E Ku`u Tûtû (My Grandmother) - by Mary Pukui & Maddy Lam


Aloha au i ku`u tûtû la
I ka nui loko maika`i
E lohe mau ia ana la
Kona leo heahea

`O ka holokû kalakoa la
Ka mu`umu`u lima nui
Ka haina kâ lei kilika la
`O kona wehi mau ia

`O ka humu kapa pohopoho la
Ka `ulana me ka pâpale
`O ke kui lei pua `ala lâ
A `oia kona makemake

Aia ma kona lumi la
He noho paipai nui
He mea ho`oluliluli la
I kâna lei mo`opuna

Ha`ina mai ka puana la
O ku`u tûtû aloha
E lohe mau ia ana la
Kona leo heahea


Mary Pukui
I love my grandma
For her great kindness
She is always heard
Welcoming everyone

A calico holokû
A wide sleeved mu`umu`u
A silk neckerchief
These she usually wears

Sewing on a patchwork quilt
Weaving a hat
Stringing leis of fragrant flowers
These things she likes to do

Inside her room
Is a big rocking chair
In which she cradles
Her beloved grandchild

So ends my song
Of my dear grandma
Who is always heard
Welcoming everyone

Source: Nâ Mele o Hawai`i Nei. Translated by Mary Pukui. Copyright 1955 Criterion Music Corp