Kaulana Moloka`i
Moloka`i nui a Hina lae
Me ka ulu kukui
A`o Lanikaula lae e
Eia Kalama`ula
Me köna ulu niu lae
`Äina kaulana
I ka ho`opulapula lae e
Ha`ina ka inoa
Moloka`i nui a Hina lae
Me ka ulu kukui
A`o Lanikâula lae e | Famous is Moloka`i
Great Moloka`i, child of Hina,
tra la la
With the protective kukui
grove
Of Lanikaula, tra la la
- Here is Kalama`ula
- With its coconut grove, tra la
la
- Famous land
- Of homesteads, tra la la
-
- Tell the name
- Great Moloka`i, child of Hina,
tra la la
- With the protective kukui
grove
- Of Lanikâula, tra la la
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Kupuna Papa John Flores
| Source: Nick Ronolo, Recorded by Mana`o Company
- Moloka`i was the great religious training center of old Hawai`i.
Lanikaula was the most powerful and famous prophet of his time.
His impending death was announced by a great bonfire on Lana`i
and constant drumming throughout the archipelago. Kahunas gathered
on every island and set sail for Moloka'i to possess his great
mana by stealing his body. Lanikaula asked his three sons where
they would hide his body. The hiapo, a great hunter, promised to
take his remains to the highest mountain and bury it deep in a
secret cave. The second son, a great fisherman, would take it to
the depths of the ocean and hide it in an underground cavern. The
youngest ïhepa son wanted to bury Lanikaula in a point on
the east end of Moloka`i. He was given this remarkable task. When
the news of Lanikaula's death was confirmed, the hordes swept over
the island in search of his remains. They never found Lanikaula.
It is said that his body and spirit went into the kukui trees where
it overlooks and protects his land and his people. This is why
the kukui nut trees in the grove of Lanikaula bleed. This legend
was told by Papa John Koomoa Flores of Oneali`i, Moloka`i, make
1995, at age 101.
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