Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. n., Ink sac in octopus or squid; after salting, drying, and broiling on the fire, it is mixed with ʻinamona or chili peppers and eaten; mixed with ʻauhuhu juice it is used as bait.

• Figuratively, useless.
• Examples:
  • Ahu ka ʻalaʻala! Just a pile of squid ink sac [no use]!
  • He aha ka ʻalaʻala o kēnā mea āu i hoʻihoʻi mai nei? What’s the good of that octopus ink sac you’ve brought home?
  • He aha kāna ʻalaʻala? What’s he good for?
  • He aha kō ʻalaʻala (For. 5:569)? What's your reason?

2. nvs., Scar of a scrofulous sore; to be so scarred; perhaps tuberculosis adenitis.

• Examples:
  • Mai ʻalaʻala paha auaneʻi i ka ua kawaʻahia, perhaps his neck will be scarred in the rain of Kawaʻahia [in trouble].
• References:
  • Kam. 64:115.
  • PNP kakala ; cf. Rennellese kakaga.

3. n., Aerial tubers of bitter yam, hoi (Dioscorea bulbifera 🌐).

n., Small ʻalā stones.

hoʻālaala Reduplication of hoʻāla; to keep awake; to awaken or reawaken; to incite to action.

• Examples:
  • He mea hoʻālaala ke kope, coffee is something that keeps [one] awake.
• References:
  • Cf. ʻoālaala.
  • PPN araara .