o-hospitality

Ho`okipa ~ Hospitality

Sources:
Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., Hawaiian Dictionary, Revised
and Enlarged Edition, University Of Hawai`i Press, Honolulu, 1986.

Kanahele, George Hu`eu Stanford, KÛ KANAKA, Stand Tall, A Search for Hawaiian Values, University of Hawai`i Press, 1986.

"Even the poorest would generally share their scanty dish of potatoes with a stranger. Not to entertain a guest with what they have, is, among themselves, considered reproachful; and there are many, who, if they had but one pig or fowl in the yard, or one root of potatoes in the garden, would cheerfully take them to furnish a repast for a friend." ~ Wm. Ellis

The historian Malo warns, however, against "thrusting one's self on the hospitality of one's neighbor."

Pronunciation Guide

`Ôlelo Hawai`i Hawaiian:	`Ôlelo Haole English:
Heahea.	Welcome (no precise equivalent).
heahea, kâhea, pâ kâhea	Call of welcome.
E komo mai! Mai! He mai!	Come in! Come! Come! (Welcome!)
Ho`okipa i ka malihini.	To welcome guests.
Mele komo.	Welcoming song.
I kû â hele mai i ka `âina, he hale, he `ai, he i`a nou, nou ka `âina.	Expression of welcome: should (you wish to) come to the land, there is a house, poi, fish for you, the land is for you.
E komo mai!	Come in!
Mai e `ai.	Come and eat.
E ho`okama`âina.	Make yourself at home (said to strangers).
He hale kou.	You have a house (fig., you are always welcome here).
Nou ka hale.	The house is yours.
E noho `oe, ke `olu`olu.	Sit, please. Stay, please.
He makana nâu. Na`u anei kêia? Nâu wale nô.	A gift for you. Is this for me? Just for you.
"I hele i kauhale, pa`a pû`olo i ka lima."	"In going to the houses of others, carry a package in hand." To go empty-handed is an affront and embarrassment to both host and guest.
These days, this saying still applies. It is bad form to go to a social gathering empty-handed. Even if your host demurs (better not to even ask, "What can I bring?"), bring an ice chest filled with your and your host's favorite beverages, enough for yourself, your host and others. Bring a dish, pûpû (appetizer), and/or dessert. While acceptable on the mainland, a bag of chips and store-bought dip or sandwiches are poor form in Hawai`i. Leave any leftovers with the host; stock the refrigerator with leftover drinks in your cooler. Manini (stingy) guests do not get reinvited. And don't forget to reciprocate. It's the Hawaiian way.
Ua `ai `oe? Pôloli `oe? / `Ae, pôloli au! Makewai `oe? / `Ae, makewai au!	Have you eaten? Are you hungry? / Yes, I'm hungry! Are you thirsty? / Yes, I'm thirsty!
I wai nâu? / I wai na`u, ke `olu`olu.	Some water for you? / Water for me please.
Ua mâ`ona `oe?	Are you full? (Have you had enough to eat?)
He `ono! Nui ka `ono! `Ono loa! `Ono ka pu`u! Kînâ `ole. Helu `ekahi!	Delicious! How delicious! Very tasty! Full of flavor! Flawless. (Perfect) First rate! Number one!
Ua pae ka wa`a! Lawa kêla! Ua lawa.	(I'm full) Lit., the canoe has landed That's enough! Enough.
`Ai pono, e ola.	Eat right, live well.
Mahalo nui loa.	Thank you very much.
He mea iki. `A`ole pilikia.	Just a trifle. (You're welcome.) No trouble. (You're welcome.)
Kipa mai. / Kipa mai hou!	Come visit. / Come visit again!