Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

kamaaina

American  
[kah-muh-ahy-nuh] / ˌkɑ məˈaɪ nə /
Or kama'aina

noun

  1. a longtime resident of Hawaii.


Etymology

Origin of kamaaina

First recorded in 1900–05; from Hawaiian kamaʿāina “native born,” equivalent to kama “child, person” + ʿāina “land, earth”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since that time, in the course of various long stays, he had earned the kamaaina distinction.

From On the Makaloa Mat by London, Jack

In other words, or, rather, in the potent Islands-word, they were kamaaina.

From On the Makaloa Mat by London, Jack

Mahope iho o kona hookaawale ana ia Aiwohikupua, hele aku oia a noho ma ka hale kamaaina.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

A hala aku la na kamaaina, ohu mai la he wahi nalu opuu, ia manawa ka Hauailiki hee ana i kona nalu.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

"He mea hiki ole ia makou ke hele aku," wahi a Laieikawai, "he pono e nana aku i ka na kamaaina heenalu ana."

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "kamaaina" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com