Nā Mele
[songs and Chants]
As Hiʻiaka enters Kahuku she offers a very specific oli in order to gain permission to enter and acceptance of the people who live there. The oli entitled, He Kau Hula or He Pule No Hiʻiaka is the chant she offers upon her entrance.[1]
[1] Kuluwaimaka, Mele Book, Bishop Museum Archives, Call Number BMHI.M.51.BK 2. See Appendix A.11 for original document. |
He Kau Hula/He Pule No Hiʻiaka
Komo i ka nahele ulu hinano e
Nahele hala makai o poʻo Kahuku e
Heaha la ka uka, ka hala i kapu ai ka leo
I hookuli ai oe i ka u(w)alo a
E u(w)alo aku ana au
Maloko mai oe a….[1]
A translation of this oli is as follows:
Upon entering the grove of male pandanus trees,
The pandanus grove seaward of the base or beginning of Kahuku,
Where in the upland is the blessed pandanus alter?
You who is deaf to the call for help,
I will call out again,
To you who is in there.[2]
[1] Kuluwaimaka, Mele Manuscript Collection, Bishop Museum Archives, Call Number BMHI.M.51.BK1.
[2] Kuluwaimaka, Mele Manuscript Collection, Bishop Museum Archives, Call Number BMHI.M.51.BK1.
Komo i ka nahele ulu hinano e
Nahele hala makai o poʻo Kahuku e
Heaha la ka uka, ka hala i kapu ai ka leo
I hookuli ai oe i ka u(w)alo a
E u(w)alo aku ana au
Maloko mai oe a….[1]
A translation of this oli is as follows:
Upon entering the grove of male pandanus trees,
The pandanus grove seaward of the base or beginning of Kahuku,
Where in the upland is the blessed pandanus alter?
You who is deaf to the call for help,
I will call out again,
To you who is in there.[2]
[1] Kuluwaimaka, Mele Manuscript Collection, Bishop Museum Archives, Call Number BMHI.M.51.BK1.
[2] Kuluwaimaka, Mele Manuscript Collection, Bishop Museum Archives, Call Number BMHI.M.51.BK1.
Ponaha Ka Manu I Luna
Ponaha ka manu i luna; The birds circle above;
I ka lewa nuu, lewa lani, In the skies so high,
I ka lewa nuu a Kane, In the sky of Kāne
O Kane, Kanaloa a me Ku, Of Kāne, Kanaloa and Kū,
A o ia nei la ke aliʻi. Lo! Here is our chief.[1]
[1] George Pooloa, “Na Pana Kaulana o na Inoa o ka Mokupuni o Oahu”, Ke Aloha ʻĀina, Feburary 28, 1919.
Ponaha ka manu i luna; The birds circle above;
I ka lewa nuu, lewa lani, In the skies so high,
I ka lewa nuu a Kane, In the sky of Kāne
O Kane, Kanaloa a me Ku, Of Kāne, Kanaloa and Kū,
A o ia nei la ke aliʻi. Lo! Here is our chief.[1]
[1] George Pooloa, “Na Pana Kaulana o na Inoa o ka Mokupuni o Oahu”, Ke Aloha ʻĀina, Feburary 28, 1919.
Some mele spoke of the lands that you are from. The mele entitled, Aloha Ka Uka I Ke Onaona, is one example of this. A woman visiting the Waipahu area chanted this particular mele about her home in Kahuku. It is said that she accompanied this mele with the playing of a nose flute.
Document original can be seen at the Bishop Museum. |
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