Where does “kanu” come from?
kanu (Hawaiian) comes from Proto-Polynesian tanu, from Proto-Oceanic ranum, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian danum, from Proto-Austronesian daNum — fresh water; water.
kanu (Hawaiian): to plant; to bury
Ancestry of “kanu”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Proto-Polynesian | tanu | bury |
| 2 | Proto-Oceanic | ranum | — |
| 3 | Proto-Malayo-Polynesian | danum | water |
| 4 | Proto-Austronesian | daNum | fresh water; water |