ʻānela
The Hawaiian word for angel is ʻānela.
The term ʻānela refers to an angel, specifically a messenger from a deity. It is used to describe celestial beings or spiritual entities within religious or spiritual contexts.
Meaning: messenger from a deity (noun)
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian belief, celestial messengers were not called ʻānela but were often understood as akua or kūpuna.
- While ʻānela refers to a messenger, the broader concept of divine spirits in Hawaii often blends with the role of ʻaumākua, or ancestral guardians.
- The similarity between ʻānela and 'angel' is so close that it serves as a perfect example of how missionaries influenced the development of modern Hawaiian vocabulary.
Examples in context
- He ʻānela ke keiki.The child is an angel.
- Ua ʻike ʻia ka ʻānela.The angel was seen.
Example conversation
Malia and Keanu are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- MaliaHe nani ka ʻānela i kēia kiʻi.The angel in this picture is beautiful.
- KeanuʻAe, he nani loa ia.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- MaliaHe mana kou ana ka ʻānela.The angel has a strong power.
- KeanuHiki mai ke au i kēlā mana.I can feel that power.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angel” translations and entries ʻānela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
