Hawaiian word of the day: Onipa’a
Updated: Jan. 4, 2019 at 10:53 AM HST
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Our Hawaiian word of the day is ʻOnipaʻa.
The word ʻOnipaʻa can be split between the words “ʻoni” which means to shake or shift and “paʻa” which means affixed or set solid.
When combined the word ʻOnipaʻa means steadfast, set solid and immovable. Like the ʻOpihi on the rocks he stays ʻonipaʻa when the large waves crash upon him.
The word ʻOnipaʻa was the motto of Queen Liliʻuʻokalani. Although her reign was cut short in 1893, she remains an enduring symbol of hope for our people. 'Onipa’a was part of the queen’s motto: “E’onipa’a i ka 'imi na’auao.” This can be interpreted as: Be steadfast in the seeking of knowledge.
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