Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. n. Polynesian arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides, formerly known as T. pinnatifida), an herb known in the eastern tropics, formerly cultivated in Hawaiʻi for the starchy tubers, which were used for medicine and food. In spring or summer, a few leaves rise on long stems from a tuber and die back in the winter. The blades are much divided, about 30 cm wide, somewhat like papaya leaves in shape. Cf. māʻili 2. (HP 212, Neal 228–9.) (PPN pia.)

2. n. General name for starch; starch made from arrowroot is called pia Hawaiʻi to distinguish from other starches; pia is used in haupia pudding, as medicine, and as talcum powder. Pia kūlina, cornstarch. Lole pia, starched clothes.

3. vs. Pale yellow. Cf. hala pia, a pandanus, and hēpia, of the ʻilima flower.

4. n. A variety of taro. (HP 34.)

5. n. A variety of sweet potato. (HP 142.)

6. n. A kind of stone, as used for adzes.

7. Also bia n. Beer. Eng. Bia nui, lager beer. Bia wei, weiss beer.

8. n. Stork.

s. Any white substance, as flour or arrowroot, eaten by Hawaiians only in time of scarcity. See HAUPIA.

2. The flour or starch of the arrowroot; the plant tacca pinnatifida.

3. The name of a bird in Ier. 8:7; Lat. pius; the stork.

4. A kind of stone hammer.

1. Any white substance, as flour. See haupia.

2. The flour or starch of the arrowroot (Tacca pinnatifida), which was eaten by Hawaiians only in time of famine.

1. A cluster, said of fruit.

2. A compound fruit.