moku
/ˈmo.ku/
The Hawaiian word for island is moku.
The word moku refers to an area of land completely surrounded by water.
Meaning: area of land completely surrounded by water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While moku is the default form, mokupuni is the formal term for island. In some contexts, moku is used as a shortened version of mokupuni.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈmo.ku/.
Did you know?
- The word moku can also be used to describe a large ship. This is a conceptual extension of the word meaning 'island', referring to something massive in comparison to a traditional Hawaiian canoe.
- The word moku shares the same root as the word for 'broken' or 'detached' in many other Pacific languages. This reflects the idea of an island being a piece of land that has been 'broken off' from a larger landmass.
- In traditional Hawaiian land division, a moku was not just a physical island but also a large administrative district within an island.
Examples in context
- Ua loaʻa iā ia ka hale ma ka mokupuni Hawaiʻi.He found a house on the island of Hawaii.
- He moku nani kēia.This is a beautiful island.
- E hele ana mākou i ka moku.We are going to the island.
Example conversation
Kiana and Kai are looking at a map of the Pacific.
- KianaHe moku kiʻi kēia?Is this a small island?
- KaiʻAe, he moku liʻi kēlā.Yes, that is a small island.
- KianaHālāwai paha kākou i kēlā moku.Maybe we will visit that island.
- KaiHe manaʻo maikaʻi kēlā, Kiana.That is a good idea, Kiana.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “island” translations and entries moku, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moku, CC BY-SA 4.0.
