Pidgin, brah! What's the meaning of Kōkua in Hawaii?
PRONUNCIATION: koh-KOO-ah
DEFINITION: help, assistance
USAGE: Mahalo fo yo kokua
ENGLISH: Thank you for your help
The Cycle of Giving: "Kōkua Aku, Kōkua Mai"
You will often hear the word Kōkua repeated in the famous Hawaiian proverb: "Kōkua aku, kōkua mai."
- Literal Translation: "Help aku (away/give), Help mai (towards/receive)."
- The Meaning: Help others and be helped in return.
This phrase encapsulates the true spirit of kōkua. It isn't just a transaction or a one-way act of charity; it is a cycle of reciprocity and cooperation. In Hawaii, helping isn't just a favor, it's a responsibility to the community that flows both ways.
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