1. OI AKUʻ
HAW 102

2. OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1
MA MUA O object 2
The trait of object 1 is greater
than (the trait) of object 2
• Oi aku can literally be translated as “exceeding, more, above or greaterʻ
than.” This pattern is used to compare two objects.
• As you can see, the trait of object 1 has to be greater than that of object
2. You can compare any trait between the two objects. Examples of
traits could be: tall/short, fat/skinny, hot/cold, etc.

3. N LA ANAĀ ʻ
OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1 MA MUA O object 2
• English: My hair is longer than my sister’s hair.
• Hawaiian thinking: The longness of my hair is greater than
(the longness) of my sister’s hair.
– In this sentence, the trait being compared is length or “longer.”
– My hair is object 1
– My sister’s hair is object 2.
• Oi aku ka lō ihi o ko u lauoho ma mua o ko ko uʻ ʻ ʻ ʻ
kaikua ana lauoho.ʻ

4. N LA ANAĀ ʻ
OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1 MA MUA O object
2
• English: This pattern is easier than the Pepeke Nono a.ʻ
• Hawaiian thinking: The easiness of this pattern is
greater than (the easiness) of the Pepeke Nono aʻ
– Trait = easier
– Object 1 = this pattern
– Object 2 = the Pepeke Nono aʻ
• Oi aku ka ma alahi o kēia pepeke ma mua o ka Pepekeʻ ʻ
Nono a.ʻ

5. N LA ANAĀ ʻ
OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1 MA MUA O object 2
• English: My rabbit is bigger than your cat.
• Hawaiian thinking: The bigness of my rabbit is
greater than (the bigness) of your cat.
– Trait = bigger
– Object 1 = my rabbit
– Object 2 = your cat
• Oi aku ka nui o ka u lāpaki ma mua o kāu pōpoki.ʻ ʻ

6. ME KA I OAʻ
OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1 MA MUA O object 2
• Note that when the object is an i oa (proper noun), o isʻ ʻ
not necessary before the name as the o means of.’ʻ
• English: Kanani is shorter than Makamae.
• Hawaiian thinking: The shortness of Kanani is
greater than (the shortness) of Makamae
– Trait = shorter
– Object 1 = Kanani
– Object 2 = Makamae
• Oi aku ka pōkole o Kanani ma mua o Makamae.ʻ

7. NO N PAPANIĀ
Please note the following exceptions when using
papani:
O + AU = O Uʻ
O + OE = OUʻ
O + O IA = ONAʻ

8. ME N PAPANIĀ
OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1 MA MUA O object 2
• English: I am fatter than you.
• Hawaiian thinking: The fatness of me is greater than (the
fatness) of you or My fatness is greater than yours.
– Trait = fatness
– Object 1 = me
– Object 2 = you
• Oi aku ka momona o u ma mua ou ORʻ ʻ
‘Oi aku ko u momona ma mua o kou (momona).ʻ

9. ME N PAPANIĀ
OI AKU KA/KEʻ trait O object 1 MA MUA O object 2
• English: She is nicer than me.
• Hawaiian thinking: The niceness of she is greater than (the
niceness) of me or Her niceness is greater than my niceness.
– Trait = niceness
– Object 1 = her
– Object 2 = me
• Oi aku ka olu olu ona ma mua o u ORʻ ʻ ʻ ʻ
‘Oi aku kona olu olu ma mua o ko u.ʻ ʻ ʻ

10. SPECIAL NOTES
• Also note that you can use oi aku with nāʻ
māka painu as in the following examples:
– E oi aku ana ke akamai o Kapua ma mua o Nani.ʻ
– Kapua is going to be smarter than Nani.
– Ua oi aku ka wela o ka ipuhao ma mua o ke pā.ʻ
– The pot was hotter than the plate.