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The earliest Hawaiian word lists

Anderson - 1778    Samwell - 1779    Beresford - 1787    Martinez - 1789    Santeliz es Pablo - 1791    Quimper - 1791    
Lisiansky - 1804    Campbell - 1809    Gaimard/Arago - 1819    Bishop/Ellis - 1825    Botta - 1828    Dumont - 1834    

Manuel Quimper's List
(1791)

Manuel Quimper was master of the Princesa Real, a British ship captured by the Spaniards in 1789. Princesa Real was in Hawaii from March 23 until April 18, when they sailed for Manila, bound for Macao, where the ship was to be returned to the British. Quimper, known also for his discovery and exploration of the Strait of Juan de Fuc, described himself as an American-born Spaniard. He was probably born in Lima, Peru between 1750 and1760.

Although he made brief stops at Moanalua Bay (Oʻahu), Waimea Bay (Kauaʻi), and Paliuli Bay (Niʻihau), it is likely that he collected the word list on Hawaii, where he spent more time. As for his linguistic prowess, "... he was not an educated man. He made many mistakes in grammar and spelling... It will be noted, particularly in the vocabulary of Castilian-Hawaiian words, that Quimper often caught by ear or understood only the last syllable or two of some Hawaiian words. The impossibility of making exact identification and translation of such words is thus readily recognized." (Minson 1952)

adapted from Albert J. Schütz, "Voices of Eden" pp. 37-38.

