63 Hawaiian Last Names

Hawaii is home to many different cultures and ethnicities. They are known for their great food, beautiful beaches, and even more beautiful people! But what you may not know is that they have some very interesting last names. The following blog post will dive into what makes these last names so interesting and why they’re different from mainland American surnames. There are lots of unique, some difficult-to-pronounce Hawaiian last names out there so we’ve compiled a list that should help you with your next visit to the Aloha state:

Hawaiian surnames

Kahale is a Hawaiian surname indicating the place where we commonly seek comfort, ‘the home.’

Mahoe is a rare Hawaiian surname that means ‘twins.’ The name also indicates a ‘small bushy tree.’

Kelekolio is the Hawaiian version of the English name ‘Gregory,’ which itself has its origin in Ancient Greek.

Iosua is derived from the biblical name ‘Joshua’. This surname of Hawaiian origin means ‘wise’ and has its root in Hebrew.

Mahina is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin. It means ‘moon’ or ‘month.’

Kawehi originated as a nickname for someone with dark skin—literally, the words mean ‘dark red.’

Kaapuwai has a Hawaiian origin that means ‘sugar.’ It is related to the surname Kaupu, which indicates a person who lives or worked near sugarcane fields.

Polo is a surname of Hawaiian origin that means ‘wanderer.’ 

Pueo has a Hawaiian origin and it indicates an ‘owl,’ as is the famous short story character from the native legends. 

Aiakeakua has its origin in the name of a god of the sea and healing.

Kaawa has its origin in the word ‘cowardly’ and refers to a ‘timid’ or ‘fearful person.’ 

Waiwai means ‘lucky’ and is derived from the Polynesian word ‘wai’ for ‘water.’ 

Ahaolelo means ‘without speaking’ and is derived from the word ‘ahaolelo’ that literally means ‘speechless.’ 

Koani. It is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin. It means ‘vibrations.’ 

Hookanaka. This surname of Hawaiian origin means “don’t touch.” It is derived from the word ‘huki’ which means ‘touch.’ 

Pahuhu is an ancient surname used by chiefs who resided at Pahuulu, near Hilo. 

Papa means ‘earth’ and is derived from the Polynesian word ‘papa,’ which means ‘flat or level.’

Kaleohano is an ancient surname attributed to those who were brave, strong-willed, honorable people.

Kaui. This surname has its origin in the name of an island in the Pacific Ocean that was divided into four kingdoms. 

Hoku has a Polynesian and Hawaiian origin. The word ‘hoku’ means ‘star’, and this surname is attributed to those who were born in the month of the star.

Kawelo. It is a surname of Hawaiian origin that means ‘dance.’ 

Kekai has Polynesian and Hawaiian origins and means ‘one who works in wood or carpenter.’

Puhi. The surname Puhi has its origin in the geographical location where the first chiefs lived after they fled from Hawaii—it is a nickname for the island of O’ahu that means ‘fern flower.’ 

Pakuakea is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin. It refers to those who are ‘white from the sea spray.’

Kawai is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that means ‘distinguishable mark on the island, belonging to someone.’ 

Akela. This surname of Hawaiian origin means ‘lucky.’ It derives from the word akela, which means ‘good luck.”

Kiha is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that means ‘greed, avarice.’ 

Ikuwa. It indicates a ‘coming together’ or to ‘join.’ It derives from the word ikuwā which means ‘to join together.’ This surname is the root of several other surnames like Ikuwai, Okuwai, and Okumu.

Kaha means ‘strong-minded woman.’ It derives from the word kāhā, which means ‘turtle’ or ‘stubborn.’

Haole is a surname that originated through one of several Hawaiian legends. 

Keli is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that means ‘to seize.’ 

Manuwai. This surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin means ‘one who feeds or provides for others,’ or more commonly, ‘a provider.’ It originates from the word ‘manu’ that means ‘bird’ or ‘food’ and ‘wai’ which means ‘water.

Kanoho is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that refers to a ‘rosy-cheeked, good-looking’ person. It derives from the word kanohi which means ‘face.’

Makanoe has Hawaiian origins and indicates a person who was born at night or worked at night. It derives from the word ‘ mākani’ which means ‘night.’

Pihanakalani is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that means ‘heavenly chief.’ 

Kahoali’i. This surname refers to a person who has a black ‘kaha’ or ‘mark.’ It derives from the word ‘ka’ which means ‘the color,’ and ‘haoa’ which means ‘mark’.

Kaulu is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that refers to a person who had red-colored hair. It derives from the word kaʻuluʻu, which means ‘red.’ 

Manana is a surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin means ‘one who is happy.’ 

