MELE: SONGS AND STORIES
Contemporary Mele
Welina O‘ahu
Kumu hula and award-winning musician Manu Boyd shares some of his favorite mele Hawaiʻi in our new series, Mele Hoʻoheno – Cherished Songs. We invite you to join him (and some very special guests) as he explores the meaning and significance of each song while offering personal memories, reflections, and anecdotes that help bring the story to life. E nanea mai!
Kumu hula and award-winning musician Manu Boyd shares some of his favorite mele Hawaiʻi in our new series, Mele Hoʻoheno – Cherished Songs. We invite you to join him (and some very special guests) as he explores the meaning and significance of each song while offering personal memories, reflections, and anecdotes that help bring the story to life. E nanea mai!
‘O ka Hihi Wale iho nō ke Kauno‘a
‘O ka hihi wale iho nō ke kauno‘a lā-ē, ‘A‘ohe ona kumu. The kauno‘a creeps along, Without trunk.
‘O ka hihi wale iho nō ke kauno‘a lā-ē, ‘A‘ohe ona kumu. The kauno‘a creeps along, Without trunk.
‘O Poneliwena Kamaha‘o
Kaulana kou inoa a‘o Poneliwena, ‘Āina kamaha‘o i ka‘u ‘ike. Celebrated is your name, Ponerihouen, You are a truly wondrous land to me.
Kaulana kou inoa a‘o Poneliwena, ‘Āina kamaha‘o i ka‘u ‘ike. Celebrated is your name, Ponerihouen, You are a truly wondrous land to me.
‘O Pololū i ka Mālie
Ua kau keha ‘o Pololū i ka mālie, Hi‘olanilua i ka la‘i a Ehu ka ipo lele. Pololū rests on a pillow in the calm, A double peace is the place of Ehu the fleeting companion.
Ua kau keha ‘o Pololū i ka mālie, Hi‘olanilua i ka la‘i a Ehu ka ipo lele. Pololū rests on a pillow in the calm, A double peace is the place of Ehu the fleeting companion.
Ēwelei‘ulaikalaniākea He Inoa
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ke kini a ke kēhau, I lulu‘u ihola i ke oho o ke pili. Where are you, O blanketing mist, That brings repose to the pili grass.
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ke kini a ke kēhau, I lulu‘u ihola i ke oho o ke pili. Where are you, O blanketing mist, That brings repose to the pili grass.
Ua Lei Mā‘ohu
‘Auhea ‘oe e ku‘u pili, ku‘u hoa i ka ua Līlīlehua, Kāhiko i ka lei mā‘ohu o ka līhau.
‘Auhea ‘oe e ku‘u pili, ku‘u hoa i ka ua Līlīlehua, Kāhiko i ka lei mā‘ohu o ka līhau.
Ka Ua o Nu‘uanu
Ka ua o Nu‘uanu, He kēhau i ka maka. The rain of Nu‘uanu, Brings mist to the eyes.
Ka ua o Nu‘uanu, He kēhau i ka maka. The rain of Nu‘uanu, Brings mist to the eyes.
Ka Ua Kanatī
Kaulana ē ka ua o ke Kanatī, Mai Noumea a i kai o Poneliwena. The fame of the Kanatī rain is known, From Noumea to the sea at Poneliwena.
Kaulana ē ka ua o ke Kanatī, Mai Noumea a i kai o Poneliwena. The fame of the Kanatī rain is known, From Noumea to the sea at Poneliwena.
Ka Pā‘ū o Hi‘iaka
Nani nō ho‘i ua wae ‘oe nou iho, I ke ala hele āu e naue aku ai. Because you have chosen for yourself, The path you will travel.
Nani nō ho‘i ua wae ‘oe nou iho, I ke ala hele āu e naue aku ai. Because you have chosen for yourself, The path you will travel.
Pua Naupaka
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ku‘u pua, Ku‘u pua naupaka o ke kuahiwi.
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ku‘u pua, Ku‘u pua naupaka o ke kuahiwi.
Pua Haua‘iliki
‘Auhea wale ana ‘oe, E ka pua haua‘iliki. Where are you, O ice flower of the bitter cold?
‘Auhea wale ana ‘oe, E ka pua haua‘iliki. Where are you, O ice flower of the bitter cold?
Po‘okela ka Pua Onaona
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ku‘u hoa pili, He kupa he ‘ōiwi no Kualapu‘u. Where are you my close companion, Native daughter of Kualapu‘u.
