Na Mele are the songs of Hawai`i. These
songs are written in a variety of styles that have developed
over the years ranging from traditional songs to contemporary
ballads. In ancient Hawaiian times, there were two main categories
of mele: kahiko and `auana. Mele Kahiko were songs and chants
that were used to honor Gods and ancestors. Mele `auana were
generally used to pass on stories and legends between generations.
Ka Wohi Ku I Ka Moku |
|
A name chant for Queen Lili'uokalani. |
E Mahalo nui (ke kuini)
Ke ali'i wahine (o Hawai'i)
O Lili'ulani (Ku i ka moku)
O Ka wohi ku (I ke kalaunu)
E Noho ana (na hana ke aloha)
I Ka 'Ehu'ehu (oe)
E noho mai oe (i ka nahenahe)
Me na pu'uwai aupuni (lana malie)
Lilo a 'i'ole (na enemi)
Na kipa ka'ili (aupuni)
Aihue aina (na hana paka)
Puni koko (halima)
Hila hila ole
I ka nani ('oe Hawai'i)
Lana kamana'o (mai ka lokahi)
O Aupuni (mai Hawai'i a Kaua'i)
E Mo'i Ka Mau (ho'ohui aina)
E Ku e kalani (make loa)
Hanohano ole (ha'a i ka pono)
Pela na Pigi (ku e lahui)
E na mamo mai (eia Hawai'i)
O Bosetona
Pa'a lima i ka pono o ka lima
Ha'ina ka lani i wehi ia
No hou o Lili'uokalani I ke kapu
|
We give thanks
To the Queen of Hawai'i
Lili'ulani of the islands
Sitting on your throne
Your love is great
And your beauty greater
Your sweet voice is pleasing
Easing our hearts
Do not fear your enemys
For our kingdom is strong
Like the fertile land
We are connected to this land
Nothing can compare
To the beauty of Hawai'i
We know what is right and true
For our Kingdom
Stretching from Hawai'i to Kaua'i
Long live our ruler
Standing amongst the heavens
You are famous
And our kingdom will never be taken
Your cloak adorns you
Returning from Boston
And you have it in your tight grasp
Tell the story
Of the sacred Lili'uokalani
|
Top
Onipa`a Ka Pua O Ka Hala |
|
Mark Keali'iho'omalu
A name chant for Lili’uokalani, probably
referring to one of her trips to the continental U.S. in
her attempt to restore the monarchy. |
E Lili'u e Li'liu ho'i
Pehea Wasinetona aku i ka la'i
Eia la I ka maluhia i
ka uluwehiwehi o na pua
O kahae Hawai'i ka'u aloha
I ka welo ha'aheo 'I'olani Hale
Mehelano e i mai ana
Eia o ka lani la i ke kapu
E Kalani e kalani ho'i
Ko leo aloha e hi'ipoi
Ia ilihia wale ku'u ike ana
I ka lumi kalaunu o haleali'i
He ali'i na maka uouo ku'u lani
A ka lahui e hi'ipoi nei
E ola E ola ho'i
E ola o kalani a i ke akua
He lani nui 'oe
Ua puni ia ke kuini mo'i no hawai'i
O Haleakala ka'u aloha
I ka hehi ku ia e ka lepo wale
Ha'awi ke aloha make ane lima
I ka lahui maka'ainana
E Le'ahi E Le'ahi ho'i
Pehea 'ihi'ihilau
A kea ho'okolo ia aku i Tahiti
Me kalakou mo'i kamole 'ole hua
Pa'a ke aloha i ka 'aina
Lei i ka lei o ka lanakila
He aku ma kou o mai 'oe
O Lili'u O Lolokulani I ke kapu
E Kalani e kalani ho'i
Ko leo aloha e hi'ipoi
Ia ilihia wale ku'u ike ana
I ka lumi kalaunu o haleali'i
He ali'i na maka uouo ku'u lani
A ka lahui e hi'ipoi nei
|
Return 'O Lili'u
What is there in Washington?
