Ua Lei Mā‘ohu

Puni Uhiwai

This mele was composed in November, 2005. It honors a new relationship and the ‘eha which is sometimes inspired by the uncertainty of an affair. Like mist that settles on an especially distant mountain peak, ia mea he aloha gently unfolds along its own path—one does not expect it and can never dictate it. Ka pīhoihoi o ka na‘au, however, is unmistakable and one should follow where it beckons, as "‘a‘ole loa i ka hana a ke aloha"—distance is ignored by love. (Pukui, ‘Ōlelo No‘eau 173)

‘Auhea ‘oe e ku‘u pili, ku‘u hoa i ka ua Līlīlehua
Kāhiko i ka lei mā‘ohu o ka līhau
Ka pua mā‘ohi o ke ao loa
E ku‘u pili, ‘auhea ‘oe—

‘Ohu‘ohu i ke anu kuaehu, ka ua kani ko‘o o He‘eia
Eia nō au e ‘auana nei
He ‘ohu ke aloha, ‘a‘ohe kuahiwi kau ‘ole
E ku‘u pili, ‘auhea ‘oe—

Pulupē i ka ua Kūkalahale
Ka ua lei mā‘ohu a ‘o uka
Ma ka poli iho nei e la‘i ai
E ku‘u pili, ‘auhea ‘oe—

E ‘alawa mai ho‘i ‘oe e ka ipo
‘Alawa mai i nēia u‘i
‘O ka ‘eha kēia, ka mamae a ke aloha
E ku‘u pili, ‘auhea ‘oe—

‘Auhea ‘oe e taku ipo, ku‘u pua kau mai i luna
A ka wā kūpono e hui ai
A kō ka ‘i‘ini a ka pu‘uwai
E ku‘u pili, aloha ‘oe.

© Puni Uhiwai, 2005