kamaaina

noun

ka·​ma·​ai·​na ˌkä-mə-ˈī-nə How to pronounce kamaaina (audio)
: one who has lived in Hawaii for a long time

Examples of kamaaina in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is the town of Waikoloa‘s course, upslope from the Kohala shore, where kamaaina play as do knowing visitors. Ken Van Vechten, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2019 Strong flavors are ascendant here, with nuances that only a kamaaina might understand, like ahi with white onions (clean and sweet) versus ahi with scallions (mellower). Author: Ligaya Mishan, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Jan. 2018 Strong flavors are ascendant here, with nuances that only a kamaaina might understand, like ahi with white onions (clean and sweet) versus ahi with green onions (mellower). Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kamaaina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian kama'āina, from kama child + 'āina land

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kamaaina was in 1903

Dictionary Entries Near kamaaina

Cite this Entry

“Kamaaina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kamaaina. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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