hoʻomaikaʻi
The Hawaiian word for "blessing" is hoʻomaikaʻi.
hoʻomaikaʻi refers to the act of declaring, seeking or bestowing favor.
Meaning: act of declaring, seeking or bestowing favor (noun)
Did you know?
- The word hoʻomaikaʻi is also used in Hawaiian to mean 'congratulate'. By bestowing a 'blessing' on someone's achievement, you are effectively praising their success.
- A blessing in Hawaii is often physically manifested through the sprinkling of water, a practice that merged indigenous traditions with later influences from Christianity.
- Because maikaʻi means both 'good' and 'beautiful', the act of blessing someone in Hawaiian is linguistically tied to the idea of making something aesthetically or morally beautiful.
Examples in context
- Ke Akua e hoʻomaikaʻi mai iā ʻoe i kēia lāMay God bless you this day
- He hoʻomaikaʻi kēia.This is a blessing.
- E ʻimi i ka hoʻomaikaʻi.Seek a blessing.
- He hoʻomaikaʻi nui kēia.This is a great blessing.
Example conversation
Noelani and Kai are preparing for a traditional ceremony.
- NoelaniUa mākaukau ka hoʻomaikaʻi?Is the blessing ready?
- KaiʻAe, ua mākaukau ia.Yes, it is ready.
- NoelaniMaikaʻi, e hoʻomaka kākou.Good, let us begin.
- KaiE hele kākou.Let's go.
