Hi`ilawe - Sam Li`a Kalainaina, Sr

Source: Sonny Cunha's Music Book - Copyright 1902 William Coney - First published under the title Halialaulani (Fond Recollections of the Chiefs) by Mrs. Kuakini, it is also credited to Martha K. Maui under the title of Ke Aloha Poina `Ole (Unforgettable Love), but was written by Sam Li`a Kalainaina, Sr. This mele is about a love affair at Hi`ilawe (highest waterfall in Hawai`i) and Waio`ulu, two waterfalls in Waipi`o Valley on the Big Island. The girl, from Puna, describes herself poetically as the fragrance from Puna. Distressed by the gossip mongers, she calls them chattering birds. Mist of the mountains in the 3rd verse is the poetic way of saying this is a secret love affair. Lâlâkea and Hakalaoa are streams at the top of Waip`io Valley that flow over the cliff forming the twin waterfalls of Hi`ilawe and Hakalaoa. They merge into the Hi`ilawe stream that is one of two main waterways in Waip`io Valley.

Kûmaka ka `ikena iâ Hi`ilawe. Ka papa lohi mai a`o Maukele

All eyes are on Hi`ilawe. In the sparkling lowlands of Maukele

Pakele mai au i ka nui manu. Hau wala`au nei puni Waipi`o

I have not been trapped by the gossip. Chattering everywhere in Waipi`o

`A`ole nô wau e loa`a mai. A he uhiwai au no ke kuahiwi

I am not caught. For I am the mist of the mountains

He hiwahiwa au na ka makua. A he lei `â`î na ke kupuna

(A he milimili ho`i na ka makua)

I am the darling of the parents. And a lei for the necks of grandparents

(Beloved of my parents)

No Puna ke `ala i hali `ia mai. Noho i ka wailele a`o Hi`ilawe

The fragrance is wafted from Puna. And lives at Hi`ilawe waterfall

I ka poli nô au o Ha`i wahine. I ka poli aloha o Ha`inakolo

I was at the bosom of Ha`i, the woman. At the beloved bosom of Ha`inakolo

Ho`okolo `ia aku i ka nui manu. I like ke ka`ina meka uahoa

Annoyed at the many birds. They were indifferent to the distress they caused

He hoa `oe no ka lâ le`ale`a. Na ka nui manu iho haunaele

You are my companion in the day of joy. The many birds there caused a commotion

E `ole ko`u nui piha akamai. Hala a`e nâ `ale o ka moana

It is my great skill. The waves of the ocean overwhelm us

Hao mai ka moana kau e ka weli. Mea `ole na`e ia no ia ho`okele

The ocean rages fearfully. But my steering is skillfull

Ho`okele o `uleu pili i ka uapo. Honi malihini au me ku`u aloha

Hurry, let us go close to the wharf. I am your new love to be kissed

He aloha ia pua ua lei `ia. Ku`u pua miulana poina `ole

My flower, my lei, my love for you. Is unforgettable like the muilan flower

Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana. Kûmaka ka `ikena iâ Hi`ilawe

(No Puna ke `ala i hali `ia mai)

Tell the refrain. All eyes are on Hi`ilawe

(The fragrance is wafted from Puna)