Come back to the safe refuge
Among the abundant flowers
The flag of Hawai'i is dear to us
Swaying high above 'I'olani Palace
Here is your sacred gift
From the heavens
Return 'O sacred one
Your loving voice is dear to us
Your beauty is to be seen
Sitting on your throne
As you rule over your Kingdom
This nation we hold close to us
May your life be long
And God bless you
You indeed are from heaven
Ruler throughout Hawai'i
Even the top of beloved Haleakala
Traveling through these islands
Here is our gift of love
As you rule over your people
Return to Diamond Head
Return to us
From shores farther than Tahiti
Return to your kingdom
Your love is tied to this land
Wearing your victorious lei
Answer us
'O sacred Lili'u O Lolokulani
Return 'O sacred one
Your loving voice is dear to us
Your beauty is to be seen
Sitting on your throne
As you rule over your Kingdom
This nation we hold close to us
|
Top
He Inoa No Lili`uokalani |
|
Mark Keali'iho'omalu
A name chant for Lili'uokalani, honoring many visual beauties of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. |
Mekila ke ka'i a ka ua noe
Pohaku pa'a o Lolokulani
Kahea po lani i ke aka po
Mai loko mai o au loa la e ala e
Pu ko aku o kaihi kapu
O ka pe'ape'a o na lani nui
Huki e ka lani pa'a na moku
Ua lo ia manai ia ka lani e ala e
Hanau Papa ia Hawai'i
Ho'okahua ia o Maui
He 'opua kau Moloka'i
He 'ilio kohekohe o Lana'i e ala e
He pale ka'a a ka Kanaloa
Hui aina hono a'o Pi'ilani
'O'o ka opu'u hou o ka moku
O welowela ole o ka maka la e ala e
'O'o ka manu kina'u ia ka lani
Kou kino manu e halulu
Kau a na iwi kau i kaua
Kukui a o ke awakea la e ala e
Ha'ina ka lani i ohohia
O Lili'uokalani I Ke Kapu e ala e
Ha'ina ka lani i ohohia
O Lili'uokalani I Ke Kapu e ala e
He Inoa No Lili'uololokulani I Ke Kapu
|
The gentle rain enters
Blessing our leader, Lolokulani
The heavenly answer from the darkness
Forever you will reign
The call of sacredness
As the royal flag sways in the heavens
It is the standard of these islands
A proud royal flag
Papa gives birth to Hawai'i
And then to Maui
The clouds of Moloka'i
And the red dog of Lana'i
Kanaloa's seas are rolling
Into the bays of Pi'ilani
Strengthening our islands
A beautiful sight
The O'o bird is your heavenly adornment
Soaring as a cloak over your body
We honor our ancestors
As the light from the kukui shines
Let the story be told
Of the sacred Lili'uokalani
Let the story be told
Of the sacred Lili'uokalani
For Lili'uololokulani I Ke Kapu
|
Top
Holoholo Ka`a / Mokokaikala |
|
Clarence Kinney
A recent composition, Mokokaikala tells of the joy rides on a motorcycle. |
Holoholo Ka'a
Kaua i ka holoholo ka'a
'oni ana ka huila lawe a lilo
Ku'u aku 'oe a pau pono
Na huahelu e kau ana
Mokokaikala
Kaulana e holo
O ka mokokaikala
Oni ana ka uila
Me ke kani o ka paipu
Hui:
Vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm
Vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm
Ho'oheno o Waile'e
Ka ua no ka heihei
Puni ke kuahiwi
Pa'a ku 'oe i ka lepo
Le'ale'a i ka hele
Ma kealanui o Pele
Ike i na kela moku
Me na wa hini laikini
Ha'ina ka puana
O ka mokokaikala
Kaulana e ka holo
Oni ana ka uila
Holoholo Ka'a
Ha'ina ko wehi e ku'u lei
Ke huli ho'i nei kaua
Honi aku 'oe i ka 'ailea
Ke'oni nei ka huila
|
You and I on joy ride
Wheels turn and carry us far away
Just relax until no more
Numbers come up
Famous is the journey
On the motorcycle
It shakes from the engine
And listen to its roar
Chorus:
Vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm
Vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm vrrmm
Cherished is Waile'e
As we race around
Around the island, into the uplands
You best hang on
Great joy comes from riding
Down the roads of Pele
Take in the sights of the island
And always have your license
Tell the refrain
Of the motorcycle
Famous is this joy ride
It shakes from the engine
Sing your song my beloved
We go home
Breathing gasoline
Wheels turning
|
Top
Ka Beauty A`o Manoa |
|
Anthony K. Conjugacion
The inspiration for this mele came to the composer when he would walk to work in the mornings, from lower Makiki to Mänoa uka. Originally a chant (mele hula), entitled "Ke Kuahiwi o Mänoa" composed in 1982, it was later put to music in 1984. On his morning treks, he would enjoy the cool and fragrant mornings, as he would walk along East Mänoa Road. The inspiration was all the precious things that we sometimes overlook in the rush of our lives. That awareness was encouraged by one of the composer's hula mentors, Maiki Aiu Lake, whom at the time had her hälau at St. Francis High School, located in the valley. In 1985, it was recorded on the composer's debut recording project, "Hawaiian Passion", and was dedicated to Maiki as well as another of her students, Edward P. Kalähiki, Jr. In 1986, it attained a coveted "Nä Hökü Hanohano Award" for "Song of the Year". |
Nani wale ke 'ike i kakahiaka la
Ke kuahiwi o Manoa
Ke noenoe mai nei ho'opulu ana i ke one
Pulu pe i ka 'ilihia
He beauty i ka ua Tuahine o Manoa
Pa aheahe ka makani
I ke 'ala o ka laua'e
Ke onaona o na pua mahiehie i ka wao
I ka waokele i pali uliuli la
Honehone i ka Puakea
Ke pa wai a inu a kena heha i ka ho'ouliuli
He mana'o pono keia
Puana e ka u'i ka uka o Manoa
I ka 'ehu kakahiaka
Pulu pe i ka 'ilihia ho'opulu ana
i ke one
Ke pili mai i'ane'i
Ka Beauty A'o Manoa
|
Beautiful to behold in the morning
The uplands of Manoa
With a gentle mist, quenching the land
(I am) drenched in awe
A beauty is the Tuahine rain of Manoa
Engulfed in the breeze
Brinigng the sweet scent of the laua'e
And the fragrance of the flowers in the forest
In the forest and on the lush green cliffs
Sweetly kissed by the Puakea rain
(One) can drink 'til satisfied to the hilt of pleasure
Ah! Such a good idea!
