Mai`a Lau Pala (Yellowing Banana Leaf - Traditional
`Auhea wale `oe e ka maoli Ka mai`a lau pala o ke kuahiwi     Kaena ana `oe i kou kanaka u`i I na hua ohi`a pala ha`ama     E ki`i a loa`a i ka wekiu Ka liko ka lehua ke `ako mai     A`ole `oe a`o pua ka `ilima E memele kohu ai nei po`ohiwi     Eia au nei pua ka lehua Kohu ai ke kaunu ana i laila     Heaha no la ka`u hala nui Au a`e paweo `ike `ole mai     Kohu `oli kahi mea o ka li`a `ana Ho`okahi kawele pulu i ka hou     Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana Ka mai`a lau pala o ke kuahiwi	Pay attention, you banana The yellowing banana leaf of the mountains     You brag about your youthful physique About the mountain apples half ripe     Go after and get to the top To cut the leaf bud of the lehua     You are not the `ilima flower So becoming, the yellow on my shoulders     Here I am, the lehua flower Suitable for loving     What is my great fault You turn away, without looking at me     That person is unsuitable and not desirable A towel damp with sweat     The story is told The yellowing-leafed banana of the mountain
Source: Popular in the early 1900's, there are other versions and verses. Mai`a is the general term for banana and maoli is a variety. Mai`a lau pala is the Hawaiian expression for bad or failing health.