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ku‘u hoa pili, He kupa he ‘ōiwi no Kualapu‘u. Where are you my close companion, Native daughter of Kualapu‘u.
Ponokemi
Hū a‘ela ke aloha i Ponokemi, Kahi a ka hae Hawai‘i e welo ai. Love wells up at Poindimie, Where the Hawaiian flag is flying.
Hū a‘ela ke aloha i Ponokemi, Kahi a ka hae Hawai‘i e welo ai. Love wells up at Poindimie, Where the Hawaiian flag is flying.
Poneliwena
Kau aku ka mana‘o no Poneliwena, ʻĀina kāhela molale i ka la‘i. My thoughts rest at Ponerihouen, A land spread out, unobstructed in the calm.
Kau aku ka mana‘o no Poneliwena, ʻĀina kāhela molale i ka la‘i. My thoughts rest at Ponerihouen, A land spread out, unobstructed in the calm.
Pololū
E aha ‘ia ana ‘o Pololū, Ke kuahiwi ‘alo pū me ka wai lā‘au. What is going on with Pololū, Mountain ever moist with dew.
E aha ‘ia ana ‘o Pololū, Ke kuahiwi ‘alo pū me ka wai lā‘au. What is going on with Pololū, Mountain ever moist with dew.
Noe Wale mai ke Aloha
Noe wale mai ke aloha, I ka lehua o ʻAipō. Love settles gently, On the lehua of ʻAipō.
Noe wale mai ke aloha, I ka lehua o ʻAipō. Love settles gently, On the lehua of ʻAipō.
No Kauluwena O Ke Aloha
He mele he inoa no Kauluwena, Wahine heahea pu‘uwai aloha. This is a mele inoa for Kauluwena, A woman so warm and welcoming and full of love.
He mele he inoa no Kauluwena, Wahine heahea pu‘uwai aloha. This is a mele inoa for Kauluwena, A woman so warm and welcoming and full of love.
Nani Makapu‘u
Nani Makapu‘u ‘au ana i ke kai, Nānā i ka milo ‘ala o ‘Ihi‘ihilauākea. Impressive is Makapu‘u reaching out to the sea, Inspiring is the vision of milo clusters at ‘Ihi‘ihi.
Nani Makapu‘u ‘au ana i ke kai, Nānā i ka milo ‘ala o ‘Ihi‘ihilauākea. Impressive is Makapu‘u reaching out to the sea, Inspiring is the vision of milo clusters at ‘Ihi‘ihi.
Mānoa Wai Kamaha‘o
‘Akahi au a ‘ike i kou nani lā, ‘O Mānoa wai kamaha‘o lā. Never have I seen such beauty, Mānoa, of splendid waters.
‘Akahi au a ‘ike i kou nani lā, ‘O Mānoa wai kamaha‘o lā. Never have I seen such beauty, Mānoa, of splendid waters.
Mele Pua Panese
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ka pua Panese, E ka hau ‘ono hu‘i i ka mana‘o. Pay attention now O Panese blossom, Ever present in the sweet thought.
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e ka pua Panese, E ka hau ‘ono hu‘i i ka mana‘o. Pay attention now O Panese blossom, Ever present in the sweet thought.
Mele Ko‘u
Ua ho‘olā‘au i ko‘u ko‘i‘i, Kahi wai a‘o Kuauli. Endless is my love, For the liquid refreshment of Hawai‘i Kuauli.
Ua ho‘olā‘au i ko‘u ko‘i‘i, Kahi wai a‘o Kuauli. Endless is my love, For the liquid refreshment of Hawai‘i Kuauli.
Mele Ho‘okipa O‘ahu
E kipa mai i ka la‘i ‘olu o Hamohamo, I ke one kaulana o Kākuhihewa. We bid you welcome to the peaceful realm of Hamohamo, Upon the famed sands of Kākuhihewa, our royal ancestor.
E kipa mai i ka la‘i ‘olu o Hamohamo, I ke one kaulana o Kākuhihewa. We bid you welcome to the peaceful realm of Hamohamo, Upon the famed sands of Kākuhihewa, our royal ancestor.
Mekila e nā ‘Iwa e Kaka‘i Ana
Mekila e nā ʻiwa e kakaʻi ana, I ka māpumāpu iho i ka ʻiliwai. Handsome are the ʻiwa flying in formation, Swooping down to the water’s surface.
Mekila e nā ʻiwa e kakaʻi ana, I ka māpumāpu iho i ka ʻiliwai. Handsome are the ʻiwa flying in formation, Swooping down to the water’s surface.
