Hokule`a Hula - by Carlos Andrade
Outbound to Tongatapu, Aotearoa, good bye Leaving on the southwest wind, Hokule`a spread your wings and fly. Ancient Polynesian pathways Carry us home again Sail on and on and on 'Till the journey's end. Hui: Follow the stars at night High in the southern sky Ke-Ali`i-o-Kona-i-ka-Lewa Into the night while Orion dies Southern Cross spinning slowly Aroha nui, goodbye Auwe Hokule`a, te vahine o ke kai. Auwe, Auwe Auwe Hokule`a, te vahine o ke kai. Sail at night for Ha`apai, Nukualofa goodbye Through the reefs, the shoals, the islands Fangatua to lead us with your eyes Await the wind, Pangai, Lifuka Into Vava`u at night Sail on and on and on 'Till the morning light. Matangi, Tonga to Samoa, Neiafu good-bye The wind's blowin', there's no stars showin' Nainoa's navigating, hold on tight. Raise the island Tutuila Pago Pago's in sight Sail on and on and on Like a bird in flight. Ha`ina mai ka puana; So the story is told Hokule`a sails the ocean highways With the family both young and old. Aotearoa, Tongatapu And now Samoa have passed. Sail on and on and on 'Till Hawai`i at last
Source: Carlos Andrade - Chorus, stanza 3, Ke-Ali`i-o-Kona-i-ka-Lewa is the Hawaiian name of the star Canopus. Stanza 6 - Aroha is the (New Zealand) Maori word that celebrated the Hokule`a crew's stay at New Zealand prior to sailing on to Tonga and Samoa. Verse 2, stanza 4 - Fangatua is the Tongan navigator who piloted the Hokule`a through the Tongan archipelago. Verse 3, stanza 1 - Matangi (Hawaiian word is makani, Samoan word is matagi) Matagi Tonga is the south wind that blew Hokule`a north to Samoa from Neiafu, the area in Vava`u where the Hokule`a anchored while waiting for the right wind conditions to complete the leg to Samoa. Verse 4, stanza 5 - Tongatapu is the capitol island of the Tongan nation.