shaka

noun

sha·​ka ˈshä-kə 

plural shakas

: a hand gesture of greeting, gratitude, approval, etc., that is made by extending the thumb and little finger while bending the other fingers toward the palm and that is used especially in Hawaii

The Hawaii State Legislature also approved a bill this session designating the shaka—extending the thumb and pinky while curling the three middle fingers—as the official gesture of the state.

—Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Folks routinely … allow one to merge on the freeway with a smile and a shaka.

—David McDonald

She asked the crowd to stand up and flash the Hawaiian shaka sign so she could take a selfie.

—Sam Whiting

Examples of shaka in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier this year, Hawaii became the first state to have an official hand gesture: the shaka. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

of uncertain origin

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above