Hawaiian

American  

[huh-wahy-uhn, -wah-yuhn] / həˈwaɪ ən, -ˈwɑ jən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Hawaii or the Hawaiian Islands.

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noun

• Hawaiians
  plural

1. a native or inhabitant of Hawaii or the Hawaiian Islands.

2. the aboriginal language of Hawaii, a Polynesian language.

Hawaiian British  

/ həˈwaɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Hawaii, its people, or their language

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Hawaii, esp one descended from Melanesian or Tahitian immigrants

2. a language of Hawaii belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Hawaiians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Hawaiian

First recorded in 1815–25; Hawaii + -an

Compare meaning

How does hawaiian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Polynesian vs. Hawaiian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Hawaiian Hawaiians

First Hawaiian would retain Tri Counties Bank branding on the mainland, according to the companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

Researchers also discovered another unexpected similarity between the Himalayan and Hawaiian species.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

Kirkland said the regulations would have especially affected cities like Bell Gardens and Hawaiian Gardens, where casinos represent nearly 70% of the general fund.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

I like to make them with sweet bread rolls, like King’s Hawaiian, but any slider bun works perfectly.

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

For example, Hawaiian history was repeatedly punctuated by revolts against repressive chiefs, usually led by younger brothers promising less oppression.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Hawaiians were finally allowed to get permits to carry concealed weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

Recent data show rates among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are approaching those of non-Hispanic white women, she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026

He then urged his fellow Hawaiians to check in on their local communities and do what they can to support their neighbors.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 30, 2026

So, museums have started returning human remains from communities such as the Maori tribes of New Zealand, the Mudan warriors of Taiwan, the Aboriginal people of Australia and the Native Hawaiians.

From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2024

Instead of standard English, everyone spoke Hawaiian Pidgin, a language mash-up created by Hawaiians and early Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and American immigrants.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge