How to Say “Cooking” in Hawaiian

By Joel Colin • Updated October 3, 2026

kuke

The Hawaiian word for the noun 'cooking' (in the sense of one's ability to prepare food or cookery) is kuke.

Meaning: one's ability to prepare food, cookery (noun)

Did you know?

The word kuke is a loanword borrowed from the English word 'cook'.
In traditional Hawaiian culture, the concept of cooking was historically tied to the imu, an underground oven used for steaming food.
Many traditional Hawaiian dishes are cooked using leaves from the ti plant to wrap and steam food.

Example conversation

Koa and Leilani are eating dinner together.

Koa

ʻO ia kēia ka kuke hou?
Is this the new cooking?
Leilani

ʻAe, he kuke Polinesia kēia.
Yes, this is Polynesian cooking.
Koa

Maikaʻi loa kou kuke, Leilani.
Your cooking is very good, Leilani.
Leilani

Mahalo nui, Koa!
Thank you very much, Koa!

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries kuke, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Joel Colin

Aloha everyone! I'm Joel, a polu Hawaiian language enthusiast and an island-Hawaiian at heart. Surfing through linguistic waves, I enjoy teaching others about this beautiful 'ōlelo, whether it's the formal or informal translation of everyday words or complex phrases. I also indulge in māka ia (fishing) and paniolo (horse riding) activities that add to the spirit of the islands. My passion for cooking lets me savor 'ono loa (delicious food). My posts, I hope, can deliver some tropical warmth and aloha spirit to you, just like saying 'Mahalo nui loa' (Thank you very much)!

Joel ColinHelp 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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