You probably didn't come here to learn the Hawaiian language. That's good, because I'm not here to teach it. On the other hand, unless you've lived in Hawaii, some of the words and terms in Iniki might be unfamiliar. Here are some loose definitions that should help. Be aware, though, that many Hawaiian words have multiple meanings, and the definitions that I use might be located pretty far down the list.

​

​     Iniki is primarily the first draft of the story, and I have no intention to process it further. When I wrote it I was still in disbelief that I was even alive, and wanted to convey the urgency of my adventure / miracle. The pace, word selection, and sequence of events poured out of me in the course of two days at Mom's apartment at Kona Palms, and is essentially the first and truest  description of what I went through. A few misspellings have been corrected, but I've resisted changing words or expressions to more accurate or appropriate ones. Yes, it could be slicker, or smoother, but this has the urgency of the first telling, because that's what it is. This is hot off the mountain - you are the first person to hear it.

Namakani    The winds. Inspired by Iniki, this is the name of the entire site.

Iniki            Strong and piercing,as wind or pangs of love.

Haleakala    House Of The Sun          the eastern shield volcano on Maui.

Kona           Leeward, dry side of an island - specifically, the west side of the island of Hawaii.

Pulehu         To broil.

Maui           2nd largest Hawaiian island         A polynesian demigod instrumental in shaping the Islands.

Okole          Buttocks, anus.

Kula            Plain, field, pasture, open country.  A district on Maui.

Poli-poli      (not sure)  Poli refers to a breast, bosom, or depression. 

Ahina          Gray / gray or white hair. Silver was not present in old Hawaii, but my friends use ahina to refer

                    to silvery things, like their car, or moonlight, and that's how I use it here.

Pele             Goddess of the volcano  / the volcano itself.

O'ahu           3rd largest Hawaiian island

Kaupo          (not sure) Gap in Haleakala's caldera wall on the south side - that location (Kaupo lava flow).

Kohala         Northwest tip of Hawaii island. Oldest and lowest shield volcano on that island.

Mauna Kea  Snow Mountain. Highest shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands.

Hualalai       3rd highest volcano on Hawaii island - located on the west side overlooking north Kona.

     For further research try Na Puke Wehewehe Olelo Hawaii at wehewehe.org.  

​     The Hawaiian language is so rich and melodious - do your ears a favor and listen to it.

          ​HAWAIIAN WORDS   /   ABOUT INIKI

NAMAKANI

THE WINDS