kanaka

American  

[kuh-nak-uh, -nah-kuh, kan-uh-kuh] / kəˈnæk ə, -ˈnɑ kə, ˈkæn ə kə /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a Native Hawaiian.

2. a South Sea islander.

---

Kanaka British  

/ kəˈnækə, ˈkænəkə /

noun

1. (esp in Hawaii) a native Hawaiian

2. (often not capital) any native of the South Pacific islands, esp (formerly) one abducted to work in Australia

---

Etymology

Origin of kanaka

From Hawaiian: “person”

Example Sentences

The kanaka of Hawaii, the Native Hawaiians who inhabit the islands, value ’ohana, which extends beyond the familial ties of blood.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 26, 2023

To most people in the state — Hawaiians and residents of the islands who are not kanaka maoli — these battles royal are hardly the main problem.

From Washington Post • Sep. 16, 2022

In the late 1960s and into the ’70s, Native Hawaiians, the kanaka maoli, led a revival of interest in Hawaii’s history, language, music, dance and other traditional arts.

From Washington Post • Sep. 16, 2022

There has been no wholesale return of Hawaiian crown lands to the kanaka maoli, only promises and fitful attempts at restitution amid generations of wistful nostalgia and frustration.

From Washington Post • Sep. 16, 2022

Hoole aku la ua wahi kanaka nei, me ka i aku, "Aole au i ike mamua, akahi no wau a ike, a he mea malahini ia i ko'u mau maka."

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren