Closest Meaning:
* ʻAno (ah-noh): This word means "nature," "kind," or "type," and can sometimes convey the essence of something.
* ʻIke (ee-kay): This word means "knowledge" or "understanding," and can be used to refer to the essential nature of something.
Figurative Expressions:
* ʻUlu (oo-loo): This word means "heart," "center," or "core," and could be used to refer to the essence of something.
* Puka (poo-kah): This word means "hole" or "opening," and can be used metaphorically to refer to the essence of something that is hidden or difficult to grasp.
Other Possibilities:
* ʻIao (ee-ah-oh): This word means "spirit" or "soul" and could be used to refer to the essence of something that is intangible.
Ultimately, the best way to translate "essence" into Hawaiian depends on the specific context and what you want to convey.
It's important to note that translating concepts directly from one language to another can be tricky. The best way to find a good translation is to consider the specific context and choose the word that most accurately captures the meaning you want to convey.