Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. nvt., Sash, belt, girdle of any kind; sennit casket alleged to contain the bones of Līloa and Lonoikamakahiki, in Bishop Museum in 1976; protective cloth wrapped around an object; to bind, tie around, encircle, gird on; to put on, as armor or a mourning garment.

• Examples:
  • Hoʻi ʻo Keawe, kū i ke kāʻai (saying), Keawe returns, [his remains] bound in the sennit container [formerly said of newly dead].
• Related:
  • Also: kāʻei, kāhei.
• References:
  • See akua kāʻai.
  • PPN takai.

2. vt., To dig food crops, as taro, sweet potatoes.

Girdle or belt. (PE.)

Girdle put around the loins of the gods by the chief. It was made of vines.