So shall the uplands of Manoa
Remain beautiful in the morning
Drenched in awe, the land is quenched,
Here we shall be together
(in) the Beauty of Manoa
|
Top
Ka Ipo Lei Manu |
|
Queen Kapi'olani
In Hawaiian poetry, the sweetheart is personified as the `i`iwi bird. Julia Kapi`olani, the shy and retiring widow of Chief Bennett Namakeha, was one of the most beautiful women of her time and married High Chief David Kâlakaua, Dec. 1863, who was elected king in 1874. Queen Kapi`olani composed this song for her husband after he left Hawaii for the mainland aboard the Charleston, Nov, 1890. Under great political stress, his doctors thought a change of climate would benefit his failing health. He arrived in San Francisco, Dec 4 and took up residence at the Palace Hotel. He toured southern California and returned to San Francisco the middle of January for medical attention. January 20, 1891, the King died at the Palace Hotel. His last words were "Tell my people I tried". He never heard this haunting love song. |
He mana'o he aloha
No ka ipo lei manu
He manu ku'u hoa
Noho mai i ka nahele
'I'iwi o uka
Polena i ka ua
'Elua maua
I ka po ua nui
Ua o Hanalei
Anu au ma'e'ele
Ua anu ho'i au
I ka ua noe anu
Na hau o Ma'ihi
'Au ana i ke kai
Na ulu o wehi
Punohu mai ana
Ha'ina ka puana
No kalani heleloa
Ha'ina ka puana
No kalani heleloa
No kalani heleloa
|
I have a feeling of love
For my cherished sweetheart
My companion is a bird
Who dwells in the forest
The 'i'iwi bird of the uplands
Appears yellow in the rain
The two of us
In the night of great rain
The rain of Hanalei
I'm numb with the cold
I'm also cooled
In the cold misty rain
The hau of Ma'ihi
Swimming in the sea
The vegetation
Spreading out
Tell the refrain
My chief is gone forever
Tell the refrain once more
Of the chief who went, and never returned
My chief is gone forever
|
Top
Lepe `Ula`ula |
|
Kaimanahila
This Waimea love story tells of a Big Island cowboy who uses his lariat to capture the object of his affection.
|
Lepe 'ula 'ula lepe 'o ka moa
Ka hua kulina 'ai a ka pelehu
Keiki mai au no Kawaihae
No ke kipuka 'ili lawe a lilo
'Elua wale iho ho'i maua
Ka hau hali'i a'o Waimea
Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana
Lepe 'ula 'ula lepe 'o ka moa
|
The red comb of the rooster
The corn eating turkey
I am a lad from Kawaihae
With a winning lasso
Just the two of us
Covered by the dew of Waimea
Tell the refrain
The red comb of the rooster
|
Top
Hawai`i No Ka `Oi |
|
Harry Na'ope
A song that praises the island of Hawai'i, particularly the three famous peaks of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualala'i. This song is often a favorite of hula dancers because of its lively melody and upbeat tempo and instills a great sense of pride within all those who call the islands their home. Truly, Hawai'i is the best.
|
'O Mauna Kea, ku kilakila
Me ka wai hu'i a'o Wai'au
Wai hu'I anu (hu'i konikoni)
Hu'I knoiknoi (koni i ka 'ili)
I ka piko o Mauna Kea
Hawai'i no e ka 'oi
E 'alawa iho ia Mauna Loa
I ke kahela mai i ka la'i
Kohu moa kea (i ka malie)
Ka waiho mai (la i ka la'i)
I ka poli O Wahinekapu
Hawai'i no e ka 'oi
E kilohi a'e 'oe i ka nani
O ke kuahiwi 'o Hualalai
Ala'i ana (ka makani 'Eka)
Ho'ohaehae (i ka naulu)
Me ka uhiwai o ka uka
Hawai no e ka 'oi
Ha'ina mai ana ka puana
Na kuahiwi nani 'ekolu
'O Mauna Kea (ku kilakila)
'O Mauna Loa (kau i ka hano)
'O Hulalai i ka la'i
Hawai'i no e ka 'oi
|
Mauna Kea stands majestic
With the numbing waters of Waiau
Numbing cold water
Making the skin tingle
On the dome of Mauna Kea
Hawai'i is the best
See Mauna Loa for yourself
Spreading peacefully
Like a white hen in the calm
Lying there in the quiet
With the sacred woman (Pele) in its bosom
Hawai'i is the best
Glance at the beauty
Of the mountain Hualala'i
Stirred by the dusty wind
Teased by the sudden showers
And covering mists of the inlands
Hawai'i is the best
The story is told
Of the three beautiful mountains
Mauna Kea standing majestically
Mauna Loa in a position of honor
Hualala'i in the calm
Hawai'i is the best
|
Top
|
