How to Say “Goat” in Hawaiian

By Chase George • Updated October 2, 2026

kao

kao is the Hawaiian word for goat.

kao is used to refer to the animal known as a goat.

Meaning: animal (noun)

Did you know?

The word kao has two distinct origins in Hawaiian, appearing both as a phonetic loanword from the English 'goat' and as an ancient term meaning 'spear' or 'lance'.
In Hawaii, the animals called kao are viewed as invasive species that threaten the native forests.
The spelling of kao for 'goat' is a simplified way to capture the English sound into the Hawaiian phonetic system.

Examples in context

He kao kēia.
This is a goat.
Ua ʻike ʻia ka kao.
The goat was seen.

Example conversation

Ikaika and Malia are visiting a farm.

Ikaika

He kao kela, ʻe Malia?
Is that a goat, Malia?
Malia

ʻAe, he kao kela.
Yes, that is a goat.
Ikaika

He nani ka kao.
The goat is beautiful.
Malia

ʻAe, he nani loa.
Yes, it is very beautiful.

Sources

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

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About The Author

Chase George

Aloha! I'm Chase, an enthusiast of Hawaiian culture and language. Through my writing, I paint broad strokes with words, unearthing the beauty of the Hawaiian's melodic dialect. My love for nature, sports, animals, and sharing life's blessings finds a home in my work. When I'm not playing basketball or gazing at stars, I enjoy immersing myself within 'ohana' (family) and translating common words and phrases to Hawaiian. Ho'omaika'i 'Ana (Congratulations) to me, for I am ever ready to dive deep into the Pacific ocean of Hawaiian language to draw out pearls of wisdom for you. Let’s kākau (write)!

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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