notes from Minson 1952

click on column heading to sort

#list wordmodern Hawaiianlist glossSpanish
135.Pi______Yn
205.Taty______La Poqueria
116.Agegea______*El Puelitte
*An Englishmeaning cannot be found for this Spanish wordwhich may have been a colloquial form in Quimper's day.
40.OpuʻōpūAbdomenLa Barriga
166.MattaumakaʻuI am afraidTengo Miedo
163.Apopoturaʻapōpō ? ahu aIn the afternoonA la tarde
88.Tenene___AnchorEl ancla
105.Egiaʻohiʻa* ('tomato', ʻōhiʻaʻai 'mountain apple')A kind of appleUn especie de Manzanas
*This is the mountain apple also mentioned by Quimper on page 24 above.
31.Menea? meneArmpitsLos Sobacos ['folded']
29.Erimahe limaArmsLos Brazos
134.Erunae lunaTo ascendSubir
180.ToykoʻiAxe or hatchetLa Hacha o Hazuela
59.OcoreʻōkoleBacksidesEl Estantino
132.YnoʻinoBadMalo
200.Kara KacoaKealakekuaBay where I anchored and where they killed Captain CookBahia donde estubo fondrado y mataron el Capitan Cook
202.TojanaKohala*Name of the first bay where I anchoredNombre de la Primera Ensenada en donde estube fondeado
*Quimper probably wrote the vocabulary several months after his visit to Hawaii and in doing so confused the true name of Kawaihae Bay with the district of Kohala in whyich it is situated.
58.VmivmiʻumiʻumiBeardLos Pelos de la Barba
110.ManumanuAll kinds of birdsToda especie de Ave
13.Vtuʻuku or ʻuʻuku ('small, tiny')BoyMuchacho
27.Genojohe loloBrainEl Cerebro [nono variant of lolo?]
61.Eballiuhe waiūBreastsLos Pechos
7.TainakainaBrotherHermano
8.TaitainakaikainaYounger BrotherHermano Menor
41.PapacorepāpākoleButtocksLas Nalgas
97.Ypo o Ypo Caucauupu or ipo kaukauEating or water calabash WatermelonLa Calabaza de comer Puecara Las Sandias
45.OrooroʻoloʻoloCalvesLas Pantorrillas
91.Tapuri tenukahuli ? kenuThe canoe overturnedSe bolteo la Canoa
90.Gebago o tenuhe waʻa or (?)*CanoesLas Canoas
*Tenu may be an attempt to say the English word "canoe."
3.Tojoa? ko koa (kāpena)*CaptainCapitan
*Kapena is a "loan" word based on the English word "captain." A loan word is one taken into Hawaiian from another language and retaining as closely as possible its original sound and meaning.
213.Tauna o Taraibakahuna or kālai waʻa*CarpenterEl carpintero
*Kahuna meant anyone skilled in some particular calling, a kalai waʻa was a skilled builder of canoes.
24.PaparinepapālinaCheeksLos Cachettes
37.VmavmaumaumaChestEl Pecho
76.Geauhe aoCloudsLas Nuves
106.NiuniuCoconutLos cocos
153.Anu o toytoyanu or huʻi huʻiIt is very coldHace mucho frio
215.Obaya o Ydadowaho or I laloCome down belowBaja abajo
133.Pimaypiʻi mai ('come up')Come hereVen aca
52.Papanepanepanipani*CopulationLa Generacion
*It will be recalled that on page 76 above Quimper made reference to this word as the one used by the Hawaiians to say Spain.
186.Unajay___Cracked or brokenRajado o Rotto
144.Geurahe hulaTo sing or danceCanttar or bailar
162.Apopo poypoyʻapōpō (? poʻipoʻi)Day after tomorrowManana por la manana
168.Aripe matte(?) makeYou are deadEs muertto
182.CucaykūkaeTo defacateObrar
204.Tona y NapuKona and Nāpoʻopoʻo*Name of two districts which lie to the north of itNombre de dos parttidos que se hallan al N. de este
*The names Kona and Napoopoo belong more properly to the region of Kailua Bay, which has been identified as the second anchorage of Quimper.
109.Nenenēnē* ('goose')DuckLos Pattos
*This is the nearly extinct Hawaiian goose or wild duck, the nene...
25.PepellaupepeiaoEarsLas Orejas
190.Gejau? he hauEastLeste
150.Au o Caucaoʻai or kaukau (< Chinese 'chowchow')To eatComer
152.MaonamaʻonaI have eaten wellHe comido bien
111.Ejuahe huaEggsLos Huevos
70.AbaruʻawaluEightOcho
33.Ecuryhe kuʻe limaElbowsLos Codos
17.CuemacakuʻemakaEyebrowsLas Cejas
18.LiligilihilihiEyelashesLas Pestanas
19.Emattahe makaEyesLos Ojos
16.Laelae ('forehead')Face (forehead)La frente
5.Metuatanemakua kāneFatherPadre
175.Ana anaananaA fathomUna braza
46.TapuaykapuaʻiFeetLos Pies
30.ManamanamanamanaFingersLos Dedos
158.PaupauIt is finishedSe acabo
194.Geajihe ahiFireEl guego
170.Pupū*FirearmEl arma de fuego
*Other Hawaiian words for gun can be found in Kamakau, History of Hawaii, p. 45.
176.PagillawahieFirewoodLena
