Nā Wahine Quotes

“Learning from my tūtū and aunty meant being very disciplined; there was no fooling around. You had to watch, listen and follow. There wasn't a whole lot of in-depth explanation of what you were doing. You were expected to know it.

Hōkūlani Hold-Padilla”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Ku i poholima ua mea he wahine maika'i.

A beautiful woman stands on the palm of the hand.

A beautiful woman makes one desire to caress and serve her.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“He 'upena nae; 'a'ohe i'a hei 'ole.

It is a fine-meshed net; there is no fish that it does not fail to catch.

Said of a woman who never fails to attract the opposite sex.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Luhi wahine 'ia.

Labored over by a woman.

Spoken in respect and admiration of a family reared by a woman who alone fed and clothed them.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“...A majestic wahine with small, bare feet, a grand, swinging, deliberate gait, hibiscus blossoms in her flowing hair, and a lei of yellow flowers flowing over her holoku, marching through these streets, has a tragic grandeur of appearance, which makes the diminutive, fair-skinned haole, tottering along hesitatingly in high-heeled shoes, look grotesque by comparison.

Isabella Bird”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Oh, honest Americans, as Christians hear me for my down-trodden people! Their form of government is as dear to them as yours is precious to you. Quite as warmly as you love your country, so they love theirs...It is for them that I would give the last drop of my blood; it is for them that I would spend, nay, am spending, everything belonging to me. Will it be in vain? It is for the American people and their representatives in Congress to answer these questions. As they deal with me and my people, kindly, generously, and justly, so may the Great Ruler of all nations deal with the grand and glorious nation of the United States of America.

Queen Lili'uokalani, 1896”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“What is marriage, mother?
Child, it is spinning, having children, making money, and weeping.

Portuguese proverb”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Na to tamahine ka pai i ta kina mai ai teni ke keno ki konei.

It was this lovely girl who brought the seal here.

Visits were often made by the sea, so the beautiful young woman draws lovers to her as though they were seals coming in from the sea.

Maori proverb”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Hā'awe i ke kua; hi'i i ke alo.

A burden on the back; a babe in the arms.

Said of a hard-working woman who carries a load on her back and a baby in her arms.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“O ka papa he'e nalu kēia, pahe'e i ka nalu ha'i o Makaiwa.

This is the surfboard that will glide on the rolling surf of Makaiwa.

A woman's boast. Her beautiful body is like the surfboard on which her mate "glides over the rolling surf.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Without women there is no day and no night.

Japanese Proverb”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Ang dalagang nagpopormal sa kangyang kalagayan,
Hindi pagpapahamakan, ninum angwalang pitagan.

A woman who is dignified in her ways is respected ever by the irreverent.

Filipino proverb”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i

“Aia no ka pua i luna.

The flower is still on the tree.

A compliment to an elderly woman.
Her beauty still remains.”
― Mary Kawena Pukui, Nā Wahine: Hawaiian Proverbs and Inspirational Quotes Celebrating Women in Hawai'i