Manu `I`iwi (`I`iw`i Bird) - Traditional
Nani wale ka hi`ona ia manu
Hiehie i ponia e ke aloha
I laiae lawa ku`u makemake
Honi au a ho`omaumau

Hui:
Ua pili kahi manu
Hulu nani i ka ua
Ia manu `i`iwi polena i ka ua
Ua pili i ka`u kepau a hemo`ole
I ka`u kawili ana iho a pa`a pono

 Beautiful is the appearance of that bird
Attractive and anointed with love
There I was satisfied
To kiss it and continue kissing it

Chorus:
I have caught my bird
Its feathers are beauiful in the rain
A yellowish `I`iwi bird in the rain
It was caught on my gum and can't get away
I gummed the branch and there it was caught fast
Source: "Na Mele O Hawai`i" by West Maui Hawaiian Civic Club. I`iwi is the scarlet honeycreeper also called `akialoa on O`ahu. The feathers are used in Hawaiian featherwork. This love song uses the methaphor of bird-catching with gum. Translated by Mary Pukui
`I`iwi Bird