Pua Kukui O Moloka`i - by David Burrows


Pua lehua o Hawai`i
Mokihana o Kaua`i
O ka heke no pua i ka`u `ike
He pua kukui o Moloka`i
He pua kukui o Moloka`i

Roselani o Maui
Lei` ilima O`ahu
O ka heke no pua i ka uike
He pua kukui o Moloka`i
He pua kukui o Moloka`i

Ha`ina mai ka puana
Lei lehua o Hawai`i
Ho`okahi no pua i ka`u `ike
He pua kukui o Moloka`i
He pua kukui o Moloka`i


Lehua blossom of Hawai`i
Mokihana of Kaua`i
The best flower in my opinion is
The kukui flower of Moloka`i
The kukui flower of Moloka`i

Rose of Maui
`Ilima wreath of O`ahu
The best flower in my opinion is
The kukui flower of Moloka`i
The kukui flower of Moloka`i

Tell the refrain
Lehua wreath of Hawai`i
Only one flower in my opinion
The kukui flower of Moloka`i
The kukui flower of Moloka`i


Source: G. Cooke collection - The melody of this obscure mele that honors the flowers of the islands has been forgotten. Translation by Kaiu Kanoa