kōkua
/koːˈku.a/
The English word "help" is translated into Hawaiian as kōkua.
The word kōkua is used to provide assistance to someone or something. Beyond a simple one-time act of assistance, it often describes the broader concept of mutual aid or community support.
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word kōkua functions as both a verb meaning "to help" and a noun meaning "help" or "assistance".
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /koːˈku.a/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In many formal Hawaiian contexts, offering kōkua is seen as a way to maintain 'pono', or social and spiritual balance, within the community.
- In traditional Hawaiian social structures, kōkua was essential for the maintenance of the loʻi or taro patches, where entire families would help each other regardless of whose land it was.
- While kōkua is the general term for help, the phrase kōkua mai is specifically used when asking for help for oneself, as the particle mai indicates the action is coming toward the speaker.
Examples in context
- E kōkua ana kēia.This will help.
Example conversation
Noelani is carrying heavy boxes into her house.
- NoelaniKeanu, hiki iā ʻoe ke kōkua?Keanu, can you help?
- KeanuʻAe, e kōkua ana au iā ʻoe.Yes, I will help you.
- NoelaniMahalo nui iā ʻoe.Thank you very much.
- KeanuʻAʻole pilikia.No problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “help” translations and entries kōkua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
