Mele Ho‘okipa O‘ahu

Manu Boyd

This oli komo was composed for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention held in Waikīkī, O‘ahu, on October 26, 2006. As hosts of the event, the clubs of Kākuhiwa bid welcome to their non-O‘ahu compatriots and asked them to enter the ballroom of the Waikīkī Marriott Hotel. The mele carefully avoids naming the hotel or allowing non-Hawaiian elements to intrude upon native space; the reference, instead, is to what lies beneath, to what came before: to Hamohamo, the Waikīkī residence of ‘Aikanaka, the maternal grandfather of Lili‘uokalani. Hamohamo was inherited by Lili‘u upon the passing of ‘Aikanaka, and it became, for her, a place of respite and inspiration. This is the la‘i ‘olu that the poet invokes and the foundation upon which he means the convention to stand. The poet has asked us, moreover, to recognize the late John Kaimikaua as the source of the mele’s third line: "Ōhāhā ka hua kūpuna – The fruits of our ancestors flourish." Kaimikaua’s maxim served, in fact, as the theme of this year’s convention.

E kipa mai i ka la‘i ‘olu o Hamohamo
I ke one kaulana o Kākuhihewa
Ōhāhā ka hua kūpuna ē
‘O ka lei wehi no Kalaniana‘ole
Ua pa‘a ke aloha no ka ‘āina ē
Aloha O‘ahu ē! E kipa mai ho‘i ē!

We bid you welcome to the peaceful realm of Hamohamo
Upon the famed sands of Kākuhihewa, our royal ancestor
Indeed, the fruits of knowledge of our ancestors flourish
And are worn as an adornment for Kalaniana‘ole
Our love for this land is unwavering
Love to O‘ahu! Welcome to all!

© Manu Boyd 2006