Need Hawaiian Language Lesson
 

Hoping some of the local posters can help me out - I know that the Hawaiian word "ono" means delicious, but can it also be used to mean "the best"?
Mahalo - Dianne

I don't think it's usually used to mean "the best." That's what "da kine" is for (although that's not what da kine traditionally means).

I believe "no ka oi" means the best

Well...

ono = large mackeral
`ono = delicious, etc.
Those diacritical marks are very important in the Hawaiian language...as demonstrated by this one 3-letter word! 8-)

sunburn1944 is correct -- "no ka oi" is used to exclaim that something is "the best", and _follows_ the noun (as in the well-known "Maui no ka oi").

Thank you so much Auntie Maria - I knew about the diacritical mark, but completely forgot when I was posting. Thank you again for the lesson!
Dianne

Can someone please tell me how to pronounce the word no ka oi? I received a shirt from Maui with this word and have no clue. Thank you

It's pronounced like how it looks:
"no" "ka" "oy" (Like in toy)

Use "ono" for "the best?" Not unless you want to be laughed at mercilessly by the locals! :) "Ono" should only be used for "delicious."

And "da kine" will also get a bunch of giggles if you use it for "the best." It's also not Hawaiian. It's pidgeon english and used extensively in Hawaii by the locals. It's usually used when a person can't remember what he was trying to refer to.