Ko Hanu Ka`u E Li`a Nei (I Long for Your Breath -Words & Music by Charles E. King

`Auhea wale ana `oe lâ
E ka nani o nâ pua lâ
I hoa no ku`u kino lâ
I hoa no ka ua Ha`ao

Hui:
Ko hanu ka`u e li`a nei lâ
He kohu pua rose
I ku`u poli nei lâ
Ke `ala o ka hanu o ka ipo lâ
I pulu i pulu i ke kêhau anu

Na wai no `oe e pakele lâ
I ka miki ko`iawe`a ka wai lâ
Lohi pû i ke anu mâ`e`ele lâ
E honi kâua me ke aloha

Eia ho`i au i ka malu lâ
Me ka leo pumehana o Halona lâ
Ka pua la`i e ka nahele lâ
Ma kou poli au e pili ai

 Where, oh where are you
O lovely one among the flowers
One with whom I long to be
As a companion is the Ha`ao (Retinue) rain

Chorus:
I long for the fragrance of your breath
Sweet as the perfume of a rose
In my bosom
Sweet as the breath of a loved one held in the rain
Like a flower wet with the dew

You will not escape from the
Light touch of the rain
That pelts and causes the cold
Let me kiss you, my darling

Here am I in the shade (in your presence)
With the warm voice of Halona
The ti flower of the woodlands
In your arms I shall stay
Source: King's "Songs of Hawai`i" - The composer dedicated this mele to Joe Kamakau. Translation by Mary Pukui. Copyright Charles E. King, 1920, 1942 Recorded by Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawai`i