Maika‘i ‘o Hā‘upu
Maikaʻi ʻo Hāʻupu mauna kilohana, Kohu ʻole me ke alo aʻo Vikolia. Hāʻupu is beautiful, the best of mountains, And bears no resemblance to Victoria’s Profile.
Maikaʻi ʻo Hāʻupu mauna kilohana, Kohu ʻole me ke alo aʻo Vikolia. Hāʻupu is beautiful, the best of mountains, And bears no resemblance to Victoria’s Profile.
Maika‘i O‘ahu a Lua
Maika‘i O‘ahu a Lua, ‘ala lua i ka poli, I ka lua a‘o Kapolei ua pipili noho pū kāua. Splendid is O‘ahu, daughter of Lua, doubled in fragrance, The wayfarers rest at Kapolei in the shade of the twin hills.
Maika‘i O‘ahu a Lua, ‘ala lua i ka poli, I ka lua a‘o Kapolei ua pipili noho pū kāua. Splendid is O‘ahu, daughter of Lua, doubled in fragrance, The wayfarers rest at Kapolei in the shade of the twin hills.
Ka Lehelehekii
Huai ka manao, Kaino paha a he kane keia.
Huai ka manao, Kaino paha a he kane keia.
Laua‘e o Nu‘uanu
Lauaʻe o Nuʻuanu koʻu hoʻohihi, Ke ʻala e moani i ke kualono. The lauaʻe of Nuʻuanu has caught my attention, Its fragrance perfumes the mountain ridge.
Lauaʻe o Nuʻuanu koʻu hoʻohihi, Ke ʻala e moani i ke kualono. The lauaʻe of Nuʻuanu has caught my attention, Its fragrance perfumes the mountain ridge.
Lau Kapalili
Ake aʻe ka manaʻo iā Maunawili, I ka holu lau kalo, lau kapalili. I yearn for Maunawili, The swaying kalo leaves, trembling leaves.
Ake aʻe ka manaʻo iā Maunawili, I ka holu lau kalo, lau kapalili. I yearn for Maunawili, The swaying kalo leaves, trembling leaves.
Ku‘u Moena Hīnalo
Ua hana a lawa, ku‘u moena hīnalo, Kaʻu e li‘a nei me ka maika‘i. Fashioned perfectly is this mat from hīnano bracts, That which I recall with fondness.
Ua hana a lawa, ku‘u moena hīnalo, Kaʻu e li‘a nei me ka maika‘i. Fashioned perfectly is this mat from hīnano bracts, That which I recall with fondness.
Ku‘u Lei Maile
Kuu lei maile i ka ua noe, Kuu wahine maka a ka maile. My maile wreath, My beloved of the sweet maile.
Kuu lei maile i ka ua noe, Kuu wahine maka a ka maile. My maile wreath, My beloved of the sweet maile.
Ku‘u Hae Hawai‘i ma Poindimie
Ua welo ku‘u hae Hawai‘i, Ma luna o ka honua o Kanaky ē. My Hawaiian flag fluttered, Above the earth of Kanaky.
Ua welo ku‘u hae Hawai‘i, Ma luna o ka honua o Kanaky ē. My Hawaiian flag fluttered, Above the earth of Kanaky.
Komo ka Wa‘a
A hua a pane, a pane mai, He pane ko onei, he hoolohe ko ona. The riddle has been asked, now for an answer, I here will answer, and you there will you listen.
A hua a pane, a pane mai, He pane ko onei, he hoolohe ko ona. The riddle has been asked, now for an answer, I here will answer, and you there will you listen.
Keoni Kō, Pala ka Mai‘a
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e kahi Ha‘awina, Kahi Mī Komana me kahi Polokika. A certain Mr. Ha‘awina, a Mr. Komana, And a Mr. Polokika should hearken here.
‘Auhea wale ‘oe e kahi Ha‘awina, Kahi Mī Komana me kahi Polokika. A certain Mr. Ha‘awina, a Mr. Komana, And a Mr. Polokika should hearken here.
Kekahao‘iolani
Aia i ka wehi o Nāpō‘opo‘o, Ka home wai‘olu a‘o ‘Iolani. There in the dark embrace of Nāpō‘opo‘o, Is the sanctuary of ‘Iolani.
Aia i ka wehi o Nāpō‘opo‘o, Ka home wai‘olu a‘o ‘Iolani. There in the dark embrace of Nāpō‘opo‘o, Is the sanctuary of ‘Iolani.
