Mana`o Pili - Traditional

 
Aloha e Kaua`i kaulana Kaumuali`i
Ke `imi nei ia `oe `a`ala ku`u lei

Puni au mehana aia `âina nui aloha
I `olu`olu au eia e i Kôloa

Ka nani o Kaua`i pili ko`u pu`uwai
Ua mau ma Ni`ihau no Hawai`i loa

Eia nei oia ka inoa o Miloli`i
Ka po`e o Kaua`i hoaloha nui

Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana
Aloha e Kaua`i kaulana kou inoa
Love for Kaua`i and the famous chief Kaumuali`i
I'm in search of my fragrant lei 
 
Surrounded by this beloved land
I am refreshed here in Kôloa 

Behold the beauty of Kaua`i, so close to my heart
Long life from Ni`ihau to great Hawai`i
 
Here is a place named Miloli`i
The people of Kaua`i are so friendly

Let the story be told
Love for this famous island, the name is Kaua`i

 

Source: Arturo and Rossy of Ka Pa Hula Roselani - Composed in the late 20's or early's 30 by a hula dancer and singer from Miloli`i who was asked to perform in Kaua`i. Lonesome and uncomfortable in the beginning, she was taken in by a Kaua`i family who showed her great hospitality and took her around their island. They showed her a place on the Na Pali Coast, also named Miloli`i. Returning home to her village on Hawai`i, she wanted to reciprocate the warm love this family had extended to her on her trip. She wrote this mele in the old Ni`ihau dialect to honor this family and preserve good memories of her trip and their hospitality.