Hawaiian culture is deeply rooted in the ocean and its surroundings. From ancient times to the modern era, the sea has played a significant role in Hawaiian life. Here are the top 99 Hawaiian sayings about the sea that capture the essence of this important element:
1. “He’e nalu nui ka ulu hala.”
Translation: The big surf of the hala tree.
2. “I ke kai uli i ka lani.”
Translation: The sea is so blue it blends with the sky.
3. “He’e nalu ka ulu hala.”
Translation: Surfing on the hala tree.
4. “He nalu nui ka makani.”
Translation: Large waves are the wind’s gift.
5. “Ho’opuka i ka la i ka kai.”
Translation: Bring the sun to the sea.
6. “A’ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho’okahi.”
Translation: All knowledge is not learned in just one school.
7. “He ‘ike nō ka hale a pa‘a, ‘a‘ohe hale a e ke ka‘a.”
Translation: The house that is firm is known, not the house that sways.
8. “Ua like ka ‘ōlelo no ke ola, a ‘ole ka make.”
Translation: Words are like life, not death.
9. “Kūlia i ka nu‘u.”
Translation: Strive for the summit.
10. “Kū ha‘aheo me ke aloha.”
Translation: Stand proud with love.
11. “Kūlia i ka pono.”
Translation: Strive for righteousness.
12. “‘A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia.”
Translation: No task is too big when done together by all.
13. “He ‘ōpū nui ke kanaka.”
Translation: A man is made great by his deeds.
14. “Pū‘ali kalo i ka we ‘ole.”
Translation: Taro is gathered where there is no water.
15. “Mālama ‘ia ka ‘ike i ka hānau.”
Translation: Preserve knowledge from birth.
16. “E kūlia i ka nu‘u, i ka pono o Hawai‘i.”
Translation: Strive for the summit, for the good of Hawai‘i.
17. “E ho‘okipa mai ana ke ali‘i i ka po‘e.”
Translation: The chief welcomes the people.
18. “‘A‘ohe loa i ka hana a ke aloha.”
Translation: Love knows no distance.
19. “I ka ‘ōlelo no ke ola, i ka ‘ōlelo nō ka make.”
Translation: In the word is life, in the word is death.
20. “Mai ho‘oni i ka wai lana mālie.”
Translation: Do not disturb the calm water.
21. “Mālama i ke kai o ka pono.”
Translation: Take care of the ocean for the good of all.
22. “‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi.”
Translation: All knowledge is not learned in one school.
23. “‘A‘ohe mea nana no ka make i ka hewa.”
Translation: No one is responsible for death but oneself.
24. “‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi.”
Translation: All knowledge is not learned in one school.
25. “Aia i ka wai ‘o ia ka makani.”
Translation: There is the wind in the water.
26. “He nalu nui ka makani.”
Translation: Large waves are the wind’s gift.
27. “Kūlia i ka nu‘u.”
Translation: Strive for the summit.
28. “Kūlia i ka pono.”
Translation: Strive for righteousness.
29. “Mālama i ka ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i.”
Translation: Preserve the Hawaiian language.
30. “Mālama i ke kai o ka pono.”
Translation: Take care of the ocean for the good of all.
31. “Mālama ‘ia ka ‘ike i ka hānau.”
Translation: Preserve knowledge from birth.
32. “Mai ho‘oni i ka wai lana mālie.”
Translation: Do not disturb the calm water.
33. “Nānā i ke kumu.”
Translation: Look to the source.
34. “Pū‘ali kalo i ka we ‘ole.”
Translation: Taro is gathered where there is no water.
35. “Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono.”
Translation: The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
36. “Ua ola loko i ke aloha.”
Translation: Love gives life within.
37. “Ua ola no i ka pane a ke aloha.”
Translation: There is life in a kindly reply.
38. “Ua ola no i ka pane a ke aloha, i ka ho‘opuka ‘ana a ka mana‘o i ka ‘ōlelo a ka pu‘u wai.”
Translation: There is life in a kindly reply, in the expression of the thought in the words of the spring water.
39. “Waiho i ka maka‘u i ka hale.”
Translation: Leave fear at home.
40. “‘A‘ohe pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi.”
Translation: All knowledge is not learned in one school.
41. “E ola mau ka ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i.”
Translation: May the Hawaiian language live forever.
42. “He ali‘i ka ‘āina, he kauwā ke kanaka.”
Translation: The land is a chief, man is its servant.
43. “He ‘ōpū nui ke kanaka.”
Translation: A man is made great by his deeds.
44. “Hele ka ua i ka ua, hele ka makani i ka makani.”
Translation: The rain follows the rain, the wind follows the wind.
45. “Ho‘okahi no lā o ka malihini.”
Translation: A stranger for only one day.
46. “I ka ‘ōlelo no ke ola, i ka ‘ōlelo nō ka make.”
Translation: In the word is life, in the word is death.
47. “I ka pono o ka ‘āina, i ka pono o ke kanaka.”
Translation: For the good of the land, for the good of the people.
48. “I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope.”
Translation: The future is in the past.
49. “Kūlia i ka nu‘u.”
Translation: Strive for the summit.
50. “Kūlia i ka pono.”
Translation: Strive for righteousness.
51. “Kupaianaha ka ‘ike i ka
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