Key definitions

‘Āina

Dictionary definition:
n. Land, earth, country.

Contextual meaning:
From a kuana‘ike Hawai‘i, or Hawaiian cultural worldview, the word “‘āina” carries foundational meanings that extend far beyond the physical land. It embodies the understanding that ‘āina is both ancestor and chief. The goddesses Haumea and Papa, progenitors of all kānaka (humans), are said to have bodies that are the earth itself. A well-known ‘ōlelo no‘eau, “He ali‘i ka ‘āina, he kauā ke kanaka—The land is chief, humankind its servant,” affirms this relationship. Just as chiefs and parents sustain their people and children, so too does ‘āina sustain all life.

‘Āina is also intimately connected to the kūpuna (elders) who have passed on, as their iwi (bones) are embraced by the land and, over generations, become part of it. This gives rise to the term “kulāiwi,” or “bone plains,” referring to one’s ancestral homeland.

Linguistically, ‘āina can also be understood as “that which feeds,” derived from “‘ai” (“to eat”) and na (an article that transforms a verb into a noun). Together, these cultural and linguistic layers reflect the deep and reciprocal relationship between kānaka and ‘āina—one of reverence, care, and shared life.

‘Āina Pauahi

Contextual meaning:
The descriptive term for land that Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha stewards. The ‘Āina Pauahi group refers to the department within Kamehameha.

Alaka‘i Lawelawe

Dictionary definition:
Servant leader.

Contextual meaning:
This is an E Ola! Learner Outcome that emphasizes servant leadership as a foundational expression of a Native Hawaiian identity. This principle guides leaders to serve with humility, kuleana, and deep pilina to our community and culture.

Ea

Dictionary definition:
A mindset, process, and action, rather than a destination. The life and breath that come from healthy, integral relationships with kānaka and ‘āina. The individual or collective agency to activate aloha ‘āina, accelerate ‘āina momona, and raise the well-being of our ‘āina, Kānaka ‘Ōiwi, ‘ohana, kaiāulu, lāhui, and honua. The capacity to exercise kuleana (authority and accountability), in decisions ranging from specific responsibilities to the broadest realms of sovereignty.

E Ola!

Dictionary definition:
To live, thrive, survive.

Contextual meaning:
A holistic learner outcomes framework developed by Kamehameha Schools to cultivate Native Hawaiian identity, academic excellence, and global leadership. It includes components such as ʻIke kupuna, Aloha ʻāina, Kūpono, Mālama, Kuleana, Kūlia, and Alakaʻi lawelawe.

E Ola ke Ea

Dictionary definition:
This phrase literally means, “May ea live and thrive,” or “Long live ea.”

Contextual meaning:
E ola ke ea is the promise of our welo, or brand. This phrase links E Ola!, which has been an expression of our Kamehameha identity since 2016, to ea, which is a key concept in our theory of change in Strategic Plan 2030.

Haumāna

Dictionary definition:
Student, pupil, apprentice, recruit, disciple.

Contextual meaning:
A learner at the center of our educational mission. At Kamehameha Schools, haumāna are nurtured academically, culturally, and spiritually and are empowered to lead their ‘ohana and lāhui.

Hawaiian culture-based education

Dictionary definition:
Grounded in Hawaiian culture, worldviews, and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i. Personalized to the unique context and path of each haumāna and ‘ohana. Responsive to the needs of our ‘āina and lāhui. Rigorous and relevant to modern, global environments and technologies.

Hoahana

Dictionary definition:
Fellow worker, colleague, partner. (2) Often used synonymously with limahana.

Honua

Dictionary definition:
Land, earth, world; fundamental.

Huaka‘i

Dictionary definition:
Trip, voyage, journey.

Contextual meaning:
In Kamehameha contexts, huaka‘i often refers to a learning opportunity outside the normal classroom or work environment.

‘Ike Kupuna

Dictionary definition:
Ancestral knowledge or wisdom.

Contextual meaning:
The insights, practices, understandings, and intuitive senses passed down through generations of kūpuna. At Kamehameha Schools, ‘ike kupuna forms a foundation for education, guiding values, identity, and decisions rooted in cultural continuity and respect for ancestral voices.

Kaiāulu

Dictionary definition:
Community, neighborhood, social environment.

