1️⃣ Shaka
Meaning: "Right on!" or "Hang loose" - iconic Hawaiian hand gesture and greeting
Usage: Raise hand with thumb and pinky extended, wave. Universal positive vibes.
Surfer A: "Ho, sick wave brah!" (throws shaka)
Surfer B: (returns shaka) "Shaka back, brah!"
2️⃣ Howzit
Meaning: "How's it going?" - casual beach greeting
Usage: Use when running into surfers at the beach or in the lineup
Person A: "Howzit! Waves stay good today?"
Person B: "Yeah brah, little choppy but still fun."
3️⃣ Shoots
Meaning: "Okay," "Sounds good," or "Right on"
Usage: All-purpose agreement, used constantly at the beach
Person A: "Wanna go out for one more session?"
Person B: "Shoots! I stay already waxed up."
4️⃣ Da surf stay pumping
Meaning: "The waves are really good/big right now"
Usage: Describing excellent surf conditions
Person A: "Eh, check North Shore today!"
Person B: "Ho, da surf stay pumping! Triple overhead!"
5️⃣ Going get barreled
Meaning: "Going to ride inside the tube/wave"
Usage: The ultimate surf experience - riding inside a hollow wave
Person A: "Brah, you see dat wave?!"
Person B: "Yeah! Kalani wen get barreled for like 5 seconds!"
6️⃣ Stay flat
Meaning: "The ocean is calm, no waves"
Usage: Describing disappointing surf conditions
Person A: "How's da surf?"
Person B: "Bummahs brah, stay flat. Maybe go diving instead."
7️⃣ Choppy/Victory at sea
Meaning: "Messy, wind-blown waves" (victory at sea = extremely choppy)
Usage: Describing poor wave quality due to wind
Person A: "Still like go out?"
Person B: "Nah brah, stay victory at sea. Wait for tomorrow."
8️⃣ Lolo
Meaning: "Crazy," "stupid," or "reckless" (not always negative)
Usage: Describing someone doing something wild or impressive
Person A: "Dat guy wen paddle out in 20-foot surf!"
Person B: "He lolo o what?! Dat's suicide!"
9️⃣ Wen get smoked/Took one lickin'
Meaning: "Got wiped out badly by a wave"
Usage: Describing a bad wipeout or beating from the ocean
Person A: "You okay brah? You wen get smoked on dat set!"
Person B: "Yeah, took one lickin' but I good."
Meaning: "Stealing someone's wave" - major surf etiquette violation
Usage: Warning or accusing someone of taking a wave they don't have priority on
Person A: "Eh haole boy! You was dropping in on everybody out there!"
Person B: "Sorry brah, I never know da rules."
1️⃣1️⃣ Stoked
Meaning: "Excited," "pumped," "thrilled"
Usage: Expressing pure joy about surfing or the ocean
Person A: "Brah, I so stoked! Been two weeks no surf!"
Person B: "Yeah buddy! Let's go charge 'em!"
1️⃣2️⃣ Ho, pupu (Ho-pupu)
Meaning: "Wow, snacks!" or general exclamation of excitement for food
Usage: When someone brings food to the beach - pupu means appetizers/snacks
Person A: "Eh, I brought poke and musubi!"
Person B: "Ho, pupu! Mahalo brah, I stay starving!"
1️⃣3️⃣ Slippah
Meaning: "Flip-flops" - essential beach footwear
Usage: Everyone wears slippahs, never "sandals" or "flip-flops" locally
Person A: "Eh, no forget take off your slippahs before going in da house!"
Person B: "Oh yeah yeah, my bad."
1️⃣4️⃣ Talk story
Meaning: "Chat," "hang out and talk"
Usage: What locals do after surf sessions - relax and share stories
Person A: "Eh, come pau hana time, we go talk story at da beach."
Person B: "Shoots! I bring da cooler."
1️⃣5️⃣ Show respect/Give respect
Meaning: "Be respectful" - especially important in the lineup
Usage: Core value in Hawaiian surf culture - respect locals, ocean, and each other
Local: "Eh, dis our spot. You like surf here, you gotta show respect."
Visitor: "No worries brah, I understand. Thanks for letting me out."
1️⃣6️⃣ Haole
Meaning: "Foreigner" or "white person" - can be neutral or derogatory depending on context
Usage: Originally meant "without breath" (no aloha spirit). Tone matters.
Person A: "Dat haole surfah stay ripping!" (respectful)
Person B: "Yeah, he cool. Been coming here for years."
1️⃣7️⃣ No make (don't be)
Meaning: "Don't" - warning phrase before advice
Usage: Giving safety warnings or behavioral guidance
Lifeguard: "Eh, no make go out there! Get rip current!"
Swimmer: "Oh, tanks for da heads up!"
1️⃣8️⃣ Bumbye/Bum-bye
Meaning: "Later" or "eventually" - often used in warnings
Usage: "If you do that, bumbye something bad will happen"
Person A: "I no need sunscreen, I get good base tan."
Person B: "Bumbye you going get all burnt up and regret!"
Hawaiian surf culture isn't just about riding waves - it's about respect, community, and ocean stewardship. The language you use reflects your understanding of these values.
Key Cultural Principles:
- Kuleana (Responsibility): Take care of the ocean, it takes care of you
- Malama (Care): Leave the beach cleaner than you found it
- Lokahi (Unity): We're all in this together - share waves, share aloha
- Respect the Lineup: Wait your turn, acknowledge locals, learn the etiquette
- Safety First: Don't paddle out if you're not ready - know your limits
When you use these phrases with genuine respect and aloha spirit, you're not just speaking Pidgin -
you're honoring generations of Hawaiian surf culture.
Know the rules before paddling out. Language won't save you from breaking surf etiquette.
When someone lets you have a wave or does something nice, throw a shaka to say thanks!
"Howzit brah, I'm visiting - any tips for this break?" goes a long way.
Stealing waves is the fastest way to lose respect. Wait your turn.
Pack out everything you bring. Locals will call you out for littering.
If waves look too big, sit this one out. Putting others at risk isn't cool.
GREETINGS
- Shaka - Right on!
- Howzit - How's it going?
- Shoots - Okay/Sounds good
CONDITIONS
- Pumping - Great waves
- Flat - No waves
- Choppy - Messy waves
- Barreled - In the tube
CULTURE
- Show respect - Be respectful
- Talk story - Chat/hang out
- Lolo - Crazy/reckless
- Stoked - Excited
Ready to Hit the Waves?
Learn more Hawaiian Pidgin to sound like a true local