Ka Hanu O Hanakeoki (The Scent of Hanakeoki) - Queen Liliʻuokalani

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Nani wale ka hiʻona o ka manu lā
ʻO ka ʻiʻiwi maka onaona pōlena lā
Noho i ka malu lāʻau lā
Ulunahele pō i ka lehua lā

Hui:
Ilihia wau i ke ʻala lā
O ka hanu o Hanakeoki lā
Punihei ka manaʻo hoʻohihi lā
Hanu ʻaʻala o Hanakeoki

Alia ʻoe e ka ʻamakihi lā
Manu puapua lenalena lā
E ālai nei i ka wai lā
Wai hālukuluku i ka pali lā

E inu aku wau i kena lā
I ka wai lehua a ka manu lā
Hō iho kāua ʻeloʻelo lā
A hoʻi a e hoʻolaʻilaʻi lā

The features of the bird are so beautiful
The sweet-eyed ʻiʻiwi pōlena
Dwelling in the shade of the forest
Forest overshadowed with lehua flowers

Chorus:
I am overwhelmed with the fragrance
The scent of Hanakeoki
My thoughts are engulfed
By the sweet scent of Hanakeoki

Wait ʻamakihi
Yellow-tailed bird
Obstructing the water
Water rushing noisily upon the cliff

I want to drink the water to quench my thirst
On the bird’s lehua nectar
Let’s you and I indulge and be drenched
Then return to find contentment


Source: The Queen’s Songbook - Translated by Hui Hānai - Composed in 1874, this may allude to property the Queen owned in Pālolo Valley. Music clip by Kuaana