How to Say “Have a Good Day” in Hawaiian

By Heidi Jean • Updated October 2, 2026

E loaʻa kahi lā maikaʻi

E loaʻa kahi lā maikaʻi is the Hawaiian way to say have a good day.

This phrase is used as a friendly parting expression to wish someone a positive experience for the rest of their day.

How does it change in a sentence?

In this phrase, the word maikaʻi is an adjective meaning 'good'. It is placed at the end of the phrase to modify lā (day).

Did you know?

The word lā meaning 'day' is a linguistic relative of the Malay word layar and the Tagalog word layag, both of which mean 'sail'.
When saying E loaʻa kahi lā maikaʻi, it is common to accompany the phrase with a warm smile or a slight nod to convey 'aloha', the spirit of love and peace.
The Hawaiian word maikaʻi used here for 'good' is also used to describe something that is 'correct' or 'righteous'.

Example conversation

Kai and Noelani are saying goodbye after a meeting.

Kai

Mahalo no kou kōkua, Noelani.
Thank you for your help, Noelani.
Noelani

ʻO ia mau, Kai.
You're welcome, Kai.
Kai

E loaʻa kahi lā maikaʻi!
Have a good day!
Noelani

ʻOe pū!
You too!

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries kahi, loaʻa, lā, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Heidi Jean

Aloha! I'm Heidi, your friendly island language enthusiast! With a love for the Hawaiian language that's as big as my passion for surfing, my aim is to share the beauty and nuances of this rich language with you. From formal to informal expressions, I've got you covered! When I'm not translating English terms to Hawaiian, you'll find me sipping on a steaming cup of Kona coffee, strumming my Ukulele, or riding the Hawaiian waves. Let's embark on this linguistic adventure together, my friends.

Heidi JeanHelp 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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