“Ohana” means family—your parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and close friends you choose to treat like family. It comes from Hawaiian and carries the idea that no one is left behind or forgotten.
In real life, people say “ohana” when they’re talking about their tight-knit group. A mom might text her kids, “Remember, ohana dinner at 7!” A group of college roommates may call themselves “ohana” because they cook and travel together like relatives. Even companies like Google sometimes use “ohana” in their culture docs to remind teams they’re all one big supportive crew.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- “You’re part of our ohana now—come over for Sunday barbecue.”
- “At work, we treat every intern like ohana, not just another employee.”
- “Lilo & Stitch taught me that ohana means nobody gets left behind.”
Context / Common Use
You’ll hear “ohana” most in Hawaii, but thanks to movies and social media it pops up worldwide when people want to stress deep, unconditional support. It fits in casual chats, Instagram captions, and even company slogans.
Is ohana only for blood relatives?
No. It includes anyone you accept as family, even close friends or teammates.
How do you pronounce ohana?
Oh-HAH-nah. The stress is on the second syllable.
Can I use ohana if I’m not Hawaiian?
Yes, just use it respectfully and in the spirit of care and inclusion it represents.
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