Definition

Noun: A member or descendant of the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. This term refers specifically to the people whose ancestors were the original inhabitants of Hawaiʻi prior to Western contact.

Usage

The term "Native Hawaiian" is used to denote ethnic and cultural identity, as well as legal status in certain contexts. It is often capitalized as a proper noun.

Examples

• The cultural practices of the Native Hawaiian are deeply connected to the land and sea.
• She is a Native Hawaiian and is fluent in the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).
• This scholarship is available to Native Hawaiian students.

Advanced Usage

• The term is distinct from "Hawaiian resident," which refers to any person living in Hawaiʻi, regardless of ethnicity.
• In legal and governmental contexts, such as certain entitlement programs, eligibility may require verification of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

Variants and Related Words

• Kānaka Maoli: The Hawaiian-language term for Native Hawaiian, meaning "true people" or "real people."
• Indigenous Hawaiian: A synonymous phrase emphasizing original inhabitation.

Synonyms

• Kānaka Maoli
• Indigenous Hawaiian

Notes on Meaning

The term "Native Hawaiian" carries significant cultural, historical, and political weight. It is not merely a demographic descriptor but is intrinsically linked to issues of sovereignty, land rights, and the preservation of language and culture.

Noun

1. a member or descendant of the indigenous Polynesian people who lived in the Hawaiian Islands