Well-known Hawaiian ʻōlelo noʻeau (proverbs) and figurative expressions with their meanings explained. Front: the Hawaiian idiom. Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- I ka ʻōlelo nō ke ola, i ka ʻōlelo nō ka make.
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In language there is life, in language there is death (the power of words)- He aliʻi ka ʻāina, he kauā ke kanaka.
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The land is chief, man is its servant (respect for the land)- ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia.
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No task is too big when done together- He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa.
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The canoe is an island, the island is a canoe (a proverb about self-sufficiency and stewardship)- I ulu no ka lālā i ke kumu.
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The branches grow because of the trunk, we exist because of our ancestors- ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi.
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Not all knowledge is learned in one school- Ma ka hana ka ʻike.
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In working, one learns- Nānā i ke kumu.
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Look to the source, seek the origin or teacher- E hoʻomau i ka ʻimi naʻauao.
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Continue to seek knowledge and wisdom- He lawaiʻa nō ke kai pāpaʻu, he pōkole ke aho.
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A fisherman of the shallow sea has only a short line, meaning limited experience brings limited resources- ʻAʻohe puʻu kiʻekiʻe ke hoʻāʻo ʻia e piʻi.
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No hill is too high to climb if one tries- Lawe i ka maʻalea a kūʻonoʻono.
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Take wisdom and make it deep, be wise and thorough- ʻIke aku, ʻike mai, kōkua aku kōkua mai.
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Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped, such is family life- Ka wai ola a Kāne
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The living water of Kāne, referring to sacred, life-giving water- Mai nānā i ka lāʻau a nānā i ka hua.
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Don't judge the tree, judge the fruit, judge by results
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