Ka Wehena: Kaulana Hawai‘i

Na Wai Puna o Kona – Na Kupuna

Kaulana Hawai’i lā Nā mea Aloha lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Hawai’i Kamehameha Hawai’i lā Mō’i ka moku lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Hawai’i Eō e Maui lā I luna o Haleakalā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Maui ‘Ōnipa’a Kalaupapa Lei hiwahiwa lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Moloka’i He Nani Lana’i lā Kāpaianaha lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Lana’i Nā pali O’ahu lā Ha’aheo Sanoe lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O O’ahu Ikaika Kaua’i lā ‘Ohi’ohi (nā) pa’akai lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Kaua’i Kūpa’a ‘o Ni’ihau (Nā) ‘Ike o nā kūpuna lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Ni’ihau Ho’ōla Kaho’olawe I ka moku piko lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Kaho’olawe Kaulana Hawai’i lā Nā mea Aloha lā Eia ho’i ke ola lā ‘O Hawai’i

Famous is Hawai’i Loveable things indeed Present is the life Hawai’i Kamehameha of Hawai’i Chief of this island Present is the life Hawai’i Rejoice Maui High above Haleakalā Present is the life Maui Steadfast Kalaupapa A precious lei indeed Present is the life Moloka’i Beauty is Lana’i Amazingly special Present is the life Lana’i The cliffs of O’ahu Proud mist indeed Present is the life O’ahu Strong is Kaua’i Gathering of salt Present is the life Kaua’i Stand firm is Ni’ihau Knowledge of the elders Present is the life Ni’ihau Healing is Kaho’olawe The center of all islands Present is the life Kaho’olawe Famous is Hawai’i Loveable things indeed Present is the life Hawai’i

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I ka ho’omaka ‘ana o keia makahiki hou, ua ho’oulu au i na kupuna o Kona a e a’o i ka ‘olelo Hawai’i ma ka hale kaiaulu ma Kaniohale i na Po’alua apau ma ke ‘ano he papa kupuna. No laila, i ka la ‘umikumakolu o Malaki, ua haku ‘ia keia mele e na kupuna o Na Wai Puna o Kona. Ua makemake au e ho’ohanohano i na mokupuni ‘ewalu me na mana’o kupaianaha o keia wa i hala aku nei. Na ‘Anakala George Na’ope i ha’i aku ai ia kekahi, “pono e haku mele e pili ana i keia wa a laila lilo i ka mana’o kahiko i na makahiki i hiki mai ‘ana.” No laila, ho’olalelale au i na kupuna e haku i keia mele. Aia keia mau mana’o kupaianaha i ola ai i na mokupuni apau; Kaulana o Hawai’i ia Kamehameha, he mo’i o ka moku; Eo e Maui i ka mauna o Haleakalā; Ho’ohanohano i na po’e o Kalaupapa, he lei hiwa wale no; Nani Lana’i ma muli o na mea kupaianaha; Na pali kaulana o O’ahu pili i sanoe; ‘Ikaika wale ‘o Kaua’i, wahi ‘ohi’ohi pa’akai; Kupa’a ho’i ia Ni’ihau i na mea pili i na kupuna; ho’ola ia Kaho’olawe, ka piko o ka moku; a eia ho’i ke ola o Hawai’i la.

At the beginning of this year, I invited a gathering of elders of Kona to learn the Hawaiian language at the community center of Kaniohale every Tuesday. On March 13, this song was composed by the elders of Na Wai Puna o Kona. I desired to honor the eight beautiful Hawaiian islands with amazingly special things of times past. Uncle George Na’ope said that we must write chants or songs about this time so that these thoughts would become ancient as the years progress. Therefore, I inspired the elders to compose this song. We present the many amazing stories of Hawai’i: Kamehameha, the chief of Hawai’i Island; rejoicing at Maui for a mountain called Haleakalā; giving honor to the people of Kalaupapa, a precious lei indeed; beautiful is Lana’i because of many amazingly special places and things; honoring the mist upon the cliff of O’ahu; Kaua’i is strong and a place where Hawaiian salt is gathered; standing firm is Ni’ihau, which is guided by the elders; the healing of Kaho’olawe, the center of our islands. Present is the life of Hawai’i.

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Sung utilizing the tune “Na Moku ‘Eha” – kupaianaha indeed – amazingly special. Mahalo nui loa. Offered by Kumu Keala Ching.

Contact Kumu Keala Ching: kumukeala@nawaiiwiola.org