Pono

The word pono in the Hawaiian language is referred to most popularly as 'righteousness'. As is stated in the Hawaii state motto: "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka okinaĀina i ka Pono" (translated directly as: the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness). [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ua+mau+ke+ea+o+ka+aina+i+ka+pono]

However, the word is often used to mean correct, honorable, or good.

There are strong cultural and spiritual connotations to the word. A loose definition could be a state of harmony or balance, in which every thing is as it should be for that moment. It is often used as affirmation in prayers, especially within Kanaka Maoli healing arts and the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement.

The word was immortalized in the 2001 Disney Channel Original Movie "Johnny Tsunami", as the grandfather of the main character uses the word extensively. As a result of the popularity of the film, many American kids began using the word and quoting the famous line, "Hey! Pono!" It is especially common to use this phrase as an enthusiastic greeting over the phone.

External links

* [http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ua+mau+ke+ea+o+ka+aina+i+ka+pono Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]