Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

maiʻa

Haw to Eng, Pukui-Elbert (1986),

n., All kinds of bananas and plantains.

  • Examples:
    • Pala ka maiʻa, the bananas are ripe [a rude expression].
    • Hoʻohui ʻāina pala ka maiʻa, annexation is ripe bananas (no good for us).
  • References:
    • For banana cultivation, see Kam. 76:37–9.
    • Neal 245-51.
    • PEP m(a,e)ika.
  • Notes:
    • Originally the banana was introduced by the Hawaiians, and native varieties were developed, some of which are still used. When the white man came, about 70 different kinds were known; today, only about half that number. These are mainly varieties of Musa xparadisiaca, especially the varieties sapientum and normalis. Some kinds are eaten raw, others cooked.
    • Bananas were taboo to women except certain ones, as maiʻa iho lena and maiʻa pōpō ʻula, with yellow flesh.
    • Bananas are not mentioned in songs because of unfavorable connotations: see līlā, ʻolohaka.
    • It was considered bad luck to dream of bananas, to meet a man carrying bananas, or to take them in fishing canoes.

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maia

/ MAI-A / Haw to Eng, Andrews (1865),

s., The plantain, the banana and its different varieties; a fruit kapu for women to eat in ancient times.

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maia

/ MAI-A / Haw to Eng, Andrews (1865),

v., To chew in the mouth; to masticate; to soften for swallowing.

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maia

/ MAI-A / Haw to Eng, Andrews (1865),

adj., Chewed; ground up in the mouth; masticated; hoowaliia.

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maia

/ mā'-ī'-a / Haw to Eng, Parker (1922),

adj., Chewed; ground up in the mouth; masticated; hoowaliia.

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maia

/ māi'-ă / Haw to Eng, Parker (1922),

n., The plantain, the banana and its varieties; a fruit tabu for women to eat in ancient times.

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maia

/ mā'-ī'-a / Haw to Eng, Parker (1922),

v., [Doubtless a contraction of mamaia.] To chew in the mouth; to masticate; to soften for swallowing.

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maiʻa

Haw to Eng, Kent (1986),

The banana, a fruit of many varieties, kapu to women in ancient times. (A.)

maiʻa

Haw to Eng, Kent (1986),

Bananas (Musa spp.). Classified as large herbs but tree-like in form. Leaves supply a dye, as does the sap. (NEAL 245.) Native and introduced varieties.

maia

Haw to Eng, Kent (1986),

Bananas. See Plants: Uses; Bananas.

maiʻa

Haw to Eng, Kent (1986),

Banana (Musa spp.). Sap or juice from cut flower buds was used to strengthen the body or clear the ʻea (coated tongue) of sores. The flower bud was pounded and mixed with other things, then the juice was squeezed and strained and taken to relieve stomach cramps. As an aid for constipation, boiled, ripe bananas were mashed, mixed with other ground-up plants and water, and then strained. The ripe fruit was also eaten for arthritis. (BHK; NEAL 245.)

maiʻa

Haw to Eng, Kent (1986),

All kinds of bananas. The Hawaiians introduced the first bananas from which many cultivars were developed. In the post-Cook era many more species of Musa were introduced from the tropics of the old world. In Hawaiʻī, the fruit ripens throughout the year since few diseases or pests disturb the growth. One use of the banana stock and leaves is as containers for leis or plants to be transported. They can also be used for thatching, stringing leis, and tying and plaiting into clothing. (NEAL 245.)

maiʻa

Haw to Eng, Kent (1986),

Banana (Musa paradisica). Introduced by the Hawaiians. A staple food from earliest days. (NEAL 249.)

mai‘a

Haw to Eng, Judd/Pukui/Stokes (1943),

banana.

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