How to Say “Congrats” in Hawaiian

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hoʻomaikaʻi
The Hawaiian word for congrats is hoʻomaikaʻi.
hoʻomaikaʻi is used to express congratulations.
Meaning: congratulations (intj)

Did you know?

  • In Hawaiian culture, expressing praise often goes hand-in-hand with the concept of 'mana', or spiritual power, which is bolstered by positive words.
  • The word hoʻomaikaʻi literally translates to 'making good' or 'making fine' due to its causative prefix.
  • Because the Hawaiian language avoids clusters of consonants, the glottal stop represented by the ʻ in hoʻomaikaʻi is a full consonant that must be pronounced to be correct.

Examples in context

  • Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe!
    Congratulations to you!
  • Hoʻomaikaʻi iā kāua₂, e ke hoa!
    Congratulations to us both, my friend!

Example conversation

Kai is congratulating Noelani on winning a race.

  1. Kai

    Hoʻomaikaʻi, Noelani!
    Congratulations, Noelani!
  2. Noelani

    Mahalo nui, Kai!
    Thank you very much, Kai!
  3. Kai

    He mea kupaianaha kou holo ʻana.
    Your running was amazing.
  4. Noelani

    Mahalo no kou kōkua.
    Thank you for your support.

Sources

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Chase George
Chase GeorgeHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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Rob Newman
Rob Newman
February 5, 2026 15:00

Mahalo kēia mau hua ʻōlelo maikaʻi!

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