Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

nvs., Law, code, rule, statute, act, regulation, ordinance, decree, edict; legal; to obey a law; to be prohibited; to learn from experience. Figuratively, ti leaves, as used in religious ceremonies as a plant respected by spirits.

• Examples:
  • Ua kānāwai au i ka hele malaila, I have learned not to go there.
  • E hele pū me ke kānāwai, to go legally (with ti leaves).
• Related:
  • Since some early laws concerned water (wai) rights, some have suggested that the word kānāwai is derived from wai, water; this seems doubtful in view of the many ancient edicts of gods that have no relation to water (also cf. wai #4 and derivatives).
  • Perhaps the most famous kānāwai is the kānāwai kaiʻokia promulgated by the god Kāne after the flood of Kahinaliʻi, promising that ever afterwards the sea would be separated (ʻokia) from the land (i.e., not encroach on the land). Persons swore oaths by this and other kānāwai.
  • The kānāwai of Kū was that no one might lean backwards (kīkiʻi) during ceremonies; that of Kukauakahi that no one might bend forward (kūpou); that of Kānehekili, that no one might whisper (hāwanawana) during ceremonies; that of Kahōaliʻi, that the white kāʻupu bird (kāʻupu kea) must be used as his symbol during the makahiki.
  • ʻAha kau kānāwai, legislature, law-making body.
  • Kānāwai (hoʻopaʻi) kalaima (karaima), penal code, criminal code.
  • Buke kānāwai hoʻokahi, sole statute law.
  • Kānāwai e pololei ai ka hoʻokolokolo ʻana, code of procedure; literally, law which is correct in holding court.
  • Kānāwai o Pelekania (Beritania) i kākau puke ʻole ʻia, British common law; literally, law of Britain not written in a book.
  • Mamuli o ke kānāwai, according to law; legal.
  • Hoʻolilo i mea pono ma ke kānāwai, to legalize, make lawful.
  • Hoʻolohe ʻole i ke kānāwai, lawless.
  • Nā Kānāwai he ʻUmi, the Ten Commandments.
  • Kū ʻole i ke kānāwai, illegal, contrary to law.
  • hoʻokānāwai Caus/sim.; To impose a law, especially to vow not to associate with certain persons or places until certain conditions are fulfilled.
    • Hoʻokānāwai akula ia i kona wahi i hele ai, ʻaʻole e hele hou; hoʻokānāwai akula i nā makamaka, he made a vow not to go again to that place; he made a rule not to associate with the friends.
• References:
  • See Kam. 64:13–17 and note 9.

kikino, Act, as a law, decree or edict, in government.

• Source:
  • Existing dictionary word
• Examples:
  • Ua kākoʻo ʻia ka Papahana Kula Kaiapuni Hawaiʻi ma o ke Kānāwai Hoʻonaʻauao ʻŌiwi Hawaiʻi o ʻAmelika Hui Pū ʻia. The Hawaiian Language Immersion Program has been supported through the United States Native Hawaiian Education Act.
  • Kānāwai Lāhulu ʻAne Halapohe. Endangered Species Act.
  • Papa kānāwai wai o ka mokuʻāina. State water code.
• Related:
  • Mana kaukānāwai. Legislative powers.
  • Pae kānāwai. Legal alien; to arrive as a legal alien. Cf. pae malū.
  • Papa kānāwai. Code, i.e. a systematic collection of existing laws.
  • ʻAʻa kānāwai. Civil disobedience, i.e. breaking a law because it goes against personal morals.
• References:
  • See haʻihaʻi kānāwai, pale kānāwai, ʻaʻe kānāwai.
  • See also Kale, Poila.

kikino, Legislation, in politics.

• Source:
  • Existing dictionary word, Extended meaning
• Related:
  • Aupuni kānāwai na ka lehulehu. Direct democracy, i.e. a government in which laws are made directly by the citizens.
  • Hāpai kānāwai. Initiative, i.e. the procedure enabling citizens to propose a law and submit it to the legislature for approval.
  • Kū i ke kaʻina kānāwai. Due process of law, i.e. the process by which the government must treat accused persons fairly according to rules established by law.
  • Palapala noi hoʻololi kānāwai. Constitutional initiative, i.e. a process by which one can propose an amendment by gathering signatures on a petition.
  • ʻAelike mālama kānāwai. Compact, i.e. a written agreement to make and obey laws for the welfare of the group.
• References:
  • See mokuna, poʻo kānāwai.