Hawaii Island 2014 Jan–Feb,  Ka Wehena,  Kumu Keala Ching

Ka Wehena: Kaulana Ka Wai Ola (Honored Waters of Life)

Na Kumu Keala Ching

‘Ae, Kaulana ka wai ola

‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la?
I ka uliuli lani, lipo ka honua
Noho ke ao ‘Ōpua, kuahiwi ala
Aia i laila ka wai ola ē!

‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la?
I ka ua Kilihune, pulu i ka pua
Pā lahi ka ‘ili, ‘ala ka ‘a‘ala
Aia i laila ka wai ola ē!

‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la?
I ke kahawai uka, huli iho ala
Lana maila i kai, pili ke kai ola
Aia i laila ka wai ola ē!

‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la?
Hū a‘ela ke ea, pili ho‘i ka wela
Noho ke ao ‘Ōpua, kuahiwi ala
Aia i laila ka wai ola ē!

‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la?
Aia no ka ‘ike, pili no ke ola
Aia no ka pilina, ke kino i ola ai
Aia i laila ka wai ola ē!

He mele nō Ka Wai Ola!

Honored waters of life

Where are the living waters
In the dark skies, within the deepest earth
Upon the ‘Ōpua clouds, high above
The waters of life are there!

Where are the living waters
The soft rains, softly drenching the flowers
Gently upon the skin, scenting so fragrantly
The waters of life are there!

Where are the living waters
High upon the rivers, seeking lower lands
Floating to sea, the sea of life
The waters of life are there!

Where are the living waters
As air flowing towards the sun
Upon the ‘Ōpua clouds, high above
The waters of life are there!

Here are the living waters
In the knowledge of life
In the relationship of the body that lives
The waters of life are there!

A song honoring the waters of life

‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la? Aia ke kino o ke Akua ā pili i nā kūpuna i kūpa‘a iā ia iho. Aia i laila ka wai ola. ‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la? Aia i uka pili i ka lani, iho mai ka honua ā ola ka wai o Waiaū. Aia i laila ka wai ola. ‘Auhea wale ka wai ola la? Huli ho‘i ka waiwai i loko ou ā e ‘ike ana ka wai ola i kou pu‘uwai. Aia i laila ka wai ola. E ola ka wai ola i ke Akua iā ha‘i.

Where are the living waters? Found within the body of the Higher Spirit and amongst the elders living firmly within themselves. The waters are found there. Where are the living waters? Found high above the heavens, upon the earth and within the living waters of Waiau. The waters are found there. Where are the living waters? Seek the deepest waters within yourself and seek the living waters in your heart. There the waters are found. Allow the living waters to live in the Higher Spirit before thee.


Inspired as a healing chant to recognize the living waters from heaven and earth to the living waters within. Recognize the relationship to influence changes forever and ever. ~ May 17, 2013

Contact writer 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.