Lei Hali`a - Words & Music by Puakea Nogelmeier

 
He ahu a`o Lanihuli
No ka noe o Nu`uanu
Nu`alia i ka pö`ai pali
I ka pä iki mai o ke Kona ë
 
 
 
Hui:
He ohu i ka leu hali`a
`Ala mäpu i ke anuhea
Hea mai i ke aumoe
Moemoeä, moe mälie i ka poli ë
 
 
 
Luhiehu ka lau o ka palai
Päpälua i ke kilihune
Kilihea ka liko `ähihi
Hihimanu, hihipe`a me ka maile ë
 
 
 
`Auamo `o Konahuanui
I ke ao hakumakuma
Kü mahiehie Kilohana
Ua pö i ke`ala hinano ë
Lanihuli is laden like an altar
For the mists of Nuuanu
Amassed there in the circle of cliffs
By the sultry buffeting of the Kona wind
 
 
 
Chorus:
Adorned with a lei of fond recollection
A permeating fragrance that comes sweetly
Beckoning to me in the deep of the night
Dream sleep gently there in the heart
 
 
 
The fronds of palai are luxuriant
Doubly so in the fine misty rain
Bedewed are the fine shoots of the `ahihi
Elegant entwined in the abundance of maile
 
 
 
Konahuanui shoulders the burden
Lifting the dark heavy clouds
That Kilohana in its glory may rise
Mantled in the heady fragrance of hinano

 

Source: Keali`i Reichel CD "Pride of Punahele"