Although technically not related to you, your calabash cousins are so close that they become an extended part of the ʻohana (family). Obama even used this one in a graduation speech at Arizona State University. Yelling it to a friend will give them a boost of confidence to face their fears and take a risk (maybe not always in a good way) because they know you’re backing them up.

Some people say it when they see someone doing something crazy, others use it to say, “try your best”, “you can do it” or “don’t give up”. He geev’um brah!” Geev’um is like “go for it,” but means so much more and works in so many contexts. Kalua pig, squid luau, beef stew, pretty much any local food or plate lunch will do it. Everyone eats until they’re stuffed, sluggish, tired and about to fall asleep. Whenever there’s some ono grindz around, the kanak attack takes over. Take a look at the people at the end of a baby luau, graduation party, or after eating tutu’s homemade laulau. “Now it’s time fo grind.” It’s what you do when there is so much ono (good) food that you eat like there’s no tomorrow.

Each family arrives with tupperware and pots full of spam musubi, shoyu chicken, poke, fried rice, teri beef and mac salad. Just don’t embarrass yourself and show up with chips and salsa. Food is a huge part of the local Hawaiian culture you don’t know a true potluck until you’ve been to one in Hawaii. She’s usually a tomboy, speaks pidgin, and is super defensive about her hometown and family. Tita is reserved for a tough local chick who is not scared to get in a fight and doesn’t take anything from anyone. When someone says “tita”, there’s likely one person who comes to mind and everyone knows that you don’t mess with her.

English to pidgin hawaiian translation