Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. n., General name for marine and land shells; beads, snail (Biblical).

• Examples:
  • Lei pūpū ō Niʻihau, shell beads of Niʻihau. See lei pūpū.
  • Mehe pūpū lā e heheʻe ana (Hal. 58.8), like the snail that dissolves [into slime].
• References:
  • PCP puupuu.

2. n., Any circular motif, as in tapa.

• Examples:
  • Kōnane pūpū, checkerboard pattern [with rounded pits on each square, as on tapa].

3. nvt., Relish, appetizer, canapé, hors d'oeuvre; formerly, the fish, chicken, or banana served with kava; to eat a pūpū.

• Examples:
  • Ā pūpū i ka ʻanae (For. 5:491), and mullet as appetizer.
• References:
  • Cf. pū #9.
  • PPN puupuu.

4. nvi., Bunch, tuft, bundle, as of grass; bouquet; to be bundled up; three or four ʻuo tied together, to be used for featherwork.

• Examples:
  • Pūpū pili, bundle of pili grass.
  • Pūpū husopa (Puk. 12.22), bunch of hyssop.
• Related:
  • hoʻopūpū Caus/sim.; To arrange in bunches.
• References:
  • Cf. pūpū weuweu.
  • PPN puupuu.

5. nvt., To draw or gather together; to draw tight, as a fishing net.

• Examples:
  • Pūpū wahi kūʻōʻō ka mahi ʻai o uka; ola nō ia kini he mahi ʻai na ka ʻōiwi, the upland farmer gathers the small injured sweet potatoes; the multitudes find life, when the farmer farms for himself [though the potatoes may be small, the independent farmer supplies his kin].
• References:
  • Cf. pūpū lauoho, pūpū weuweu.

6. See ʻupena papa.

Any circular motif, as in a kapa design. (PE.)

Clump of grass.

General name for sea and land shells; a snail. The meat of the larger ones is relished by the Hawaiians. (Hal. 58:8.)