Kokua is a Hawaiian word that means help, assistance, or cooperation given with kindness and compassion. It represents the spirit of selfless giving and supporting others without expecting anything in return.
In Hawaiian culture, kokua embodies community care, teamwork, and the willingness to lend a helping hand whenever needed.
Origins of Kokua
The term “kokua” originates from the Hawaiian language, deeply rooted in the islands’ cultural values of aloha (love) and ohana (family). Historically, it described acts of mutual support within villages and communities, emphasizing harmony, unity, and shared responsibility.
Over time, kokua became widely used in both Hawaiian daily life and modern English expressions that promote cooperation and kindness.
How to Use Kokua in a Sentence?
The word kokua is often used in daily conversation, volunteer work, or community service contexts to express helping others with goodwill. It can refer to both physical help and emotional or moral support.
- “Thank you for your kokua during the charity event.”
→ Refers to someone’s generous help or assistance. - “We need everyone’s kokua to clean up the beach.”
→ Emphasizes teamwork and shared responsibility. - “She offered her kokua without hesitation when her neighbor was sick.”
→ Describes an act of kindness or compassion. - “Kokua is a central part of Hawaiian values, just like aloha.”
→ Explains the cultural importance of the word. - “With your kokua, we can make this project a success.”
→ Encourages cooperation to achieve a shared goal.
Pronunciation of Kokua
Pronounced as: koh-koo-ah (placeholder for audio pronunciation).
Words Similar to Kokua
- Aloha: Hawaiian term meaning love, peace, or compassion.
- Ohana: Means family, emphasizing unity and care for one another.
- Mahalo: Means thank you or gratitude for kindness.
- Laulima: Refers to cooperation or “many hands working together.”
- Kuleana: Describes responsibility or a sense of duty toward others.
