In a general sense, 'mahalo' is used to express gratitude and admiration. It can also be used in other contexts, where you may want to express praise or convey your esteem or respect for something, or a group of people. This word can also be used to pay your respects to somebody specifically.

It has been recorded that the earliest visitors to Hawaii saw that although Hawaiians practiced a grateful and admiring culture, they had no particular word to express gratitude and to specifically say thank you. It was much later, following their contact with the western civilization, that the Hawaiians affixed the word 'mahalo' to mean thank you; but the norm is a foundational part of Hawaiian culture.

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