    Translation: Raise the sun, and ensure the sight is clear.
  5. He lā hou, he ʻaoʻao no ka maikaʻi.
    Translation: A new sun brings forth a new side of good.
  6. Ka mālamalama o ka lā, he kūlana o ka pono.
    Translation: The light of the sun is a position of righteousness.
  7. Hoʻokahi lā, ʻoi aku ka hoʻokumu i ka waʻa.
    Translation: One sun strengthens the making of the canoe.
  8. Nā ʻike o ka lā, nānā i ka haku.
    Translation: The teachings of the sun reveal the master.
  9. ʻAʻohe lā i ka hiki, ʻaʻohe nalu i hoʻoikaika.
    Translation: No sun to rise, no wave to build strength.
  10. Ka lā e kāhea mai i ka waʻa.
    Translation: The sun calls to the canoe.
  11. He hoku i ka lā, hoʻoilo e kau.
    Translation: A star at the sun brings the rainy season.
  12. ʻO ka lā a me ka hoku, i laila e hoʻomākaukau ai.
    Translation: With the sun and the star, prepare the way ahead.
  13. He pōʻeleʻele i ka lā, e hoʻi ana ka hoʻoilo.
    Translation: The sun sets, and the rainy season returns.
  14. Nānā i ka lā, ʻike i ka ʻikele.
    Translation: Look to the sun, and see the day’s end.
  15. ʻO ka lā, he makani i ka po.
    Translation: The sun, a wind in the night.
  16. E hui i ka nalu, e hoʻoikaika i ka waʻa.
    Translation: Unite the waves, strengthen the canoe.
  17. Nāna i ka hoʻoikaika, hana ma ka pono.
    Translation: Work with strength, act in righteousness.
  18. ʻAʻohe lāʻau i ulu i ka hana.
    Translation: No tree grows without effort.
  19. Hoʻokahi ka ʻāina, hoʻokahi ka hana.
    Translation: One land, one work.
  20. E paʻa ka waʻa, e paʻa ka hui.
    Translation: The canoe holds, the group holds.
  21. Nāna i ke kālele, nāna i ka hana.
    Translation: The strong are known by their work.
  22. Hoʻokahi manamana, ʻike i ka ʻike.
    Translation: One paddle, one course.
  23. ʻAʻohe kāʻei i hoʻokumu ʻia i loko o ke kāhuli.
    Translation: No rope is formed in the bend.
  24. E hoʻāʻo i ke kai, e hoʻāʻo i ka pā.
    Translation: Test the ocean, test the shore.
  25. I ka hana, ʻo ke akamai ka lawaiʻa.
    Translation: In work, wisdom is the fisherman.
  26. ʻAʻohe kūlana i maopopo me ka hana.
    Translation: No position is clear without work.
  27. Hoʻokahi lāʻau, ʻoi aku ke kūlana.
    Translation: One tree, greater the position.
  28. Nāna i ka hoʻohālike, e hoʻokumu i ka hana.
    Translation: Through example, the work is established.
  29. ʻO ka paʻa, nāna i loaʻa ka hoʻokipa.
    Translation: Holding on firmly brings success.
  30. Nānā i ka hana, he pono ka ʻōlelo.
    Translation: Look to the work, the words are righteous.

Proverbs of Love and ʻOhana

  1. ʻOhana, he aloha i ka ʻāina.
    Translation: Family, love for the land.
  2. ʻAʻohe kāʻei, he ʻaʻohe ʻohana.
    Translation: No rope, no family.
  3. Ke aloha, he piko o ka ʻohana.
    Translation: Love, the center of the family.
  4. Hoʻohui i ka aloha, hoʻohaʻa i ka ʻohana.
    Translation: Unite in love, humble the family.
  5. ʻO aloha, he makana no ka ʻohana.
    Translation: Aloha, a gift for the family.
  6. ʻAʻohe ʻohana, ʻaʻohe aloha.
    Translation: Without family, there is no love.
  7. Nāna i hoʻomaopopo, nāna i mālama ʻohana.
    Translation: Through understanding, the family is cared for.
  8. ʻO ka aloha, he wahi i nānā ai.
    Translation: Love is a place to be seen.
  9. ʻAʻohe kūlana i ka ʻohana i manaʻo ʻia.
    Translation: No position is formed in the family as thought.
  10. Hoʻokahi ka ʻohana, he ʻiʻo o ka manaʻo.
    Translation: One family, the core of thought.
  11. E hoʻoikaika i ka aloha, e mālama i ka ʻohana.
    Translation: Strengthen love, protect the family.
  12. ʻO ka mahalo, he mahalo no ka ʻohana.
    Translation: Gratitude, a gift for the family.
  13. ʻAʻohe aloha, ʻaʻohe kūlana o ka ʻohana.
    Translation: No love, no position in the family.
  14. Hoʻokahi ʻohana, he manaʻo o ka pono.
    Translation: One family, the thought of goodness.
  15. Nāna i mālama i ka ʻohana, nāna i hoʻokūpaʻa.
    Translation: Protect the family, stand firm.
  16. Hoʻokahi nānā, ʻike i ka ʻike.
    Translation: One glance reveals wisdom.
  17. Nāna i manaʻo, e hoʻonui i ka ʻike.
    Translation: Through thought, knowledge grows.
  18. ʻAʻohe wahi i ulu ʻole i ka manaʻo.
    Translation: No place grows without thought.
  19. ʻO ka ʻimi naʻauao, he loaʻa i ka ʻiʻo.
    Translation: Seeking wisdom, one finds the essence.
  20. ʻAʻohe kumu i ulu i ka wai.
    Translation: No plant grows without water.
  21. Hoʻokahi ka manaʻo, he nui ka ʻike.
    Translation: One thought, much knowledge.
  22. Hoʻoulu i ka ʻike, he kūlana o ka maikaʻi.
    Translation: Nurturing knowledge leads to a position of goodness.
  23. ʻAʻohe ʻālana, ʻaʻole i hiki i ka ʻike.
    Translation: No effort, no path to knowledge.
  24. He lālā ka ʻiʻo, ʻaʻohe lālā i manaʻo ʻia.
    Translation: The branch is the essence, and without the essence, there is no branch.
  25. Nāna i hoʻoulu, nāna i ʻike.
    Translation: Through nurturing, one gains wisdom.
  26. ʻO ke aloha, ka kumu o ka ʻike.
    Translation: Love is the root of wisdom.
  27. Hoʻokahi ka ʻikena, he kuleana i nānā.
    Translation: One perspective, a responsibility to see.
  28. ʻAʻohe kumulāʻau i ulu me ka manaʻo.
    Translation: No tree grows without intention.
  29. ʻO ka ʻike, he hoʻoulu i ka manaʻo.
    Translation: Knowledge is the growth of thought.
  30. Nāna i hoʻoikaika, he ʻike i loaʻa.
    Translation: Through effort, wisdom is gained.

