Quick Answer
"Imua" (written as two words, "i mua", in formal Hawaiian and pronounced "ee-MOO-ah") means "forward," "ahead," "onward," or "advance with strength and determination!" Built from the Hawaiian directional particle i ("toward") and mua ("the front / ahead"), Imua! is one of Hawaii's most inspiring words — shouted by outrigger canoe crews charging through ocean swells, chanted as the motto of Kamehameha Schools, and used in everyday island life to tell friends and ohana to keep pushing forward together.
Syllable Breakdown:
- "i" (ee) — pronounced like "ee" in "see" (never like "eye").
- "mu" (MOO) — pronounced like "moo" in "moon," carrying the main vocal emphasis.
- "a" (ah) — a clean, open "ah" sound like "father" that glides smoothly from MOO.
Spelling Note: In modern ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi dictionaries, the directional phrase is written as two words (i mua), while mottos, exclamations, and proper names traditionally join them into a single emphatic word: Imua!
In Hawaii, Imua carries far more weight than a simple directional word — it embodies collective courage, perseverance, and moving forward as one:
In 1790, before the decisive Battle of Kepaniwai in ʻĪao Valley, Maui, King Kamehameha I rallied his warriors with the famous call: "I mua e nā pōkiʻi a inu i ka wai ʻawaʻawa, ʻaʻohe hope e hoʻi mai ai" — "Forward, my younger brothers, and drink of the bitter waters, for there is no turning back!"
Founded by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kamehameha Schools adopted "Imua Kamehameha" as its enduring motto, inspiring generations of Native Hawaiian students to strive forward in education, leadership, and community service.
In Hawaiian outrigger canoe racing (heihei waʻa), when six paddlers must dig their blades into heavy channel swells in total synchronization, the steersperson or caller shouts "Imua!" to drive the canoe ahead as one body.
| Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning & Island Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Imua / I mua | ee-MOO-ah | "Forward! / Move ahead! / Keep going!" — rallying cry for teams, paddlers, and life goals. |
| I hope | ee HOH-peh | "Backward / In back / Behind" — the directional opposite of i mua in Hawaiian. |
| Onipaʻa | oh-nee-PAH-ah | "Steadfast / Firm / Resolute" — Queen Liliʻuokalani's motto of standing strong in spirit. |
| No Ka ʻOi | noh kah OY | "The best / Second to none" — celebratory Hawaiian phrase for excellence. |
"Imua, brah — no give up now, you almost pau wit school!"
Translation: "Keep pushing forward, bro — don't give up now, you're almost finished with school!"
"When we round da flag at Molokai Hoe, da steersman yell 'Imua!' and everybody dig in."
Translation: "When we turn the buoy in the canoe race, the steersperson shouts 'Forward!' and every paddler digs in hard."
"Tough year for da family, yeah? But we stay together and go imua."
Translation: "It's been a hard year for the family, right? But we stick together and move forward."
"Imua Kamehameha! Proud of all da graduates today!"
Translation: "Onward Kamehameha! So proud of all the graduating students today!"
No Ka ʻOi
Hawaiian for "the best" or "second to none"
Kokua
Selfless help, teamwork, and pitching in together
Akamai
Smart, clever, wise, and street-savvy in Hawaii
Mauka & Makai
Toward the mountains and toward the ocean — how locals give directions
Ohana
Family, extended kin, and close community
You Da Man
Local praise when someone comes through clutch
What does imua (or i mua) mean in Hawaiian?
Imua (written as two words, i mua, in modern Hawaiian orthography and pronounced ee-MOO-ah) means "forward," "ahead," "onward," or "advance with determination and unity." It combines i (toward/to) and mua (the front/ahead) and serves as one of Hawaii's most powerful rallying cries.
How do you pronounce imua?
It is pronounced ee-MOO-ah, with stress on the middle syllable (MOO). The i sounds like "ee" in "see," mu sounds like "moo" in "moon," and a sounds like "ah" in "father."
Is it spelled imua or i mua?
Both spellings are widely used in Hawaii. In formal Hawaiian grammar (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi), it is written as two words: i mua ("toward the front"). As an exclamation, motto, school rallying cry ("Imua Kamehameha"), and organization name, it is traditionally written as a single word: Imua!
Where does the rallying cry "Imua!" come from in Hawaiian history?
"Imua!" is famously remembered from King Kamehameha I's rallying address ("I mua e nā pōkiʻi...": "Forward, my younger brothers, and drink of the bitter waters, for there is no turning back") before the Battle of Kepaniwai in ʻĪao Valley, Maui, in 1790. Today it is the motto of Kamehameha Schools and a universal call of perseverance across Hawaii.
How do locals use imua in everyday Hawaii life?
Outrigger canoe paddlers shout "Imua!" as they power through ocean swells, coaches and athletes use it to fire up their teams, and friends say "Imua, brah — no give up!" to encourage someone working through a challenge or chasing a big goal.
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