Kaulana ‘o Kaua‘i i ka Na‘i ‘ia ‘Ole
Maika‘i ‘o Kaua‘i hemolele i ka la‘i, A kaulana ho‘i i ka na‘i ‘ia ‘ole. How wonderful is Kaua‘i, so perfect in the calm, And how famous also for never having been conquered.
Maika‘i ‘o Kaua‘i hemolele i ka la‘i, A kaulana ho‘i i ka na‘i ‘ia ‘ole. How wonderful is Kaua‘i, so perfect in the calm, And how famous also for never having been conquered.
Ke Kaua Koa
Auhea wale ka pua lehua, Ke koa huahua o Kohalanui. Where is the lehua blossom, The prolific warrior of great Kohala.
Auhea wale ka pua lehua, Ke koa huahua o Kohalanui. Where is the lehua blossom, The prolific warrior of great Kohala.
Kalaoa
I ka nani o Kalaoa, poina ʻole, Ke anuanu hoʻi me ke kēhau. In the beauty of Kalaoa, unforgettable, The returning chill among the morning dew.
I ka nani o Kalaoa, poina ʻole, Ke anuanu hoʻi me ke kēhau. In the beauty of Kalaoa, unforgettable, The returning chill among the morning dew.
Ka Lei Lehua Aloha
Aia lā ma kula, Ku‘u pua, ‘o ka lehua. My flower, the lehua, is there at the plains.
Aia lā ma kula, Ku‘u pua, ‘o ka lehua. My flower, the lehua, is there at the plains.
Wahine Alo Ehuehu o Naihe
O Pauahi alii ka wahine e hui ai na moku, Wahine alo ehuehu o Naihe.
O Pauahi alii ka wahine e hui ai na moku, Wahine alo ehuehu o Naihe.
Pulupē Ka ‘Ili
A luna aʻe au ʻo Kōkeʻe, I ka ʻinikiniki a ke anu. In the uplands of Kōkeʻe, As the cold pinches and tingles.
A luna aʻe au ʻo Kōkeʻe, I ka ʻinikiniki a ke anu. In the uplands of Kōkeʻe, As the cold pinches and tingles.
Pauahilaninui
He inoa no ke aliʻi wahine, He inoa ʻihikapu nou e Pauahi. A name chant for the chiefess, A sacred and honored name for you, O Pauahi.
He inoa no ke aliʻi wahine, He inoa ʻihikapu nou e Pauahi. A name chant for the chiefess, A sacred and honored name for you, O Pauahi.
Nani Kailua
Nani Kailua i ka lā welawela, Kū mai ʻo Hualālai, a he malu.
Nani Kailua i ka lā welawela, Kū mai ʻo Hualālai, a he malu.
Ke Aloha ‘Ōlauniu
Kauaheahe ke aloha ʻŌlauniu, Ahe lau makani me ka lauaʻe ua noe.
Kauaheahe ke aloha ʻŌlauniu, Ahe lau makani me ka lauaʻe ua noe.
Ke Kapa Pua Memele
Nani wale i ke kapa pua memele, Heno, ka sweet wai ʻala i ka piko. Beautiful, indeed, is the kapa fashioned of ‘ilima blossoms, Alluring, delicate, sweet perfume in my heart.
Nani wale i ke kapa pua memele, Heno, ka sweet wai ʻala i ka piko. Beautiful, indeed, is the kapa fashioned of ‘ilima blossoms, Alluring, delicate, sweet perfume in my heart.
Kamaehuokalani he Inoa
Heahea nā wāhine o Kīlauea ē, I ka maka uʻi o ka pua māmane ē. The women of Kīlauea call out a greeting, To the lovely yellow blossoms of māmane.
Heahea nā wāhine o Kīlauea ē, I ka maka uʻi o ka pua māmane ē. The women of Kīlauea call out a greeting, To the lovely yellow blossoms of māmane.
Ike ia Nanahuki ke Haa La
Ike ia Nanahuki ke haa la, He olapa holo i ka iliili o Keaau. Known is Nanahuki of the dance, Which moves about the iliili at Keaau.
Ike ia Nanahuki ke haa la, He olapa holo i ka iliili o Keaau. Known is Nanahuki of the dance, Which moves about the iliili at Keaau.
A Keālia
A Keālia aku nei au lā, I ka pua ʻana mai a ka Hau.
A Keālia aku nei au lā, I ka pua ʻana mai a ka Hau.