Hamahona indicates a person with a high forehead, or more commonly, it refers to someone who was born in the month of March. It derives from the two words ha and māhuna which mean ‘hammer-head shark.’ 

Kipihea means ‘trapped.’ It derives from the word ‘kipi’ which means ‘trap,’ and ‘hea’ which means ‘to catch or hook into something.’ 

Koa. The surname of Polynesian and Hawaiian origin that means ‘tree.’

Kekoa indicates a person who is born in the month of May, or more commonly, it refers to a brave and strong individual. It derives from two words ‘ke’ and ‘koa’ which mean ‘the color’ and ‘tree.’ 

Lepo has Polynesian and Hawaiian origins that mean ‘sore.’ It derives from the word ‘lepo’ which means ‘to be dirty or soiled.’ 

Lopa refers to a person who is born in the month of July, or more commonly, it refers to a strong individual. It derives from the two words ‘lo’ and ‘pa’ which mean ‘the month’ and ‘strength.’ 

Kapua means ‘plump or chubby.’ It has its origin in the word ‘kāpua’ which means ‘rolled up’ or ‘fat.’ 

Kanakoi. The surname means ‘forehead,’ or more commonly, it refers to a person who is hard-working and strong. It derives from the two words kā and nako which mean ‘front’ and ‘strength.’ 

Nahulu means ‘tall.’ It has its origin in the word nā which means ‘the’ and hulu which means ‘long feather, wing, or skirt.’ 

Nalua means ‘fishing line that is used by Hawaiians for fishing,’ or more commonly it refers to a person who was born in the month of November. It derives from the word ‘alu’ which means ‘thread,’ and ‘lua’ which means ‘month.’ 

Palani has its origin in the word pālani which means a hill that is high or a chief who rules. It can also refer to someone high-ranking. 

Iokepa means ‘like a god,’ or more commonly it refers to a person who has the same family name as that of another person. It derives from the two words ‘iʻo’ which means ‘to look like,’ and ‘kepa’ which means ‘a god.’ 

Lei has Polynesian and Hawaiian origins that mean ‘nest.’ It derives from the word ‘lei’ which means ‘to rest or lay an egg in a nest.’ 

Mako indicates a person who is born in the month of September, or someone who has dark skin, dark hair, or dark eyes. It derives from the two words ‘mā’ which means ‘dark’ and ‘ko’ which means ‘born at.’ 

Kamaki means ‘the month when the young coconut or kūmara is ready for harvest,’ or it can refer to a person who has dark skin. It derives from the word ‘mā’ which means ‘dark’ and ‘kaki’ which means ‘the month of November.’ 

Hokulani. The surname means ‘of god, heavenly, celestial,’ or it refers to a person who is from the north side of the island. It derives from two words ‘hoku’ which means ‘the star’ and ‘lani’ which means ‘heaven, sky, king, chief, or god.’ 

Hoaloha has its origin in the word ‘hoa’ which means ‘companion’ and ‘loha’ which means ‘trust.’ It can also refer to someone friendly. 

Haalilio. This surname has its origin in the word hā which means ‘flower, blossom, or tree that blossoms’, and lio which means ‘cruel, rough, or harsh.’ It can also refer to a person who is a poet or who writes songs. 

Hoapili has Polynesian and Hawaiian origins that mean ‘closer to the king.’ It derives from the two words ‘hoa’ which means ‘companion’ and ‘pili’ which means ‘closer.’ 

Hameha refers to a shark, or more commonly it refers to someone who is respected by others because of their age. It derives from the two words ‘hā’ which means ‘to have, possess, or hold’, and ‘meha’ which means a shark. 

Hauoli has its origin in the word ‘hau’ which means ‘scent’ or ‘aroma.’ It can also refer to someone who is happy, satisfied, or contented. 

Haumea. This surname of Polynesian origin means ‘hard-working’ or it refers to a female whose origins are from another island or another person. It derives from the two words ‘hau’ which means ‘to work hard’ and ‘mea’ which means ‘person.’ 

Haunani refers to a benefactor or noble one who is loved, or it can refer to someone whose origins are from another island or another person. It derives from the two words ‘hau’ which means ‘to be generous’ and ‘nani’ which means ‘lovely.’ 

Haapalua has its origin in the word ‘haupu’ which means ‘tremendous, excessive, immoderate, infinite, boundless, hopeless’, and ‘lua’ which means ‘two.’ It can also refer to someone who is part-Hawaiian.

Conclusion

I hope that you have learned some interesting facts about Hawaii and the surnames that the locals use. Feel free to browse some other articles on similar subjects or discover other fascinating topics.