Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. n., Small- to moderate-sized, brightly colored wrasses, family Labridae.

• Related:
  • In addition to those listed below, hīnālea may be qualified by the terms ʻeleʻele, līpoa, lolo, nīʻau, nuku ʻiʻiwi, nuku ʻiʻiwi ʻula, nuku ʻiʻiwi uli, nuku loa, nuku loa ʻeleʻele.
  • Hīnālea was eaten raw as an aftertaste for kava.
  • It was prepared in the iʻa hoʻomelu fashion with kukui nuts and chili pepper; as this had a somewhat offensive smell, the phrase ipu kai hīnālea, dish of hīnālea sauce, was applied rudely to one with unpleasant breath, especially if he had the iʻa kui, nasal discharge.
• References:
  • Cf. ōpule.

2. n., A variety of taro.