Ke Ho`olono Nei (Listening) Lyrics by Suzanne Case, Music by Leokane Pryor, Hawaiian Transcription by Kaliko Beamer Trapp
I ka uka `elo`elo a`o Alaka`i Ka `o`o kahi e pulale ana Ualo makehewa i ke koko`olua Kaumaha i ka noe o Kuakahi   Me he ua a la ke ehu `ohaha wai nui `A`ohe lua e launa ai `o ka leo nahenahe     Po`ouli ho`i ao Hanawi `Olapalapa `o ka home ia Kaluanui, Kaluaiki, Kalapawili `O ia mau lapa manu `ole la   Lu`ulu`u ka nahele o uka I ka ua lokuloku mao `ole He `ole ho`i ka punua `io`io       E ka `io e kaha o ka lewa nu`u O ka lani pa`a o Hawai`i nei Kou maka lana, kou heahea mai Eia makou ke ho`olono nei   E o mai e na kini a lehu E lohe `ia no i ka pakapaka ua `O ka hana ia E malama `ia a mau loa aku	`Io, Hawaiian Hawk	There in the uplands of Alaka`i swamp The lone `o`o anxiously searches Calling out in vain for a mate Into the sad mists of Kuakahi   The lobelia pollen falls like heavy rain No sweet duet can be heard     O Po`ouli of Hanawi The `olapa forest trees are your home Kaluanui, Kaluaiki, Kalapawili Ridges where po`ouli no longer fly   Heavy is the upland forest In the endless downpour Without the music of young birds       O hawk of the great heights Of the heavely skies of Hawai`i Your vision of hope, your call to us Here we are, listening   So answer all you people And heed the message sent In the blessing of raindrops Our work is to protect, evermore
Source: Many of life's lessons were taught to nâ keiki (the children) through song and poetry. In keeping with this ancient tradition, the composer encourages all to malama (care for) endangered native species. There are only 3 known Po`ouli, the black headed honey creeper in east Maui. The `Io or Hawaiian hawk is found only on the island of Hawai`i. To learn more of our native species, visit these websites. www.conservationhawaii.org, www.malamahawaii.org, www.mauiforest bird.org