Ohelo - Hula Pahu
Tu owe tu`u vahi ohelo nei lae
Naue e, naue e naue e
 
 
Maka'u vau i ka mea nui lae
Vali, vali, vali vali, valivali e
 
 
Kio lele, kio lele, kio lele la
Kio lele, kio lele, kio lele la
 
 
Punoho i ka la`i a o Kona e Kona lae
Kona e, Kona la, Kona e
 
 
Ke oe nei i ka ipo ula lae
Ke hoi la e hoi nei hoi e
 
 
Tu owe tu`u vahi ohelo nei lae
Naue e, naue e naue e
 
Kahea: Tu
 
You are pierced by my ramrod here
Moving, moving, moving
 
 
I am afraid of that big object
Tender, tender, tender, tender
 
 
Spread to act, spread to act, spread to act
Spread to act, spread to act, spread to act
 
 
A billowing in the calm of Kona
Kona here, Kona there, Kona everywhere
 
 
The red berry is pierced
Felt over here, there, everywhere
 
 
You are pierced by my ramrod here
Moving, moving, moving
 
*Kahea
 
Source: Hiona Collection Performed at Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1939, and House In The Garden, 1946, this dance is for the ohelo berry, named after Kaohelo, younger sister of Pele. There are two varieties, a bush and creeping vine with red and yellow berries. The bush is the swaying body of Kaohelo and the vine, her graceful legs and feet. This may also be a fertility dance.
Ohelo Berries


Tom Kaulaheaonamoku Hiona, 1946