koa
The Hawaiian word for warrior is koa.
koa refers to a person actively engaged in battle, conflict or warfare. In a modern context, the term is often used metaphorically to describe an individual possessing great strength, courage or spirit.
Meaning: person actively engaged in battle, conflict or warfare (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word koa can also refer to the koa tree, which was historically used to manufacture weapons and canoes for warriors.
Did you know?
- The word koa shares a linguistic root with the word for the 'heart' or 'pith' of a tree in Indonesian, suggesting a deep connection between the essence of a plant and the spirit of a person.
- A person described as a koa is not just judged by their physical strength, but by the quality of their 'mana' or spiritual power.
Examples in context
- Ke akamai a me ka hanohano o ka poʻe koa i loko o ka moʻolelo Hawaiʻi.The wisdom and honor of warriors in Hawaiian history.
- Eia ka puka lauoho ʻokoʻa o ka poʻe koa i kēia ʻāina.Behold the distinctive helmet of the warriors in this land.
- He koa kupaianaha kēia.This is an amazing warrior.
Example conversation
Kai and Leilani are discussing a historical legend.
- KaiHe koa kupuna kēia kanikau.This chant is about an ancestral warrior.
- LeilaniUa lilo ʻo ia i mea hoʻohana?Did he become a leader?
- KaiʻAe, he koa koʻikoʻi ʻo ia.Yes, he was an important warrior.
- LeilaniHe moʻolelo kupaianaha kēlā.That is an amazing story.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry koa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
