Pidgin, brah! What's the meaning of Puka in Hawaii?
PRONUNCIATION: poo-kah
DEFINITION: hole
USAGE: Eh, close da puka, da mosquitoes stay comin' in!
ENGLISH: Hey, close the door, the mosquitoes are coming in!
It's Not a Shell: The Real Meaning
If you grew up in the 90s, you probably think Puka refers to a white shell necklace.
- The Truth: The shell is called a "Puka Shell" only because it has a natural hole in the middle.
- The Definition: In Hawaiian, Puka literally means Hole, perforation, or opening.
1. Versatile Usage (Doors & Windows):
In Pidgin, we use "Puka" to refer to any opening in a wall.
- "Close da puka" usually means "Close the door."
- "Get one puka in my shirt" means "I have a hole in my shirt." or you get some Puka Pants
2. Place Name Example:
The town of Pukalani on Maui perfectly illustrates the real meaning. It translates to "Hole in the Heavens" (or Sky), named for the distinct gap in the clouds that often lets the sun shine through on that specific upcountry area.
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