kona

¹ American  

[koh-nuh] / ˈkoʊ nə /

noun

1. a southwesterly winter wind in Hawaii, often strong and bringing rain.

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Kona ² American  

[koh-nah] / ˈkoʊ nɑ /

noun

1. a district along the west coast of the Island of Hawaii in southeastern Hawaii, divided administratively into North Kona and South Kona districts.

2. Official Name Kailua-Kona.  a town in North Kona district, and the largest town in the district of Kona: the first capital, 1795–1820, of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii.

3. Kona coffee.

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Etymology

Origin of kona¹

Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1860–65

Origin of Kona²

From Hawaiian kona “leeward or dry side” (of the island)

Example Sentences

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the entire state through Thursday as a kona low, or subtropical cyclone, west of the island chain generated moist and humid conditions.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2023

Previous studies indicate kona lows may happen less frequently as a result of climate change.

From Scientific American • Dec. 7, 2021

Ia manawa, hooholo ae la ka Makaula i kona manao e holo i Oahu, i maopopo ai ia ia kana mea e ike nei.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

Noho iho la o Laieikawai a hala na la eha e like me ke kauoha a kona kupunawahine.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

A hala aku la o Kahalaomapuana, a hui me kona mau kaikuaana, ninau mai la nae kona mau kaikuaana i kana hana, a me ke ano o ko laua halawai ana me ke Alii.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren