Maoli
/məˈoʊ.li/noun
A Hawaiian word meaning native, indigenous, genuine, or true.
Did you know?In the phrase kanaka maoli, Maoli identifies Native Hawaiians and emphasizes indigeneity, authenticity, and belonging to Hawaiʻi rather than merely geographic residence.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Polynesian
PPN
*ma(a)oli
“Reconstructed form associated with what is native, genuine, or customary; exact prehistoric development is debated.”
Early Polynesian
Polynesian
maoli / mauri
“Related Polynesian forms developed meanings involving native identity, authenticity, or vital essence in different branches.”
Pre-contact Hawaiʻi
Hawaiian
maoli
“Native, indigenous, genuine, real, or true.”
Traditional Hawaiian usage
Hawaiian
kanaka maoli
“Native Hawaiian person; literally, a person who is genuinely or indigenously of Hawaiʻi.”
19th Century
English
Maoli
“Adopted in English-language writing as a term referring to Native Hawaiians or Hawaiian indigeneity.”
Modern English
English
Maoli
“A Hawaiian cultural and ethnic term, commonly encountered in discussions of Native Hawaiian identity and sovereignty.”