This document provides instruction on using the Hawaiian comparative structure "oi aku" to compare the traits of two objects. It can be translated as "is greater than" or "exceeds." The structure compares the trait of the first object to the same trait of the second object. Examples are given of comparing traits like length, easiness, size, and personality traits. Notes are provided on using this with proper nouns and pronouns. It can also be used with active verbs and past tense.

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.