Wähine `Ilikea - by Dennis Kamakahi

Hui:
Pua kalaunu ma ke kai
`O Honouliwai
Wahine `ilikea i ka poli `o Moloka`i
Nö ka heke

Nani wale nö nä wailele `uka
`O Hina `o Hähä `o Mo`oloa
Nä wai `ekolu i ka uluwehiwehi
`O Kamalö i ka mälie

Nani wale nö ka `äina Hälawa
Home ho`okipa a ka malihini
`Äina uluwehi i ka noe ahiahi
Ua lawe mai ka makani Ho`olua
Chorus:
Crown flower by the shore
Of Honouliwai
Fair skinned woman in the bosom of Moloka`i
Is the best
 
Beautiful waterfalls of the upland
Hina, Hähä and Mo`oloa
The three waters in the verdant overgrowth
Of Kamalö, in the calm
 
Beautiful is the land, Halawa
Hospitable home to the visitors
Land verdant, in the evening mist
Brought by the wind of Ho`olua

 

Source: L. Akana Collection - The white clouds of Moloka`i are described as a woman in this mele. Kamalo is short for Kamalo`oa (the dry place), on the lee side of the island. Legend says there is a lava tube that connects Kamalo Gulch to Pelekunu valley on the north coast that was inhabited by the famous mo`o of Molokai. Ho`olua is the northeast wind of Halawa valley. Copyright Naukilo Productions