Hawaiian Word of the Week: O ko`u la heo keia la

If you were to ask me to name my favorite Hawaiian band or musician, I’d have a hard time selecting just one. But Hawaiian Style Band would surely top the list. Their songs - everything from “Live A Little” to “Kaimana Hila” - provide the soundtrack to my summer. One song, “No Ke Ano Ahiahi,” has a line that I return to time and time again. It’s: “O ko`u la heo keia la,” which translates to “today is my day, the day I sail.” The line that follows is about unfurling the sails. When I’m down on myself or facing a tough week, I’ll play the song (originally a chant about King Lunalilo). It never fails to lift me up.

Never miss a Hawaiian word of the week when you sign up for our newsletter. Looking to keep the aloha vibes going all year long? We got you covered.