aloalo
The Hawaiian word for hibiscus is aloalo.
aloalo is a noun used to refer to the hibiscus flower.
Meaning: flower (noun)
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian culture, wearing a flower like the aloalo behind the right ear signals that a person is single, while the left ear signals they are taken.
- The word aloalo is an example of reduplication, a process in Hawaiian where a root is repeated to form a new word. This is a common pattern in a language with a very limited alphabet.
- While aloalo is a specific name for the hibiscus, the word pua can also mean 'child' in a poetic or affectionate sense, reflecting the flower's connection to new life.
Example sentences for Hawaiian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Ikaika and Kiana are walking through a garden.
- IkaikaNānā i kēlā aloalo!Look at that hibiscus!
- KianaHe nani loa ia.It is very beautiful.
- IkaikaHiki ke hāʻawi i ka aloalo iā ʻoe?Can I give the hibiscus to you?
- KianaʻAe, mahalo nui, Ikaika.Yes, thank you very much, Ikaika.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hibiscus” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
