Hawaiian Word
Ka Hua `Ôlelo Hawai`i

`A`ohe o kâhi nânâ o luna o ka pali.
The top of the cliff is not the place to look at us.
Learn the details.

lama
[lah' mah]
light

lama. n. 1. Torch, light, lamp. >> First Hawaiian Newspaper: Ka Lama Hawai`i (The Hawaiian Luminary) 2.All endemic kinds of ebony (Diospyros sandwicensis, synonym Maba), hardwood trees with small flowers and fruits. >> Photograph Lama wood was used in medicine and placed in hula altars because its name suggested enlightenment >> Plants of the Hula Altar ; huts were built of lama wood in a single day during daylight (lama) hours, and the sick were placed inside them for curing. 3. Also rama. Rum; any intoxicating drink. Eng. He kanaka inu lama, a person fond of drinking; a drinker or heavy drinker.

 

Word Derivatives of Lama:

Lamakû. Lama (light) + kû (stand) Large torch with the light coming from burning kukui nuts strung on a coconut midrib and wrapped in dried ti leaves and placed at the tips of bamboo handles; lantern; sparks as of a torch. >> Kû Lama: UH Newsletter

Lamakû o ka na`auao.
[lah mah KOO' - oh - kah - nah au wao']
Said of great thinkers.

"Fishermen made torches out of kukui nuts wrapped in leaves on top of a pole. The lamakû was a large torch made out of a short piece of the coconut leaf midrib. On the midrib, they would string kukui kernels to make the torch. If the Hawaiians wanted a brighter light they put roasted kukui nuts in a hollow piece of bamboo and lit them. Candles... were made by stringing the kernels on coconut midribs or on slivers of bamboo. The children's job was to keep turning the candle so the next nut would light. Each kernel would burn for two to three minutes. Lamps... gave a light that lasted longer." ~ kukui.com

lamakuhikuhi. Lama (light) + kuhikuhi (pointing) Beacon, signal light.

lamalama. 1. Torch; to go torch fishing. 2. Fair-complexioned; bright looking; animated; vivacious; to glow.

Lamalama ka `ili
[lah' mah lah'mah - kah- ee'lee]
To glow with health

The Polynesians call it lamalama ka'ili, enjoying every moment in your life, even those times when you are feeling ill or not too happy with your life. The Polynesians taught that a joyful and healthy life was based on our seventh sense the instinctive drive to what is healthful and pleasurable. ~ about.com

Ka i`a lamalama i ka pali.
[kai' ah - lah' mah lah'mah - ee - kah - pah' lee]
The fish caught by torching along the seacoast.
The `a`ama, a crab that is often caught at night
by torching along the rocky shore.

malama. 1. Light, month, moon. 2. Perhaps.

Mâlama ulu mai ka `ano`ano.
[mah lah mau' loo - mai - kah - ah' noh ah' noh]
Perhaps the seeds will grow.



mâlama. 1. To take care of, tend, attend, care for, preserve, protect, beware, save, maintain; to keep or observe, as a taboo; to conduct, as a service; to serve, honor, as good; care, preservation, support, fidelity, loyalty; custodian, caretaker, keeper. 2. Pancreas.

Mâlama pono!
[MAH' lah mah - poh'noh]
In perfect light.
Take care! Watch out! Be careful!

 

Mâlama in Action:

>> Mâlama Hawai`i
>> Mâlama `Âina
>> Ka Po`e Mâlama `Âina
>> "Aloha 'aina, malama' aina, ahupua'a style living..."
>> The Fragile Island Environment - Mâlama 'Aina
>> `Ahahui Mâlama I Ka Lôkahi
>> Mâlama Nâ Wahine Hâpai (Caring for Pregnant Women)
>> Mâlama Learning Facility
>> Hui Mâlama I Nâ Kupûna `O Hawaii`i Nei -
Group Caring for the Ancestors of Hawai`i

>> Mâlama o Mânoa

>> Go on a Field Trip and Find the Lama Tree

A few yards down the trail, look for a sign in the medium-sized, black-trunked lama tree (right). This endemic relative of the Japanese persimmon has small leaves, tiny clusters of pink flowers and small red fruits. Its hard ebony wood was used by native Hawaiians for house rafters, and ceremonially in hula hâlau. Lama translates as "enlightenment" and the wood on the altar represented Laka, goddess of hula. (Abbott 1992)

Reference: Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., HAWAIIAN DICTIONARY. How to get your own copy.

 

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