N I I H A U - Mountain Apple

NANI NIIHAU
Na David Wai l iula, Kuana Torres Kahele
Ua nani Niihau kuu aina
Splendid is Niihau my home
Ailana i ka welona a ka la
Island of the setting sun
LEI ANA NIIHAU
Na Kuana Torres Kahele
La 1 o Ianuali 2014
Auhea wale oe e kuu lei pupu
Na kala hulu oi loa o ka aina
Kaulana wale hoi e kuu lei momi
He momi ui i ke kaila ao pikake
Where are you my lei pupu?
And the precious colors of the land
Famous indeed is my lei Momi
So beautiful in the pikake style
Auhea wale oe e kuu lei Kipona
He pilina wehena ole kipona aloha
Kaulana wale hoi e kuu lei Kahelelani
Na kala pili ano o ke anuenue
Where are you my lei Kipona?
An inseverable union of deep love
Famous indeed is my lei Kahelelani
(With) colors that resemble the rainbow
Auhea wale oe e kuu lei waha nui
Ua komo ia i ka muumuu waha nui
Kaulana wale hoi e kuu lei laiki
He laiki punahele a na kupuna
Where are you my lei Waha Nui?
Worn at the neck of the dress
Famous indeed is my lei Laiki
Indeed a favorite of the elders
Auhea wale oe e kuu lei Paalima
Elua maua paa lima me ke aloha
Kaulana wale hoi e kuu lei Alilea
Hui ia mau la me ka Poleho
Where are you my lei Paalima?
We two, hand in hand with love
Famous indeed is my lei Alilea
Forever joined with Poleho
Auhea wale oe e kuu lei Kamoa
Ua kui ia i ta lei nani Halili
Haina ia mai ana ka puana
Lei ana Niihau i ka lei pupu
Where are you my lei Kamoa?
Strung into the beautiful lei Halili
Told is the refrain
Niihau wears the lei pupu
NIIHAU O KAEOKULANI
Na Malia Craver, Lolena Nicholas
Kaua i ka nani o Niihau
Ka mokupuni kaulana o Kahelelani
Tis you and I in the splendor of Niihau
The famed isle of Kahelelani
Hoohihi no oe ke ike aku
Na pua wiliwili me na pupu
How delightful you are to see
The wiliwili blossoms and the shells in lovely array
He leo heahea ko na kupa
Na mamo aloha o Kaeokulani
Aole no maua e poina ana
Ka hookipa maikai a na ohana
The islanders have a voice that calls out
Oh descendants of Chief Kaeokulani
cv
We shall not forget
The wonderful welcome of the families
Haina keia mele me ke aloha
No Niihau mokupuni o Kahelelani
Sing now of this song with love,
For Niihau island of the Chief Kahelelani
Composed by Malia Craver during her visit to Niihau with Keuwao and Hannah Niau. The
melody to this song was set by Niau’s daughter, Lolena Nicholas. The mele pays tribute to the
land, the hospitality, and honors the families on Niihau, all decendants of Kaeokulani.
This mele was written as a mele hoohanohano. Honoring of all of the
different styles of lei made by the ohana from Niihau.
LEHUA UILA
Let us take a jaunt on the Lehua
With the cresting waves of the sea behind us
I ka nou a ka makani ma mua mai
Me ka piha ohua no Kauai
In the gusts of wind that lie ahead of us
Along with all of the passengers from Kauai
I na hora liula o ke ahiahi
Kaalo ma waho o Kaholaloa
In the glimmering essence of evening
Kaholaloa now fades in the distance
I ke kilihune ia e ka ua noe
Kohu ipo manuahi i ou papalina
Sprayed were we by the light misty rains
Caressing my cheeks like a newfound sweetheart
He aha keia e apa mai nei
I nei moana nui kai akea
For what reason do we tarry here
Upon this great ocean, the vast expanse of sea
A lohe ia e ka leo o ka wiliki
Aohe holo ao na mikini
Ah, the voice of the engineer is heard
The engines are no longer running
Kau aku ka manao i ka Makualani
Pailaka o na ale o Kaulakahi
Akahi a lana mai ka manao
Pili ana i ka uapo me kuu aloha
E ola no wau i kuu Hakulani
Me ou mau hoa o Kalawelo
Haina ka puana no Lehua Uila
Eueu o ke kai o Kaulakahi
Our thoughts remain with our Heavenly Father
To pilot our journey over the billows of Kaulakahi
channel
Where the sun rises in the East
Glistening in the Naulu rain clouds
Na ulu kaulana i ka hapapa
Hoipo mau ana me ke aloha
Behold the famed breadfruit growing in the reef alcove
Enjoined always, entwined together forever
He aloha na ko o Halalii
Ani peahi ana i ka Unulau
I cherish the hidden sugarcane of Halal i i
Waving gently in the breeze of the Unulau
Aia i Niihau kuu pawehe
Ka moena i pahee a i kuu ili
There at Niihau is my patterned mat
The mat that is smooth upon my skin
Na makani kaulana o ka aina
Na ka mikioi ai hiipoi mai
Oh how famous are the winds of the land
For it was the Mikioi gusts that embraced me
Hana noeau a ka mikioi
Ka makani nowelo piko o Lehua
