Waikīkī Hula - Traditional

He aloha ʻia no aʻo Waikīkī, eā
Ka nehe o ke kai hāwanawana
 
Pa iho ka makani lawe mālie, eā
Ke ʻala onaona o ka līpoa
 
Kaulana kou inoa i nā malihini, eā
Kaʻapuni kou nani puni ka honua
 
Huli aku nānā ia Kaimana Hila, eā
'Ike i ka nani aʻo Honolulu
 
Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana, eā
He aloha ʻia no aʻo Waikīkī

 


Prince Kuhio & Princess Kahanu at Pualeilani on the occasion of their 25th Wedding Anniversary, Oct. 8, 1921


Beloved is Waikīkī
The rustling of the whispering sea
 
The wind blows carrying softly
The sweet fragrance of seaweed
 
Your name is famous to visitors,
All your beauty known around the world
 
Turn and look at Diamond Head
See the beauty of Honolulu
 
The story is told
Beloved is Waikīkī

 

Source: This song was written for Pualeilani, the Waikiki home of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. It was given to Helen Ayat by her mother, a lady-in-waiting to Princess Kahanu, wife of Prince Kuhio.