Neki Hula - Traditional

 
Ke holo a`e nei kâhi neki
I waiho `ao`ao mai nei `ea `ea
Maika`i kûlana hale he pili
`A`ohe mea hana a`o loko `ea `ea
 
Kau aku i lio Hawai`i
Ke `ami i ka lina poepoe `ea `ea
Kau aku i lio Kaleponi
Ho`onui kailina o ka pono `ea `ea
 
Ku me ka ma`a i ke one
Pilipu ka`ili ka moena `ea `ea
Ua anu ka pua o ka hale wili
Ka wahine noho la`i i ke kula `ea `ea
 
Luaole i ka hana ka hale wili
Ku`u lei i wainapanapa maika`i `ea `ea
Ha`ina `ia mai ka puana
Ke holo a`e nei kahi neki `ea `ea
Some bulrush is traveling along
And has stopped to the side of me
It has a fine appearance, good enough for a pili house
There is nothing left to do about it
 
Mount upon a Hawaiian horse
And you go around in circles
Mount upon a California horse
And your estate increases
 
Appearing accustomed to the sand
And the association with the surface of the ocean
Is made cold the flower of the mill
Its woman reposing calmly in the uplands
 
Unsurpasssed is the work of the mill
My wreath that is well twisted
The refrain is told
Of the bulrush traveling hither

 

Source: Castillo Collection Translated by Kalani Akana