Kamaʻāina

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A Kamaʻāina by Grace Hudson

Kamaʻāina (Hawaiian: kamaʻāina, lit. 'child or person of the land'[1]) is a Hawaiian word used to describe Hawaii residents, and particularly those born in Hawaii.[2] The word is generally applied regardless of the person's racial background;[3] this is contrasted with the word kanaka, which specifically means a person of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The word kamaʻāina may be used to describe only persons who live in Hawaii, or it may be expanded to include people who were born there and moved away.

One of the most frequent uses of the term is in the "kamaʻāina rate", a discount given by local businesses to residents.[4] These discounts are offered primarily at restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions.[5] Merchants generally offer these "kamaʻāina discounts" to anyone with a local ID, such as a Hawaii driver's license or local military ID.[6]

There is a statewide job placement program, founded in 1998 and sponsored by the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, called "Kamaʻaina Come Home". The initiative is intended to increase the state's labor pool by inducing Hawaii college students and former residents who are now living in the continental United States to return to Hawaii.[7]

See also

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Look up kamaʻaina in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

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  1. ^ Pukui & Elbert, New Pocket Hawaiian Dictionary (University of Hawaii Press, 1975, 1992); Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert (2003). "lookup of kamaʻāina". in Hawaiian Dictionary. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaiʻi Press.
  2. ^ Cataluna, Lee (18 August 2024). "Lee Cataluna: Maui's Identity Crisis Is On Display At Kahului Airport". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  3. ^ Hamacher, Duane; Britton, Tui (20 September 2015). "Mauna a Wakea: Hawai'i's sacred mountain and the contentious Thirty Meter Telescope". The Conversation. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  4. ^ Clore, Kathlyn. "What the term 'local' means in Hawaii, and why it's controversial". SFGate. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Web Exclusive: Kamaaina Summer Discounts". 25 May 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  6. ^ Love, Kelsey (8 January 2015). "Best Kama'aina Deals On Maui". Maui information guide. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  7. ^ Salmons, Stephanie. "Aloha State Daily | Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i wants kama'āina to 'Come Home'". Aloha State Daily. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
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