What Does A Hui Hou Mean?

A hui hou means "until we meet again" in Hawaiian. It is the islands' way of saying goodbye without finality. Where English offers a flat "goodbye" or "see you later," Hawaiian wraps its farewell in a promise: we will reconnect.

Break the phrase into its three parts. A means "until." Hui means "to meet" or "to join together." Hou means "again" or "anew." Strung together, the phrase carries built-in optimism. Separation is temporary. Reunion is the expectation.

Other languages share this instinct. French has "au revoir" (until seeing again). Italian says "arrivederci" (until we see each other). Spanish uses "hasta luego" (until then). A hui hou belongs to this family of farewells that reject permanence.

The phrase reflects a core Hawaiian cultural value: connection between people matters, and relationships do not end just because physical proximity does. In a culture built on tight-knit communities spread across islands, the idea that parting is always temporary is not just polite. It is a worldview.

How to Pronounce A Hui Hou

A hui hou is pronounced ah HOO-ee HOH. Three words, four syllables total.

• A - "ah" (like the "a" in father)
• Hui - "HOO-ee" (two syllables, stress on the first)
• Hou - "HOH" (rhymes with "go," the H is clearly pronounced)

Hawaiian vowels follow consistent rules: A sounds like "ah," E like "eh," I like "ee," O like "oh," U like "oo." Every vowel is pronounced, and consonants never change their sound. Once you internalize these five vowel sounds, you can pronounce most Hawaiian words on sight.

The "h" at the start of "hou" is not silent. Give it a clear, audible breath. Dropping it turns the word into something unrecognizable.

A Hui Hou Kakou: Until We All Meet Again

When addressing a group, Hawaiians extend the phrase to a hui hou kakou (ah HOO-ee HOH kah-KOH). Kakou means "all of us" and is inclusive, meaning everyone present, speaker included.

You will hear this version at the end of luaus when the performers bid the audience farewell. Tour guides use it when dropping off a group. Community leaders close gatherings with it. The phrase turns a simple goodbye into something communal, acknowledging every person in the room.

A more intimate variation exists: a hui hou kaua (ah HOO-ee HOH KAH-oo-ah). Kaua means "the two of us" and is reserved for one-on-one farewells. You would use this with a close friend or someone you have spent meaningful time with during your trip.

Cultural Meaning of A Hui Hou

Hawaiian culture treats relationships as ongoing threads, not episodes with start and end dates. The concept of pilina (connection, relationship) runs through Hawaiian life. People are bound to each other, to the land, and to their ancestors through relationships that do not dissolve with distance or time.

A hui hou reflects this. There is no "final goodbye" in the Hawaiian worldview. Even when someone passes away, Hawaiians speak of them as having gone ahead, not gone permanently. The living will follow in time. Separation is a pause, not a period.

Hawaiian music leans heavily on a hui hou. Farewell songs, called "aloha ʻoe" songs after Queen Liliʻuokalani's famous composition, often weave the phrase into their lyrics. These songs are bittersweet by design. The sadness of parting sits right next to the certainty of return.

Walk through any Hawaiian airport and you will see the phrase on departure signs. "A Hui Hou -- Come Back Soon" greets travelers heading to their gates. It is the last Hawaiian words many visitors read before leaving the islands, and it hits differently than a generic "Thank you for visiting."

When to Use A Hui Hou in Hawaii

Use a hui hou whenever you are leaving a place or parting from someone you expect (or hope) to see again. It works in any situation where the English "see you later" would fit.

• Checking out of your hotel or vacation rental
• At the end of a guided tour, snorkel cruise, or helicopter ride
• Leaving a luau after the final dance
• Saying goodbye to new friends you met on the beach or at a bar
• At the airport when departing Hawaii
• Leaving a restaurant where the staff got to know you during your trip
• After a hula performance or cultural demonstration

Even if you are unlikely to return to that exact spot, the phrase is still appropriate. It expresses warmth and respect. Locals appreciate hearing it from visitors because it signals awareness of Hawaiian culture beyond the surface level.

At departure gates in Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, and Lihue, airport signage reads "A Hui Hou" alongside the familiar "Aloha." It is the islands' way of saying the door is always open.

Other Hawaiian Farewell Phrases

A hui hou fits into a family of Hawaiian expressions used when parting:

• Aloha - the most versatile Hawaiian word, used for both hello and goodbye, plus love, compassion, and affection
• A hui hou - until we meet again (specific farewell with expectation of return)
• Malama pono (MAH-lah-mah POH-noh) - take care, look after yourself, be well
• A hui hou kakou - until we all meet again (group farewell)
• Mahalo - thank you (often paired with a farewell)

You can combine these naturally. "Mahalo, a hui hou" (thank you, until we meet again) is a common pairing when leaving a tour or restaurant. "Malama pono, a hui hou" (take care, until we meet again) is what a friend might say.

For more Hawaiian vocabulary, see our guide to Hawaiian words to know for your vacation and our collection of common Hawaiian phrases. To understand the cultural framework behind these words, read about the meaning of ohana (family).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a hui hou mean in Hawaiian?

A hui hou means "until we meet again." It is a farewell that implies you expect to see the person again. Warmer and more personal than a simple goodbye, it reflects the Hawaiian belief that separations are temporary.

How do you pronounce a hui hou?

Ah HOO-ee HOH. Three words, four syllables. The stress falls on the first syllable of "hui" and the single syllable of "hou." Pronounce the H in "hou" clearly.

What is the difference between a hui hou and aloha?

Aloha works as both hello and goodbye and carries broad meanings of love and compassion. A hui hou is exclusively a farewell and specifically means "until we meet again." It carries the expectation of reunion, while aloha is more general.

When should visitors use a hui hou?

Use it when leaving a place or saying goodbye to someone you hope to see again. Common moments: departing a tour, checking out of your hotel, leaving a luau, saying goodbye to new friends, or heading to the airport at the end of your trip.