Hawaii Island 2012 May–Jun,  Ka Wehena,  Kumu Keala Ching,  Spirit

Ka Wehena: Kaulana Hawai‘i

Life in Spirit

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


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.


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

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.