113.EllaiʻaFishEl Pescado
114.MacaumakauFishhookEl Anzuelo
67.ArimaʻalimaFiveCinco
66.AjaʻahāFourQuatro
80.Ebayhe waiFresh waterLa agua dulce
183.ArojaalohaFriendAmigo
103.Euruhe ʻulu* ('breadfruit')A kind of fruit called "Rima" in the Marianas IslandsUna especie de fruta que nombran en las Yslas Marianas Rima
*This is the breadfruit.
51.TogekoheWoman's GenitalsLa Naturaleza de la Muger
141.Gettue kūGet upLevanttate
124.Mattana o Juaymakana or kūʻaiTo favor with a gift or barterRegalar o cambiar
130.JoehoʻiGo quicklyAnda vette
131.MaytaymaikaʻiGoodBueno
2.ErittyAliʻi iki (Kiaʻāina)GovernorGovernador
83.Geahe ʻāGravelCascajo
117.Maomaʻo ('green')Green paintLa Pintura verde
184.Arojanuocovaloha nui loaTo greet each other as friendsSaludarse como Amigos
15.LaguojolauohoHairEl pelo
36.Purimapūlima or puʻu lima ('wrist, knuckles, fist')HandsLas Manos
85.Tainua or Puarakai nuʻa or pūʻali ('isthmus')Harbor or bayEl Puertto o Ensenada
86.Tropika lopi* ('thread')HawserEl Cable
*Probably another loan word, an attempt by the Hawaiians to say the English word "rope".
14.Epohe poʻoHeadLa Caveza
193.AgiahiHearthEl fogon
199.MayoremahioleHelmet or feather hatEl morrion o turbante de plumas
108.MoamoaHenLa Gallina
169.Au___HereAqui
107.Pua o Alorinapuaʻa or (?)HogsLos Puercos
157.Xare or Pueteahale or ? puekeaA house or hutUna casa o Jacalon
151.PororypōloliI am hungryTengo hambre
128.Ohau or Novʻo au or noʻuIYo
178.Jauhao*Iron or nailsEl fierro o Clavos
*Kamakau, History of Hawaii, p. 43 contains the Hawaiian word for iron in context.
95.GuajiHawaiʻiName of the principal islandNombres de la Isla Principal
96.MoguiMauiAnother northern one which forms a channel with HawaiiOtra mas N. que forma canal con la de Guaji
34.Ajayhaʻi, hahaʻi or ʻahaʻiLarge jointsLas coyunteras Grandes
35.PupupuʻupuʻuSmall jointsLas Pequenas
212.Yraroi lalo ('down, under')Keep itGuardalo
167.Materoamake loaThey kill meMe Mattan
1.EryAliʻi (Mōʻī)KingRey
43.TurykuliKneesLas Rodillas
219.PagipahiKnifeEl Cuchilla
94.Yutai ukaLandLa Tierra
123.NunuinunuiLarge thingCosa grande
143.Eattae ʻakaTo laughReir
217.Ariaalia ('wait')Leave me or leave itDejame o dexalo
44.Orojay, Geybi(?), he iwi ('bone')LegsLas Piernas
125.Punepune o Abarebarepunipuni or walewaleLiarEmbustero
77.GouaHe uaLightningLos Relampagos
21.Eregeregehe leheleheLipsLos labios
211.RoygilōʻihiLongLargo
218.Ea? ʻeā ('isn't that so?')Look or seeOye o mira
147.AnoʻanoʻaiLoveAora
148.Punegerepunahele ('favor, favorite')I love youTe quiero
197.Eajuhe ʻahuMat or fine matLa estera o Pettatte
196.CapakapaThe mats with which they clothe themselvesLas manttas con que se cubren
177.AnuanauanianiMirrorEl espejo
6.MetuaginemakuahineMotherMadre
149.rau raio o Guaraulau or ua lauMuchMucho
98.Haaraʻaʻala ('sweet smelling')MuskmelonEl Melon
32.MelloumaiʻaoNailsLas Unas
121.YnoainoaMy name isMe nombre o se nombra
48.PitopikoNavalEl Ombligo
185.Toray___Neat or cleanLaha o limpia
26.Puhaypūʻāʻī ('Adam's apple')NeckEl Pescuezo ['Adam's apple']
159.PopōNightNoche
160.Porerepō ʻeleʻeleDark nightNoche obscura
71.AibaʻaiwaNineNueve
126.OreʻoleNoNo
20.Geijiuhe ihuNoseLa Nariz
63.AtajiʻakahiOneUno
53.Gea? he ā ('jaw, cheekbone')PalateEl paladar
179.GeregerehelehelePathway or roadAnda o Camina
209.MomimomiPearl and its shellPerla y su Concha
49.Teureke ulePenisEl Miembro del Hombre
62.JovhouPerspirationEl sudor
112.MellamaiʻaPlantainsLos Plantanos
214.Tairuakai loa ('very much?')Large populationPoblacion grande
172.Paurapauka*The powderLa polvora
*This is probably another loan word taken from the English word "powder."
4.TajunakahunaPriest to their idolsSacerdote de sus Ydoles
198.MarumaluProtectionEl Tamarrabo
216.PepegepepehiTo punishCastigar
145.Aca acahakakāTo quarrelReganar
155.Nojumarienoho malieBe quietCalla la boca
115.Acaraʻākala*RaspberryLa Sarsamora
*See note on page 23 above for inofrmation on the Hawaiian raspberry.
118.Noni? noni ('k.o. yellow fruit')RedLa Encarnada
201.TaratatuaKailuaResidence of the principal king Kamehameha and the bay where I have anchored with the sloopResidencia del Principal Ery Amejameja y Ensenada a donde estube fondeado con la Balandra
