How do you say this year was challenging in hawaiian?

There isn't a single, perfect Hawaiian phrase to directly translate "this year was challenging." However, here are some options to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express:

Focusing on difficulty:

* Hemaka keia makahiki. (This year was difficult.)

* ʻAʻole maʻalahi keia makahiki. (This year was not easy.)

* Nui nā pilikia i loko o keia makahiki. (There were many difficulties this year.)

Focusing on struggle:

* Ua hakakā mākou i keia makahiki. (We struggled this year.)

* Ua hoʻoikaika nui mākou i keia makahiki. (We worked hard this year.)

Focusing on overcoming challenges:

* Ua ʻike mākou i nā pilikia i keia makahiki, akā ua lanakila mākou. (We faced challenges this year, but we overcame them.)

* Ua hoʻomaikaʻi mākou i keia makahiki, ʻoiai i nā pilikia. (We improved this year, despite the challenges.)

Adding context:

* You can also add context to your statement, like "Hemaka keia makahiki no ka ʻohana." (This year was difficult for the family.) or "Ua hakakā mākou i keia makahiki no ka loaʻa kālā." (We struggled this year to make money.)

Ultimately, the best way to say "this year was challenging" in Hawaiian depends on the specific situation and the message you want to convey.