Honolulu Harbor - by Mary Pula`a Robins

 

Kaulana mai nei o Honolulu Harbor
`O ka ipu kukui mâlamalama

He nani no `oe ua ikeia
A pa manu e pôhai nei

Kû mai o Robins me ka hiehie
He ui ninau ia Henry Aa

E `uleu kaua a e pono ai
I loa`a ka makani ma i luna mai

Ho`ike piha `oe i kou ike
Noia nowelo a ike okamai

O ka paia keleawe o hulali ana
`O pu`u kaimana `alohilohi

Ua hana noeau ia e Palani
Ke pipi`o nei e ke anuenue

O ka pipi`o no ia Honolulu Harbor
A welo e ka hae helu ekahi

Lohe aku Kaleponi he `âina nani
Ua kau ka hôkû i waenakonu

O ka piue kohu ana ko umauma
E owaka e ika naula i Kilauea

Ka moena weleweka ka moena `ia
O pu`u kaimana kau umauma
*(Ke `ala laua`e e moani nei)

Imua kaua a lanakila
Ke Akua mau loa kou kokua

Hea aku au e ô mai `oe
E ô e Robins i kou inoa

*Hô`ike a`e `oe a i kou nani
I ka mâlamalama `oi kelakela

*Ha`ina `ia mai `ana ka puana
O ka ipu kukui mâlamalama


Famous is Honolulu Harbor
The shining beacon
You see the beauty
Surrounded by sounds of the birds










The metal walls reflect
A mound of diamond splendor







California, a beautiful land, heeds
The star fixed in the center
 



Velvet mat is the carpet
One great mound of diamond
**(The fragrance of lauae is borne)
Forward to our destination
With the help of God

When I call, you answer
Robins, answer to your name

Show your beauty
The far-reaching light

The story is told
Of the shining beacon


Source:This mele appeared in Nupepa Kuokoa, June, 1919, under the title: He Hula E.E. Robins - Hakuia , Mrs. Mary Robins. Recorded by Kawai Cockett Beautiful Kauai Album, Translation by Kini Sullivan

*These verses and alternate stanza, do not appear in the original publication, but are commonly sung today