koʻa
/ˈko.ʔa/
The Hawaiian word for coral is koʻa. If unsure, use koʻa. Wiktionary also lists ʻākoʻakoʻa.
Meaning: species or colony (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| koʻa | /ˈko.ʔa/ |
| ʻākoʻakoʻa |
In Hawaiian, the term refers to coral as a species or a colony.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈko.ʔa/. The first of the two syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- The word koʻa shares its roots with the word for 'rock' in many other Polynesian languages, such as the Rapa Nui toka, because early settlers viewed coral reefs as submerged stone structures.
- In traditional Hawaiian thought, coral reefs are often viewed as the 'bones' of the ocean floor, providing the structural foundation for marine life.
- The term ʻākoʻakoʻa is a reduplicated form of koʻa, a common Hawaiian linguistic pattern used to intensify a meaning or indicate a large abundance of something.
Examples in context
- 'O Palai ka inoa o kekahi koa keokeo i loko o ke kai.Palai is the name of a white coral in the ocean.
- He koʻa ka mea i loaʻa i ka moana.The thing found in the ocean is coral.
- Maikaʻi ka koʻa ma kēia wahi.The coral is beautiful in this place.
- Ua ʻike ʻia ka koʻa i loko o ka wai.The coral was seen inside the water.
Example conversation
Noelani and Kai are snorkeling in the ocean.
- NoelaniE nānā i kēia koʻa!Look at this coral!
- KaiHe inoa pilikino paha kona?Does it perhaps have a special name?
- NoelaniʻAʻole au i ʻike i kona inoa.I do not know its name.
- KaiHe mea kupaianakahi ka koʻa.The coral is a wonderful thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coral” translations and entries koʻa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koʻa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
