Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

vs. Ugly, unsightly, unseemly, unattractive, homely, wicked (frequently pūpuka for emphasis; if said with a friendly or admiring intonation among friends, it meant the opposite, i.e., beautiful, attractive; this was due to reluctance to express admiration for fear a sorcerer would in jealousy bewitch the admired person; it is also said in answer to the question pehea ʻoe, how are you, with meaning that one is improving but hesitates to say he is well for fear of bad luck).

• Examples:
  • ʻO ka mea e hāʻiliʻili aku i kona hoahānau, e, pupuka! e lilo ia i mea no ka ʻaha hoʻokolokolo (Mat. 5.22), the one who reviles his cousin, you fool! shall be liable to judgment.
  • He kanaka uʻi, akā he pupuka nā hana, a handsome person, but wicked in deeds.
• Related:
  • Pupuka pepeʻekue, grotesque.
  • Pupuka ʻino, pupuka haʻalele loa, extremely ugly, hideous.
  • hoʻopupuka Caus/sim.; To make ugly, disfigure, deform.
• References:
  • PCP puputa .

s., An epithet of reproach, signifying good for nothing.

adj., See puka and pukapuka, full of holes. LIT. Vain; without substance. Mat. 5:22. Anything full of holes; hence, worthless; having an unsightly appearance; of no value.

adj., Literally, Full of holes; hence, vain; without substance; worthless; having an unsightly appearance; of no value.

n., An epithet of reproach, signifying good for nothing.

Epithet of reproach, signifying good-for-nothing; anything full of holes, hence, worthless; having an unsightly appearance. Lit., vain, without substance.

I. he wahi olelo hoino, Mat. 5:22.

ugly; worthless.