Skillfully fashioned by the Mikioi,
The wisdom-seekingwind from the pinnacle of Lehua
Mai noho mai oe a hoopoina
Na pana kaulana o ka aina
Let not be forgotten
These famous, cherished places of the land
Aina nani oe o ka Pakipika
He momi no na Kai Ewalu
You are the exquisite beauty of the Pacific
A pearl of the 8 seas
Elua maua me ke ala
Me ka ulu hua noho i ka hapapa
Just the two of us were with such sweetness
With the breadfruit that bears fruit upon the flats
Ua ike na lani mai luna mai
O ka Mana Kahikolu pu me au
The heavens grant us their gaze
The strength and resolve in faith is steadfast with me
Kau aku ka maka e ike maka
I ke ko eli lima o Halalii
Thoughts are now wanting to see in person
The sugar cane that is pulled up by hand at Halalai
Ola ai Niihau a mau loa
I ke kila o ke ao malamalama
Dwelling always at Niihau
Aloft in the bright shining clouds
Ailana o Kaula home o na manu
A ka Naulu e hooipo nei
Kaula islet is home to many birds
That the sudden showers woo
Haina ia mai ana ka puana
Ua nani Niihau kuu aina
Sung now is my song
Radiant is Niihau my land
Haina ia mai ana ka puana
Aia i Niihau kuu pawehe
The story is now told
There at Niihau is my patterned mat
Written by David Wailiula, a mele hoohanohano that pays honor and tribute to the land of his
birth. This ten verse song lovingly depicts places, winds and rains of his beloved island home. For
the purpose of hula auana, the song was shortened. The full version is recorded as a hula kahiko.
VOL. 3 MAUI
COMING SPRING 2015
Hanohano Kaeo i kau ike
Kilakila i ka nani o ka aina
Distinguished to behold is Kaeo
The beauty of the land in grandeur
Aina Niihau i ka la welo
Hooheno ia nei e ka Naulu
Behold Niihau in the setting sun
Cherished by the Naulu rains
Ulu ae ka manao me ka makemake
E ike i ka nani o ke ko eli
Thoughts and desire well within
To behold the hidden sugar cane
E hooipo ala me ka pueone
I ke kula laula o Halalii
That secludedly nestles in the sand dune
On the broad plains of Halalii
He alii e ka manu kau mai luna
Noho i ka malu ulu i ka hapapa
The chiefly one alights above
And comes to rest in the shelter of the famed breadfruit
growing on the reef flat
Kaunuokala kau aloha
Haaheo i ka luna o Kawaihoa
E hea aku au o mai oe
kau ka iwa au i ka malie
Haina ia mai ana ka puana
Ua nani Kaeo ae ku nei
I remain evermore here with my Lord savior
With my companions of Kalawelo (of Lehua isle)
My love at Kaunuokala
The pride upon the cliffs of Kawaiahoa
I call out to you, answer my love
Ever handsome, a beauty to behold
The refrain of my song is sung
Kaeo remains in beauty and dignity always
Written by Emily Wailiula, wife of David Wailiula, also a renowned Niihau composer. I had the
honor of setting the melody to this mele. In the song, Emily expresses her affection for the many
sacred places that lay within the Forbidden Isle of Niihau. The full version contains eighteen
verses, some of which were omitted for the mele version. The story, in its entirety, was kept intact
for the oli (chant) recording.
Tell now the story of the Lehua Uila
The spirited one of the sea of Kaulakahi
Lyrics originally written by Emily Wailiula were left without music. After reading her poetry, I
added music to this beautiful mele. The song speaks for a ship known to the people of Niihau
as, Lehua Uila. It was the first ship used to transport the residents of Niihau to and from Kauai.
The current ship is the Noio.
Shells of Kahelelani
Glisten in the sun
The very best
Of the island of Niihau
Ailana ka manao nou
Ka momi o kai malino
E lei no au i ko aloha
No na kau a kau
Thoughts of affection are for you
Momi of the calm seas
I will wear your love as a garland
From season to season
Kau aku ka manao no
Ka beauty o ka la welo
Aia i moku Lehua
Ka momi o ka Pakipika
The setting of the sun
Is always in thought
There at Lehua,
The pearl of the Pacific
Ua pena ia mai i ka la
Ka paekii o ke ao
E pili ano ka nani
O kuu lei Kahelelani
The cloudbanks
Are painted by the sun
Resembling the beauty
Of my lei Kahelelani
Puana nei ka haina
O kuu lei hiwahiwa
Ka pookela wale no
O Niihau ailana
Tel l the refrain:
For my precious garland
The very best
Of the island of Niihau
A mele hoohanohano written out of affection for the island. The songs celebrates both the
visible and hidden treasures of Niihau, truly a beauty to behold.