Proverbs of Land and Life

Proverbs of Land and Life
  1. Ka ʻāina o ka pono, he wahi i mālama.
    Translation: The land of righteousness is a place to protect.
  2. ʻAʻohe kumu ʻāina i ka ʻike.
    Translation: No land without wisdom.
  3. Hoʻokahi ka ʻāina, hoʻokahi ka hana.
    Translation: One land, one labor.
  4. ʻAʻohe ʻāina i loaʻa i ka hōʻehi.
    Translation: No land is gained by disrespect.
  5. Hoʻokahi ka ʻāina, nānā i ka lawe.
    Translation: One land, pay attention to what is taken.
  6. ʻAʻohe wahi i ulu i ka maikaʻi.
    Translation: No place grows in goodness.
  7. ʻO ka ʻāina, he kumu o ka ʻike.
    Translation: The land is the source of wisdom.
  8. Ka ʻāina, ka pono o ka mālama.
    Translation: The land, the right of care.
  9. ʻAʻohe ʻāina e ʻike i ka hana.
    Translation: No land sees the labor.
  10. Nāna i mālama i ka ʻāina, nāna i mālama i ka keiki.
    Translation: Protect the land, protect the child.
  11. ʻO ke kaʻina, he ala no ka ʻāina.
    Translation: The path is a way for the land.
  12. Hoʻoulu i ka ʻāina, hoʻoulu i ka ʻōpio.
    Translation: Nurture the land, nurture the youth.
  13. ʻAʻohe ala i lele ʻole me ka mālama ʻāina.
    Translation: No path will succeed without the care of the land.
  14. ʻO ka ʻike i nā lālā, he ʻike no ka ʻāina.
    Translation: Knowledge of the branches is knowledge of the land.
  15. Nāna i mālama i ka ʻāina, ka pono o ke ola.
    Translation: Protect the land, the right of life.

FAQs

What themes do Hawaiian Proverbs cover?

Hawaiian cover themes like love, nature, family, and respect. They also reflect the Hawaiian values of Aloha, unity, and wisdom.

How can I learn more Hawaiian Proverbs?

To learn more Hawaiian, you can explore books on Hawaiian culture or connect with local Hawaiian communities. Online resources also provide great collections of these proverbs.

What do Hawaiian Proverbs teach us?

Hawaiian teach lessons about love, humility, family, nature, and wisdom. They also highlight important Hawaiian concepts like Aloha, unity, and respect for the earth.

Are Hawaiian Proverbs only about nature?

While manyProverbs focus on nature, they also cover topics like love, family, work, and personal growth. Nature often serves as a metaphor for life.

 Can Hawaiian Proverbs be translated into English?

Yes, Hawaiian Proverbs can be translated into English, but the meaning may change slightly. The cultural context often adds depth to the proverbs that may not be fully captured in translation.

Conclusion

Hawaiian Proverbs offer timeless wisdom that can guide us through life’s challenges. These sayings reflect the deep connection to nature, family, and community that is at the heart of Hawaiian culture. Many Hawaiian sayings for good vibes encourage positivity and resilience, teaching us to face obstacles with grace.Hawaiian Proverbs about life often emphasize love, respect, and living with intention. 

They remind us of the importance of kindness, humility, and maintaining harmony with others. Whether it’s Hawaiian quotes about the ocean or Hawaiian quotes about life, these proverbs highlight the beauty and power of the natural world. By embracing Hawaiian Proverbs, we can carry forward their wisdom in our own lives. Hawaiian Proverbsinspire us to nurture our relationships, stay grounded, and live with purpose, bringing the spirit of Aloha into everything we do.

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