Happy New Year in Hawaiian

To wish someone a Happy New Year in Hawaiian, you say:

“Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou”

Here is the breakdown of how to say it and what it means:

• Pronunciation: how-OH-lee mah-kah-HEE-key ho

• Meaning:

  • Hauʻoli: Happy

  • Makahiki: Year

  • Hou: New

If someone says it to you first, you can reply with “Mahalo, iā ʻoe pū” (mah-HAH-loh, ee-YAH oy poo), which means “Thank you, to you as well.”

Here are more Hawaiian wishes and phrases you can use for the New Year, special occasions, or just to send good vibes:

New Year & Celebration Extensions

If you want to go beyond the standard “Happy New Year,” try these:

• Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou me ka hauʻoli piha

  • Pronunciation: how-OH-lee mah-kah-HEE-key ho may kah how-OH-lee pee-ha

  • Meaning: Happy New Year with full joy.

• E pili mau nā pōmaikaʻi iā ʻoe

  • Pronunciation: eh pee-lee mau nah poh-my-kah-ee ee-yah oy

  • Meaning: May blessings always be with you.

• Kāmau!

  • Pronunciation: kah-mow

  • Meaning: Cheers! (Literally “to persevere” or “continue,” used as a toast when raising a glass).

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General Well-Wishes

• E mālama pono

  • Pronunciation: eh mah-lah-mah poh-no

  • Meaning: Take good care / Be safe. (Great for ending a conversation or email).

• Hauʻoli Lā Hānau

  • Pronunciation: how-OH-lee lah hah-now

  • Meaning: Happy Birthday.

• Pōmaikaʻi

  • Pronunciation: poh-my-kah-ee

  • Meaning: Good luck / Blessing.

Signing Off Cards or Messages

• Me ke aloha

  • Pronunciation: may kay ah-low-hah

  • Meaning: With love (A classic way to sign a letter or text).

• Me ka haʻahaʻa

  • Pronunciation: may kah ha-ah-ha-ah

  • Meaning: With humility (A respectful sign-off).

• A hui hou

  • Pronunciation: ah hoo-wee ho

  • Meaning: Until we meet again.

Pro Tip:

In Hawaiian, the mark that looks like a backward apostrophe (ʻ) is called an ʻokina. It signifies a glottal stop—a quick pause in your voice, like the break in the middle of “uh-oh.”