Lyrics courtesy of Kimo Alama Keaulana who attributes the words to a kahiko chant. He learned
of the melody from Muriel Lupenui whose pairing I perform on this recording. The song speaks of
the moena pawehe, a woven mat made by the Niihauans from makaloa fiber.
POLEOONALANI
Na Kuana Torres Kahele
La 19 O Malaki 2014
He aloha kuu lei pupu la
Kuu lei poleho o na lani la
A pili paa oe i loko o tuu puuwai
My affection is for my lei pupu
My lei poleho of the heavens
You firmly remain in my heart
Onaona wale i tuu mata la
I ka nani a o ia lei la
Tui ia i ka lei kukaulani hiehie
My eyes allure
To the beauty of this lei
Strung with care in to an attractive lei
Mahalo ke Akua mana loa la
No na ui o keia aina la
He lei nene hiwa na ka poe o Kahelelani
(We) thank the almighty
For the many beauties of this land
(And for this) lei, prized by the people of Kahelelani
Haina ia mai ka puana la
O kuu lei ao Niihau la
Aloha i kuu lei, kuu lei poleho o na lani
Told is the refrain
For my garland of Niihau
My affection is for my lei, poleho of the heavens
A beautiful lei pupu that doesn’t receive enough recognition. I was compelled to write a song for
its beauty as it is one of my favorite lei pupu. I was first introduced the the Lei Poleho by my hanai
Mom, Ane Kelley Kanahele.
WAIAKANAIO
KA POOKELA AO NIIIHAU
Pupu o Kahelelani
E hulali nei i ka la
Ka pookela wale no
O Niihau ailana
Traditional
Na Emily Huluaulani Wailiula, Kuana Torres Kahele
Behold, my thoughts so preoccupied
Fixated on days at the wharf with my beloved
Na Kuana Torres Kahele
La 2 O Pepeluali 2012
AIA I NIIHAU KUU PAWEHE
KAEO HULA
Emily Huluaulani Wailiula, Kuana Torres Kahele
Kaua i ka holo la o Lehua
Ka pipii a ke kai ma hope pono
Ka la kau mai ma ka hikina
Olino ana i ke ao Naulu
KUANA TORRES KAHELE
KAHELELANI
Na David Waili‘ula, George Huddy
KA MAKUALANI
Na Ane Kelley Kanahele
MUSIC FOR THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Behold Waiakanaio set majestically up above
In sweet fragrance of the uplands
Uluwehi ia uka la i ka nani
Me ka wai mapuna hone i ka ili
Lush and verdant in beauty are these uplands
With the bubbling waters that caress the skin
Ka wai kaulana ao ia uka
Hoopulu i ka ili o ke kamaaina
Oh so well-known are the waters of these places
For quenching the skin of those familiar here
He kamaaina au no Kahelelani
He kupa no Kalawelo i Lehua
I am a native of Kahelelani (of Niihau)
But have come to know Kalawelo at Lehua well
O ka Makualani kou alakai
A nana e kiai me ke aloha
Heavenly Father is my guide
He guards me with his grace
Aloha kuu lei o Kahelelani
Kuu lei e kaulana nei
Beloved indeed is my garland of Kahelelani
My precious adornment ever so renowned
Ua hana ia oe me ke aloha
I lei hoohihi no kuu kino
Fashioned indeed you were with love
To be a splendid delight for me to wear
He ui mai oe no ke kai one
He ui kaulana a puni ka honua
You are a beauty from the sands of the sea
A prime beauty famed throughout the lands
A o Kahainu no kau i aloha
Ka home i ka wehi ao ke kiawe
Kahainu (To give a drink of water) is my beloved
residence. My home nestled in the kiawe trees
Haina ia mai ana ka puana
Kuu lei pupu e kaulana nei
Behold the refrain of my song
For my adornment of shells ever so famous
Puana ae au i na Manalani
Nana i kiai me ke aloha
I sing a song of praise for my higher power
That which guards and guides me with love
Haina ia mai ana ka puana
Eono no pua lawa kuu lei
Ah, to hear the story told again
Of this story in the verses of my song
Haina hou ia mai ana ka puana
Ka ohu o ka uka o Waiakanaio
And let it be sung once more
The song for the mists of the uplands of Waiakanaio
Written by Mama Ane Kanahele, Niihau’s eldest living lei maker and award winning
composer. In this touching composition, she sings the praises of both the Lei Pupu and of
our Heavenly Father for his strength and wisdom.
N I I H A U
Kilakila Waiakanaio kau mai luna
Me sweet onaona ao ia uka
Composed by David Wailiula, this mele was gifted to George Huddy who put the melody to this
composition. Huddy published the song which was later made popular by the Hui Ohana among others.
In all commercial recordings of this song, verses are omitted, leaving the song incomplete. I felt it was
important to honor Wailiula’s work and record the complete version of the song. Waiakanaio is a pali
kiekie (tall cliff) just above Pali Poleho on the island of Niihau.