Pūnihi ‘o Mauna Kea
Written by the eighth grade class of Kumu ‘Ilikea Kam at Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino 2014
Hō‘anu ‘o Mauna Kea i ka pūnihi
Pūnihi ka ‘ikena ma luna o nā moku
Mauna Kea sits majestically in the cold
The view overlooking the islands districts is noble
Ka home o Poli‘ahu, Ka home o Poli‘ahu
Kūpa‘a me ka ikaika nō ‘o Mauna Kea
It is the home of Poli‘ahu, It is the home of Poli‘ahu,
Mauna Kea stands firmly with strength
Ka makani hu‘ihu‘i kū‘ululū la
E ha‘ulili ana ‘o Lilinoe i ka ‘ili
The wind is frigid and makes one shiver with cold
Lilinoe (the mist) falls gently upon the skin
Kū ki‘eki‘e i ka Moku o Keawe
‘O Waiau ka piko o ka mauna
Standing high above the Island of Keawe
Waiau is the epicenter of the mountain
He wai kapu ‘o Waiau, He wai kapu ‘o Waiau
He wai kūikawā, wai hānai iwi
Waiau is a sacred water source, Waiau is a sacred water source
Indeed special waters, waters that feed the soul
Hā‘ina ‘ia mai ana ka puana
Hō‘anu ‘o Mauna Kea i ka pūnihi
Our story is told of
Mauna Kea standing majestically in the cold
This is one of the mele, or songs, that was created by the students at Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino this year in their Mākau ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language Arts) class as part of an awareness of the recent issues surrounding Mauna Kea. The students chose the research questions to answer through inquiry to delve more into Mauna Keaʻs significance to Hawaiian people.
The topics they found to be important about our mountain are: Waiau, the lake that is currently diminishing for unknown reasons; Pōhakuloa, both the land section as well as the military camp; Poli‘ahu, goddess of the snow; and Lilinoe, Poli‘ahuʻs sister, goddess of the mist/rain that creates the snow.
The students also engaged in deep conversations about the military presence at Mauna Kea and the use of Mauna Kea culturally and commercially, such as the tours and telescopes.
There are not too many songs written about Mauna Kea, therefore the students decided to create their own song to tribute Mauna Kea, Poli‘ahu, and Lilinoe.
This song will be this classʻ presentation at the schools Lā Mei (May Day) celebration this year. Mauna Kea was chosen by the school as the topic for this yearʻs celebration to bring awareness forth of Mauna Keaʻs significance to Hawai‘i.
Contact Kumu Keala Ching: kumukeala@nawaiiwiola.org
Kumu Keala Ching
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.
