Kuʻu Aloha Nui - Val Kepilino

Aloha wau iā ʻoe
Ka mea nui i kuʻu manaʻo
Lohe ana wau i kou hāmau leo
Auhea `oe ka mea i aloha

Hauʻoli ʻole kuʻu kino
Kou wā i hele i`ai mai iaʻu
Hâʻawi wau i kuʻu aloha
ʻO ʻoe i kahi mea nui

Kaumaha kuʻu puʻuwai
Me kuʻu mau wai maka
Haʻina kēia mele
E kuʻu aloha e Māmā

My heart is yearning sadly
For the only one in my mind
My ears long to hear your voice
Oh, where can my love be

Life has become so miserable
Since you've gone away from me
I've given you all that's within me
For you're the one that matters

My heart is heavy
As my eyes are with tears
So I'll end this song of you
My only love, my only mother

Source: Aarona-Kepilino Collection - This kanikau (dirge) written for the composer's mother is not suitable for hula. Recorded by Peter Ahia "Talena" album, the composer's nephew. Translation by Val Kepilino. C Aug 14, 1978 V. Kepilino Original handwritten manuscript by Val Kepilino