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

That same year, she voiced the Elvis-adoring Hawaiian girl Lilo in the animated hit Lilo & Stitch.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

With several films yet to be released, and riding his success from the global hit "A Minecraft Movie," Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa says he is living a unique moment.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Moore believes that this Hawaiian law, and others like it in the works in other states, have a good chance of surviving at the Supreme Court.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

County portion of the district, which includes Norwalk, Hawaiian Gardens, Artesia and Lakewood.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Wearing a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, he looked as though he disapproved.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides