The Aloha State is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, languages, religions, and even foods, varying to some degree island-by-island. Whether you grew up speaking ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Pidgin or anything in between, thereʻs meaning and value behind what we say.
With “My Favorite Local Sayings,” Aloha State Daily is eager to learn what words or phrases you grew up with that you still use today. The goal is to share part of what makes our Isle home so special.
Kindly submit your saying, along with a high-resolution, horizontal photo that you own and/or have the rights to, here on this page or by emailing general@alohastatedaily.com.
Include where you live and a brief description of what makes this saying so special, who taught it to you and how it impacts your daily life. No expletives please, this is a family-friendly website. We are excited to review and publish your submission on our website!
And since part of our job as journalists is talking story with members of the community, the ASD newsroom plans to share what we learn, back into this space, as well.
Submission example:
Aloha, my name is Kelsey Medeiros and I live on Oʻahu. My favorite local saying is “Shoots!” or if I want to get cute with it, “Shootsies!” I like how casual and versatile it is in different situations. Do I agree with you? “Shoots!” Does the plan sound good? “Shoooots!” Do I have to go but want to see you again? “Shooootsies!”
More recently, I’ve been encouraged by this ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia, which translates to, “No task is too big when done together by all.” It is a great reminder that through collaboration and teamwork, we can accomplish any size goal.
Follow these steps to get your local saying featured at Aloha State Daily:
- Tell us in 300 words or fewer about a local saying you like, i.e., who first shared it with you, how do you use it and what does it mean, why is this saying special to you?
- Upload a related, horizontal jpeg image with the highest quality possible (Max 1MB). Include information like your name, and where and when the picture was taken.
- Subscribe to our free daily edition or check out alohastatedaily.com to see your saying featured in our publication!
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