Culture,  Hawaii Island 2017 Nov-Dec,  Ka Wehena,  Kumu Keala Ching,  Spirit

Ka Wehena: ‘Ohai‘ula

Sunset at ‘Ōhai‘ula (Spencer Beach Park). photo courtesy of Aaron Miyasato

Na Kumu Keala Ching

I ka nani ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula
Ma ke kai hāwanawana
Malu ‘ia ‘o Mauna Kea
Pili maila (‘o) Pu‘u Koholā

Eō mai ē, e ala ē
Eō mai ē ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula

Lana mai nā kūpuna
Puka maila ma ‘Ōhai‘ula
‘Ike wale iā Haleakalā
‘Alenuihāhā lā

Eō mai ē, e ala ē
Eō mai ē ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula

Puana ‘ia mai
Lohe ‘ia ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula
Mālama nō ka inoa
Nā kama Kanu o ka ‘āina

Eō mai ē, e ala ē
Eō mai ē ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula

Eō mai ē ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula

Beautiful indeed is ‘Ōhai‘ula
At the whispering sea
Protected by Mauna Kea
Pu‘u Koholā relatively close

Rejoice indeed, Awaken
Rejoice the name, ‘Ōhai‘ula

Upon the waters are those
Arise from within ‘Ōhai‘ula
Haleakalā is seen
Indeed is ‘Alenuihāhā

Rejoice indeed, Awaken
Rejoice the name, ‘Ōhai‘ula

It is said
‘Ōhai‘ula is heard
A name of honor
By the children of the land

Rejoice indeed, Awaken
Rejoice the name, ‘Ōhai‘ula

Rejoice the name, ‘Ōhai‘ula


‘Ike ‘ia ka nani ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula e nā kūpuna o Kona, ma ke kai hāwanawana lohe ‘ia ka inoa ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula. Ma uka ala, aia ho‘i ka malu o Mauna Kea, pili ho‘i i ka nani ‘o Pu‘ukoholā. Eō maila ka inoa ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula, e ala ē, eō mai ē! Lana ho‘i ka pono o ke kai, puka maila ka nani ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula. Ma ku‘u maka, aia kū kilakila ‘o Haleakalā me ‘Alenuihāhā lā. Eō maila ka inoa ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula!

The beauty of ‘Ōhai‘ula seen by the elders of Kona, upon the whispering sea you are able to hear the name ‘Ōhai‘ula. Upward is Mauna Kea protector of ‘Ōhai‘ula, relatively near Pu‘ukoholā. Rejoice the name of ‘Ōhai‘ula, awaken, rejoice! Righteousness of the sea, beauty emerge from ‘Ōhai‘ula. My eyes witness the majestic Haleakalā and ‘Alenuihāhā. Rejoice the name ‘Ōhai‘ula!


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.