Contextual meaning:
Encompasses not just physical locale but the shared relationships, cultural values, and collective responsibilities that hold people together. At Kamehameha Schools, kaiāulu reflects the broader community that learners and leaders serve and are nourished by.

Kānaka/Kānaka ‘Ōiwi

Dictionary definition:
humans

Kauoha

Dictionary definition:
Order, command, testament, decree, will, statement.

Contextual meaning:
At Kamehameha, kauoha refers to Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s final chiefly charge dedicating her estate to the education of her people. Her will, and her Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, carry a unique political standing that is grounded in the Hawaiian Kingdom and affirmed in US and international law. Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s kauoha was contextualized by her Christian faith.

Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha

Contextual meaning:
The educational institution founded in 1887 through the will of Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop to educate Native Hawaiian children. The school system includes three K-12 campuses, thirty preschools, scholarships, community partnerships, and numerous culturally stewarded lands that serve as ‘āina “classrooms” for E Ola! focused educational experiences for haumāna.

Kuleana

Dictionary definition:
Right, privilege, concern, responsibility.

Contextual meaning:
Kuleana is both a privilege and a responsibility, encompassing accountability, stewardship, and the culturally inherent obligation to uplift the lāhui and mālama both places and practices integral to thriving communities. It is a key to E Ola! outcomes, fostering community engagement and self-directed purpose.

Kūlia

Dictionary definition:
To strive, try; outstanding.

Contextual meaning:
To pursue excellence with intention and resilience. Kūlia is an E Ola! attribute that calls learners and leaders alike to rise to high standards grounded in cultural identity.

Kūpono

Dictionary definition:
Upright, honest, just, fair, suitable.

Contextual meaning:
Refers to honorable character and ethical behavior based on Hawaiian and Christian values.

Kūpuna

Dictionary definition:
Elders

Lāhui

Dictionary definition:
Nation, race, people, community.

Contextual meaning:
The collective Native Hawaiian people and nation. At Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha, the term invokes responsibility for cultural sustainability, sovereignty, and the regeneration of thriving communities.

Limahana

Dictionary definition:
Laborer, worker, employee. Often used synonymously with hoahana.

Mālama

Dictionary definition:
To care for, tend, protect, preserve.

Contextual meaning:
A central principle of care and stewardship, mālama encompasses responsibilities to self, ‘ohana, ‘āina, and lāhui. As part of E Ola!, it encourages learners to take thoughtful, loving action.

Ma kai

Dictionary definition:
Seaward, or toward the ocean.

Ma uka

Dictionary definition:
Inland, or toward the mountains.

Momona/‘Āina momona

Dictionary definition:
This phrase literally means “fat lands” or “fertile lands.”

Contextual meaning:
At Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha, ‘āina momona refers to vibrant, thriving lands across our pae ‘āina that provide the essential context for cultivating ‘Ōiwi leaders and form the basis for cultural, spiritual, ecological, economic, and community well-being needed for a thriving and self-determined lāhui. The concept of ‘āina momona embodies the pilina of ‘āina and kānaka in which the well-being of one is inextricably connected to the other, reinforcing their mutual flourishing.

Nīnau

Dictionary definition:
question; to inquire or interrogate.

‘Ohana

Dictionary definition:
Family, relative, kin group.

Contextual meaning:
Beyond biological ties, ‘ohana includes all those joined together through shared values and mutual support. At Kamehameha Schools, nurturing ‘ohana is essential to educational and cultural success.

‘Ōiwi

Dictionary definition:
Native, indigenous; native-born.

Contextual meaning:
Refers specifically to aboriginal Native Hawaiians—people with genealogical ties to the Hawaiian Islands tracing to the era before Westerners’ arrival to the islands. ‘Ōiwi is a lived identity rooted in ‘āina, ancestry, language, culture, and a sense of responsibility to uplift the lāhui. It affirms a deep relationship to ‘āina and to collective well-being.

‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i

Dictionary definition:
Hawaiian language.

Contextual meaning:
The language of the land and the medium through which ancestral knowledge, cultural practices, and identity are transmitted. ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi is foundational to Kamehameha Schools’ educational approach and identity.

‘Ōlelo no‘eau

Dictionary definition:
Proverb, wise saying, traditional saying.

Pae ‘āina

Dictionary definition:
Group of islands, archipelago.