Quick Answer
If you see or hear "unko" in Hawaii, pay close attention to the vowel sound — because one spelling covers two completely different local words:
1. unko (pronounced "OON-koh") — The everyday Hawaiian Pidgin word for "poop" (borrowed from Japanese うんこ / unko), heard whenever someone steps in dog poop on the lawn or changes a baby's diaper ("Watch out fo' da dog unko!").
2. Unko / Unco (pronounced "UN-koh") — A casual phonetic spelling of "Uncle", Hawaii's warm title of respect for any older man, elder, or family friend ("Eh, Unko, howzit!").
- "OON" — Sounds like "moon" or "spoon" (Japanese u vowel).
- "koh" — Crisp "koh" sound like "cocoa."
- Origin: Japanese うんこ (unko), used by Hawaii families of all backgrounds.
- "UN" — Short "uh" sound just like English "under" or "uncle."
- "koh" — Relaxed final syllable of Pidgin "Uncle."
- Spelling Tip: Many locals spell Uncle as "Unco" or "Uncle" in texts specifically so nobody reads it as OON-koh!
| Word | Pronunciation | Language Root | Meaning in Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| unko | OON-koh | Japanese (うんこ) | Poop, dog poop, going #2 (family-friendly Pidgin word). |
| kūkae (kukae) | koo-KAH-eh | Hawaiian | Excrement / poop / dirt (the traditional Hawaiian equivalent). |
| Unko / Unco / Uncle | UN-koh / UN-kul | English / Pidgin | Respectful island title for an older man, elder, or family friend. |
| pilau | pee-LAO | Hawaiian | Filthy, stinky, rotten, or gross (e.g., when you step in unko!). |
"Watch your slippahs on da grass — get dog unko over dea!"
Translation: "Watch where you step in your flip-flops on the lawn — there's dog poop over there!"
"Check da baby diaper, I think he wen make unko."
Translation: "Check the baby's diaper; I think he pooped."
"Eh, Unko! Mahalo plenty for fixing da lawnmower for us!"
Translation: "Hey, Uncle! Thank you so much for fixing the lawnmower for us!"
"Hose off your shoe outside first — stay all pilau wit unko!"
Translation: "Hose off your shoe outside first — it's all dirty with poop!"
Pilau
Stinky, filthy, rotten, or playing dirty in Hawaii
Kimochi
Another classic Japanese-rooted Hawaii Pidgin word ("feels so good!")
Keiki
Children or kids in Hawaiian and Pidgin
Bruddah
Brother or fellow local man in Hawaii
Ohana
Family and community where elders are respected as Aunty and Uncle
Hamajang
Messed up, crooked, or in total disarray
What does unko mean in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, unko can mean two completely different things depending on how it is pronounced: (1) Pronounced OON-koh (from Japanese うんこ unko), it is the everyday Hawaiian Pidgin word for "poop" or "dog poop" ("Watch out for da dog unko!"). (2) Pronounced UN-koh, it is a playful phonetic spelling of "Uncle" — Hawaii's respectful and affectionate title for any older man.
How do you tell the difference between unko (poop) and Unko (Uncle)?
Listen to the first vowel sound! Unko meaning poop starts with an "oo" sound like "moon" or "spoon" (OON-koh). Unko meaning Uncle starts with a short "uh" sound just like English "uncle" (UN-koh). In writing, Uncle is usually capitalized ("Eh, Unko!") or spelled Unco / Uncle to avoid funny mix-ups.
Where did the Hawaiian Pidgin word unko (for poop) come from?
Unko (OON-koh) was borrowed directly from the Japanese word うんこ (unko), a common, family-friendly Japanese word for poop. During Hawaii's plantation era, Japanese vocabulary blended into Hawaiian Pidgin alongside Hawaiian, Portuguese, Cantonese, and Filipino words, so families of all backgrounds in Hawaii grew up saying unko.
Is unko considered a bad or vulgar swear word in Hawaii?
No! Just like the English word "poop," unko (OON-koh) is a mild, everyday family word used by parents, keiki (kids), dog owners, and aunties alike — not a harsh profanity. Locals also use the Hawaiian word kūkae (koo-KAH-eh) with a similar everyday meaning.
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