`Âlika (Arctic) - Words & music by Charles Ka`apa

 

Aia i `Âlika
Ka ihu o ka moku
Ua hao o pa`ihi
Nâ pe`a i ka makani

Ke liolio nei
Ke kaula likini
`Alu`alu `ole iho
Nâ pe`a i ka makani

`A`ole i kau pono
Ka newa i ka piko
Ka`a `ê ka huila
E niniu i ka makani

Ke kau a`e nei
Ka ihu `o Macao
Ke iho a`e nei
E komo `Asia

Me ke kai Melemele
Ke kôwâ o Pilina
Nani wale ka `ikena
Nâ pua i Sarona

I noho ka ihu
I ka piko i Hîmela
Ka hale lau pâma
Ho`omaha i ke kula

Ha`ina `ia mai
Ana ka puana
Aia i `Âlika
Ka ihu o ka moku

 

There in the Arctic
The prow of the ship
Set firmly
Sails in the wind

Taut
Rigging lines
Not slack
Sails in the wind

Not fixed
The needle in the north
The wheel turns
Spinning in the wind

Placed
The prow of the Macao
Down
To go to Asia

The Yellow Sea
Bering Straits
A lovely view
Flowers of Sharon

The prow sets
Towards the Himalaya summit
A palm leafed house
For rest on the plains

Tell
The refrain
There in the Arctic
The prow of the ship

 

Source: Na Mele` o Hawai`'i Nei by Elbert & Mahoe - Sam Kamakau records the ship Arctic as landing in Kaua`i between 1787 and 1792. This song with place names has risque kaona (double meaning or veiled language in Hawaiian poetry).