Mahalo E Hilo Hanakahi - by John P. Watkins

 
Mahalo e Hilo Hanakahi
Me ka lehua a`o Pana`ewa
Me ke aloha poina `ole
O ka malihini
 
 
Ua nani uluwehiwehi
Ke `ike aku i ka nani
Me nä kini makamaka aloha
O ka `äina
 
 
O `oe ka heke o nä pua
Ka lehua a`o Pana`ewa
Me ka maile `ala onaona lä
Po`ina `ole ia
 
 
Ha`ina mai ka puana
Mahalo e Hilo Hanakahi
Me nä kini makamaka aloha
Mahalo ä nui

 

Thanks to Hilo of Hanakahi
And the lehua of Pana`ewa
Your welcome is unforgettable
To the visitor
 
 
This place is beautiful and verdant
See the beauty
The friendly and loving people
Of the land
 
 
You are the best of the natives
The lehua of Pana`ewa
And the fragrant maile
So unforgettable
 
 
Tell the story
Thanks to Hilo of Hanakahi
The friendly and loving people
Many thanks

 

Source: Halemanu Collection - Hanakahi, a district of Hilo was named for an ancient chief of Hawaii. Pana`ewa is a forest. The 3 sections of Hilo are: 1 - Hilo one (sands of Hilo situated near the sea), 2 - Hilo Hanakahi (Hilo of Hanakahi, inland toward Keaukaha, 3 - Hilo pali ku (Hilo of the upright cliff, east of Wailuku river).