47.Aguauiwi ʻaoʻao (ʻaoʻao = 'side')RibsLas Costillas
206.Tacacue___Ringworm kind of leprosyEmeines espicie de Lepra
174.GuaimeaWaimea*RiverRio
*A limited meaning for the word river. Quimper lay at Waimea on Kauai where this name is used for the town, bay, and river.
100.TarokaloAnother root somewhat similar to the sweet potatoeOtra Raiz algo semejante al camote
101.TykīAnother edible rootOtra Raiz dulce
87.TaurakaulaRope or thin cordageGuimdaresa o Cavo delgado
207.PeapeʻaSail of a vesselVela de una Envarcacion
81.Patay or Vpurejopaʻakai or (?)SaltLa Sal
82.OneoneSandLa Arena
203.UlpaʻūpāScissorsLas tixeras
79.Etayhe kaiSea or salt waterEl Mar or Agua Salada
140.Ynojoe nohoSeat yourselfSienttate
165.Nana o Mirimirinānā or (? milimili)To seeVer
69.AgittuʻahikuSevenSiette
173.Temotumapapake moku ma papa*Name of a shoal to the west of the island of Niihau according to the IndiansNombres de un bajo que esta al Queste de la Ysla de Omijau segun noticia de los Yndios
*Cook, Voyage to the Pacific, Vol. II, p. 222 mentions this shoal...
171.Toma___The shotLas Balas
28.PojivipoʻohiwiShouldersLos Hombres
38.Tuomov? kuamoʻo ('spine')ShouldersLas Espaldas
39.Tuakua ('back')SideEl Costado
9.ToaginekuahineSisterHermana
68.AunoʻaonoSixSeis
73.Geauhe aoSkyCielo
192.Moe o Aripimoe or (?)*To SleepDormir
*"Aripi" may be another loan word, an attempt to say "sleepy."
23.Aguay___SloopLa Balandra [mistake for ā kai 'by the sea'?]
122.Itty o piquininiiki or pīkanele (& pikanini < Eng. slang)Small thingCosa chica
195.Gebajihe uahiSmokeEl Humo
210.Orejoʻo leho ('cowrie')SnailCaracol
12.TeitekeikiSonHijo
189.Ega? ʻekaSouthEl S.
146.Namunamunamunamu ('mumble, babble')To speakHablar
57.QuomokuamoʻoSpineEl Espinazo
75.GecuhōkūStarsLas Estrellas
60.Manaba? manawa ('feelings, seat of emotions')StomachEl Estomago
84.PojattopōhakuStonesLas Piedras
104.TokōSugar caneLa cana dulce
74.LalāSunEl Sol
99.Poroquea o Vguarapuʻukōlea, ʻualaSweet PotatoesLos Camotes
22.Enijiuhe nihoTeethLos dientes
56.MajamahaTemplesLas sienes
72.Aumi(a) ʻumiTenDiez
50.Eraju, Gejuahe laho, he huaTestesLos Genittales
208.Maruna___ThiefLadron
42.Orojayʻolo ʻūhāThighsLos Muslos
65.EtoruʻekoluThreeTres
55.Puhaypūʻāʻī ('Adam's apple' puʻu = 'throat', ʻāʻī = 'neck')ThroatEl Garguero o Gargantta
78.EttirihekiliThunderLos truenos
92.TirakiaTimber or masts of a vesselEl Palo o Palos de una Embara Embarcacion
164.Aguneyaku neiTodayOy
161.ApopoʻapōpōTomorrowManana
54.ErerueleloTongueLa lengua
64.EruaʻeluaTwoDos
11.MetuamakuaUncleTio
136.Ytivauʻike wauI understand youTe entiendo
137.YtteʻikeYou understand meMe enttiendes
181.MimimimiTo urinateOrinar
89.Motu o Llepemoku or (?)*VesselLa Embarcacion
*Here the Hawaiina word for island, moku, is used for a ship. Llepe may have been an attempt to say "ship"
156.AtetahakakāTo wage warGuerrear
154.Tojana o Jojanaka hana or hahanaIt is very warmHace mucho calor
142.Eguee uēTo weepLlorar
191.Geapa? he apaWestOeste
120.GuaytemoaʻO wai kou inoaWhat is your name?Como te llamas
139.Agattaaha ka ('what...?')WhenQuando
138.Oxeao heaWhere is it?Adonde esta
10.Cacamaginekaikamahine ('daughter, girl')WifeMuger propia
187.Matane o Guinemakani or kuine*WindEl Viento
*"Kuine" is probably another loan word, an attempt to say "wind."
188.Tamutu___North windViento N.
93.RaulaʻauAll kinds of woodToda especie de palo
102.Eugihe uhiYamEl name
119.Torey___*YellowLa Amarilla
*It is possible that the word given to Quimper for yellow was the name of the plant from which yellow dye was procured; this plant cannot be positively identified.
127.EʻēYesSi
129.OeʻoeYouTu

REFERENCES

Quimper, Manuel (Manuel Quimper Benítez del Pino). 1822. Islas de Sandwich. Descripcion sucinta de este Archipiélago, Nombre que les Dió su Célebre Descubridor el Captain Cook, reconocidas por el teniente de fragata de la armada nacional. Madrid: E. Aguado. [7], 8–32 pp. [Word list, pp. 28–31. See MINSON 1952 for an analysis of this work.]

Minson, William Harvey. 1952. The Hawaiian Journal of Manuel Quimper. University of Hawaiʻi M. A. thesis. iii, 114 ll.

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