Panini Pua Kea (White Flowered Cactus) - Words & Music by John K. Almeida


`Auhea iho nei o Lei aloha
Ku`u hoa i ka nani a`o nâ pua


Eia mai au `o suipa lilo
Ka ipo i ke aka pua aniani


He aniani wale `o hâli`a loko
Nowelo mao `ole i ka pu`uwai


Nâ wai nô `oe e a pakele aku
I ka wai o ka pânini pua kea


Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana
Ku`u ipo i ka nani a`o nâ pua

Where has Leialoha gone?
My companion amid the beautiful flowers


Here am I, "Sweep-all-to-myself"
Your sweetheart in the shadow of fair flowers


Well known is my heart's turmoil
As love stirs ceaselessly in my heart


How can you escape its influence
After tasting the honey of the white flowered cactus


This is the end of my song
Of my sweetheart among the beautiful flowers

Source: Na Mele Aloha, Translated by Mary Pûku`i - The many beautiful songs this blind composer wrote were inspired by the many beautiful women he knew