馃尯 Hawaiian phrases

How to Say "I'm sorry" in Hawaiian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
E kala mai
"I'm sorry" in Hawaiian 路 say it like eh kah-lah my

The most natural way to say "I'm sorry" in Hawaiian is E kala mai. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

E kala mai ia驶u
Used when apologizing directly to someone
E kala mai i ka mea
Used when apologizing for something specific

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to express regret or apologize for something. It can be used in both formal and informal situations. It's a polite way to acknowledge a mistake or an inconvenience caused to someone.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I'm sorry" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Hawaiian

HawaiianEnglish
E kala mai, ua hala ko驶u manawa.I'm sorry, I missed my appointment.
Common mistake
Learners often forget to use the correct context for the apology, which can change the meaning.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear E kala mai, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Hawaiian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 'E kala mai'?

Use it when you want to apologize for a mistake or inconvenience.

Learn Hawaiian by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.