Hawaiian words and cultural concepts everyone should know

Learn the cultural significance behind “aloha,” “ho’okipa” and “kuleana” – concepts which were integral to Olympic athlete Duke Kahanamoku‘s way of life. The following is based on a discussion guide created by The Foundation for Global Sports Development.

Duke Kahanamoku at the Stockholm Olympics. Credit: T. DeLaVega Family Collection

What does Aloha mean?

Aloha (Ah-loh-hah) is a deeply held spiritual belief best understood through Native Hawaiian history and culture. Many have tried to explain its essence, yet for most non-Hawaiians, the concept can be elusive. Beyond a greeting, aloha can describe a deep love and respect for people—including oneself—and places, or act as a reminder of how to behave appropriately in the world, or “with aloha.” The ancient kahunas (priests) taught that living the Spirit of Aloha meant sending and receiving positive energy to everything and everyone in your environment.

For ali‘i, the ruling class of Hawaii, aloha represented a delicate balance of empathy and discipline. It was a reciprocal relationship: the commoners had aloha for well-respected ali‘i (chiefs), who in turn demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility to care for the land, people, and resources in their domain. This traditional principle is embedded in the Hawaiian phrase for patriotism – Aloha ‘Āina, which describes an innate love for the land that feeds us, and our duty to cherish and protect it.

What did Aloha mean to Duke Kahanamoku?

Having ties to the household of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Duke Kahanomoku understood aloha and its core teaching of connection from a young age, which made him one of the greatest hosts Hawaii has ever had. As a world-famous Hawaiian, he was often called upon to entertain celebrities and dignitaries from around the world. He hosted these visitors, making them feel like a part of the family, and along the way developed many lifelong friendships. He enjoyed introducing guests to traditional Hawaiian customs: in 1920 he taught the Prince of Wales how to surf and decades later he showed the Queen Mother how to hula. Duke was so adept in this role, that he was named the official Ambassador of Aloha by the State of Hawaii for modeling the Aloha Spirit and being the consummate host.

Kahanomuku didn’t reserve the Aloha Spirit for visitors to his islands, but took that kindness around the globe, embodying the culturally ingrained ideal even in the face of adversity. Kahanomuku had aloha for everyone he met, regardless of who they were.

What does Ho’okipa mean?

Ho‘okipa (Ho–oh-kee-pah) has different names throughout the Pacific, but the idea is the same: to entertain or treat hospitably. Pacific Islanders take hospitality very seriously, with a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to host visitors by feeding, entertaining, and housing them; some even consider it an art form.

Ho’okipa also reveals one of the intricacies of the Hawaiian language that has to do with an embedded duality in many terms. Though the word ho‘okipa means to entertain or host, if you drop the prefix “ho‘o,” you end up with the word kipa which means to visit. There is a dual responsibility contained within the word: a sense of kuleana (responsibility) to host guests, and an even greater sense of kuleana to be a good guest when visiting others.

What does Kuleana mean?

Kuleana (Koo-leh-ah-nah), the Hawaiian word for responsibility, has many different meanings though it’s most often associated with being a privilege. According to Hawaiian custom, kuleana is only given to those who demonstrate their readiness and worthiness to handle a responsibility. A common phrase that reminds one of this privilege is “‘Auamo Kuleana,” which translates to “carry your responsibilities.” Kuleana is your personal and distinct contribution to a community so it can thrive. Kuleana changes over time: young children acquire different kuleana around the household, students gain kuleana as they broaden their skill set, adults take on more kuleana within the community or their profession.

Duke Kahanamoku rallied the kuleana of representing Hawaii everywhere he traveled. When he was given the opportunity to try out for the U.S. Olympic team he didn’t have the funds to travel to America and Europe to compete. The community came together to raise the funds to get Kahanomuku, a son of Hawaii, to the Olympics. This beautiful act of aloha, along with Kahanomuku’s love for his homeland, would provide him with added motivation to make all Hawaiians proud. As a rising star and new entry to the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Duke Kahanamoku would carry the kuleana of representing his Hawaiian people as well as the hopes of the United States of America.

After his superstar turn in the Olympics, Kahanomuku was invited to promote swimming around the world. He embraced his kuleana as a guest of these nations. Wherever he went, people expected him to showcase his swimming or surfing, and Kahanomuku did not disappoint. Beyond those exhibitions, he might carve a surfboard out of wood, sing songs, and play his ukulele to share different Hawaiian customs with the locals, spreading aloha and joy in the process.