Rapid Transit Hula - Martha Nani

`O ke ka`a rapid transit ka`u aloha
I ka nome mâlie i ke ala hao

Hao ana i ka mana o ke kalaiwa
`Ehuehu i ke kula loa o Kalihi

Ho`olale mai ana e huli ho`i
E `ike i ka nani o ke kapitala

Ka ihona o ke kula o Kalihi
Pâ ana ka makani po`aihale

`O ka hana `ana ia a ka uila
He pakika he pahe`e kahi o nâ pali

 The Rapid Transit is my delight
As it rolls gently along on the rails

The driver turns on the power
Kicking up dust on the plains of Kalihi

Hurry now and turn about
And see the beauty of the capital town

Moving down the slope of Kalihi’s plain
The Po`aihale winds blow gently

The energy of the electricity causes
Us to slip and slide on the inclines

Source: The Brothers Cazimero Album - Hawai`i's first public transportation, in the spring of 1868, was the Pioneer Omnibus Line, a horse-pulled vehicle. Hawaiian Transway, Ltd. started 4 mule-drawn trams in December,1888. The company became Honolulu Rapid Transit & Land Company or HRT, in 1903. Pacific Heights Electric Railway Co., Ltd. introduced electric streetcars in 1900. The fare was 5 cents. HRT began bus service in 1915. The trolley buses ran until spring, 1958. Translated by Larry Lindsey Kimura

Mule Tram, 1901