Pronunciation: hah-nai (rhymes with “eye”)

In Hawaiian, hānai refers to the traditional practice of informal adoption – taking someone into your family with love and care, even if they aren’t blood relatives. To hānai someone means to raise, nurture, and claim them as your own.

Hānai relationships were common in old Hawaii and still are today. A child might be hānai to an auntie, uncle, or grandparent for many reasons – to strengthen family ties, to care for a child, or to honor close relationships. The bond is considered just as strong as any blood connection.

Today, locals still use hānai casually –  you might hear, “That’s my hānai sister,” or “I was hānai to my grandparents.” It speaks to the Hawaiian idea that family is chosen just as much as it is given.

Local Tip:
If someone refers to their hānai family, understand that it’s real family – it just wasn’t formalized with paperwork. It’s about love, responsibility and belonging.

Cultural Note:
Hānai reflects the Hawaiian value of ‘ohana – family that’s built on love and commitment, not just bloodlines. It’s a beautiful reminder that family in Hawaii often extends far beyond traditional definitions.

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