2018 July-August,  Ka Wehena,  Kumu Keala Ching

Ka Wehena: Hanohano e ka Manu

Na Kumu Keala Ching

‘Ae, Hanohano e ka Manu

Hanohano e ka manu Hāhālua ē
Au aku i kai o ka moana ē
He manu kō ke kai, maluhia ē
Eō mai e ka manu Hāhālua ē

Hanohano e ka manu ‘Iwa ē
Kahakaha i kai o ka moana ē
Huli iho e ka manu i ka ‘Āina ē
Eō mai e ka manu ‘Iwa ē

Hanohano e ka manu ‘Elepaio ē
Pi‘i a‘e i uka o ka waolani ē
Huli iho e ka manu i ke kumu ē
Eō mai e ka manu ‘Elepaio ē

Hanohano e ka manu ‘Ō‘ō ē
Lele aku, lele mai i ka lālā ē
Huki ‘ia ka hulu melemele ē
Eō mai e ka manu ‘Ō‘ō ē

Hanohano e ka manu ‘I‘iwi ē
Noho ke ali‘i kaulana i ke kua ē
Hali‘a ‘ia ke aloha pau‘ole ē
Eō mai e ka manu ‘I‘iwi ē

Hanohano e ka manu Pueo ē
Nāna iho ke ola i ka makani ē
Aia ho‘i ke ala i mua ala ē
Eō mai e ka manu Pueo ē

Hanohano e ka manu ‘Io ē
Kaha nani e ka manu i ka ‘āina ē
Aia ke ola i kō Hawai‘i ē
Eō mai e ka manu ‘Io ē

He mele hanohano e ka manu

Yes, Honoring the Birds

Honor given to the Manta Ray
Soaring within the vast ocean
A bird of the sea, peaceful indeed
Rejoice indeed the Hāhālua

Honor given to the ‘Iwa
Soaring above the vast ocean
Seeker of the land is the ‘Iwa
Rejoice indeed the ‘Iwa

Honor given to the ‘Elepaio
Guided upward to the forest
Seeker of the source (tree) is the ‘Elepaio
Rejoice indeed the ‘Elepaio

Honor given to the ‘Ō‘ō
Fluttering its wings upon the branch
Yellow feathers are gathered
Rejoice indeed the ʻŌ‘ō

Honor given to the ‘I‘iwi
Upon the shoulders, the ali‘i is carried
Remembrance of unconditional love
Rejoice indeed the ‘I‘iwi

Honor given to the Pueo
Its life upon the winds
Its path is the journey
Rejoice indeed the Pueo

Honor given to the Hawaiian Hawk
Soaring above the land
Life of Hawai‘i
Rejoice indeed the Hawaiian Hawk

Honor to the many birds

Nui ke aloha i nā manu kō Hawai‘i nei. He hanohano ia i kō ka hana o nā kahuna hānai manu i ka wā i hala. ‘Imi ho‘i i nā kumu koa i hiki ke hana ‘ia ka wa‘a, ‘ohi‘ohi nā hulu melemele i hiki ke hana ‘ia ka ‘ahu‘ula ali‘i, huli maila i ka ‘āina i hiki ke pae moku, ā wānana a‘ela i ka hō‘ailona i hiki ke kōkua ‘ia ka ‘ohana. Na nā manu i hō‘ike i nā mea waiwai kō ka hana no‘eau i ka Honua. Eō maila kō ka hana o ka manu.

Truly appreciative of Hawai‘iʻs native birds. We honor the work of the master bird watchers of the past. Birds seeking the perfect Koa trees to create canoes, yellow feathers used to create the cape of the chief, birds soar upon the ocean to seek land for a navigator, and families seeking the birds for ancestral omens. Native Hawaiian birds present the wise arts of the land. Rejoice the work of these birds.


Ke aloha nui i nā manu kō Hawai‘i nei—Love to our Native Hawaiian Birds!

For more information on Kumu Keala and Nä Wai Iwi Ola, visit: nawaiiwiola.org

Kumu Keala Ching is a Hawaiian cultural educator, composer, song writer, and spiritual advisor to many Hawaiian organizations. He lives and breathes aloha into his Hawaiian heritage with his strong presence and great heart. Under the tutelage of Loea Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Kumu Keala spent many years learning and building his knowledge. He is fluent in the Hawaiian language, which he uses as the foundation for teaching all of his students. Kumu Keala lives in Kailua-Kona, where he is Kumu Hula for Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola (the ancient waters of life) and co-founder and executive director of Na Wai Iwi Ola (NWIO) Foundation.