E Nihi Ka Hele - by King David Kalākaua

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E ka moana nui kai hohonu
E lana mālie kou mau ʻale
E ka makani nui ikaika
E pā aheahe mālie ʻoe

Hui:
E nihi ka hele, mai hoʻopā
Mai pūlale i ka ʻike a ka maka
Hoʻokahi nō makamaka ʻo ke aloha
A hea mai ʻo ka lani a e kipa

ʻIke iā Kaleponi he ʻāina anu
Ke hau hoʻokuakea i ka ʻili
Lamalama i ka ʻili o ke kama
Ka wahine i ka ʻiu o luna

E hele me ka poina ʻole
E huli ē ke alo i hope nei
Eia kō lei kalaunu
O ka ʻōnohi o Hawaiʻi


Great ocean, deep sea
Let your stirring moods be gentle
Great and mighty wind
Blow gently

Chorus:
Tread softly, don't touch
Don't be overwhelmed by what you see
True friendship is love
When royalty calls one to visit

California, see, it is a cold land
Snow that bleaches the skin
Glowing skin of the Princess
Lady of high station

Go and do not forget
To come back again
Here is your crown lei
Hawaiʻi is the heart

Source: In 1887, Queen Kapiʻolani visited California on her way to England to attend the Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The title, taken from the legend of Pele and Hiʻiaka, "e nihi ka hele mai hoʻolawehala " translates: walk softly and commit no offense. Hiʻiaka warns of the dangerous trip thru the forest of Panaʻewa and says "E nihi ka hele i uka o Puna mai ʻako i ka pua o lilo i ke ala o ka hewahewa" or "be cautious in the forests of Puna, do not pluck the flowers, lest you be lost in the pathways of errors". This song composed by King David Kalākaua for his Queen, is an expression of his love for her, a prayer for calm seas, an admonition to be cautious and careful in the cold of California, and a remembrance of his love, her duty as Queen, their nation and home. Translated by Henry Kaalakahi, Music clip by Kuaʻana, Hawaiian Text edited by Puakea Nogelmeier