Ka·na·ka also ka·na·ka (k -nä k, -n k)n. 1. Hawaii A Hawaiian of Polynesian descent; a Native Hawaiian. 2. Australian & New Zealand A South Sea Islander, especially one brought to Australia as a laborer in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often used disparagingly. [Hawaiian, human being, Kanaka.] Usage Note: Kanaka, which simply means "human being" in Hawaiian, is found today mostly in historical contexts and is not usually appropriate in ordinary discourse. As with many terms that refer to ethnic identity, Kanaka can suggest ethnic pride in some contexts while in others it may be taken as derogatory. |
Kanaka [kəˈnækə ˈkænəkə]
n
1. (Social Science / Peoples) (esp in Hawaii) a native Hawaiian
2. (often not capital) Austral any native of the South Pacific islands, esp (formerly) one abducted to work in Australia
[from Hawaiian: man, human being]
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