Nani Hala`ula - John Ka`imikaua


Kohala i ka la`i o ka Malanai
O neia `aina one hanau o Kamehameha
`Akahi ho`i au e `ike i Kaname`e
Me ke ki`eki`e kaulana o Paliakamoa

Nani Hala`ula a na`u i aloha
Hi`ihi`i `ia ka `ili e na pu`u
`O ka `Inuwai helele`i ma ka mau`u pili ha`a
A he makani maika`i no ka uka

He lei mamo i lei i ka poli
A he lei mamo lua`ole
Lei no Kohala e
Kohala i ka nuku na kanaka

Kohala, in the calm of the Malanai wind
This land is the birth place of Kamehameha
For the first time I have seen Kaname`e
With the famous heights of Paliakamoa

Beautiful Hala`ula that I love
The land caressed by the hills
The `Inuwai rains falling on the bending mau`u pili grasses
A fine wind from the uplands

A mamo wreath worn upon the bosom
An incomparable mamo wreath
A wreath from Kohala
Kohala is filled to the brim with inhabitants

Source: "Wahine Slack n' Steel" CD - Visit Owana at: www.owanasalazar.com