Wailele O `Akaka (`Akaka Falls) - Words & music by Helen Parker
Malihini ku`u `ike `ana
Kahi wailele `o `Akaka
Kau mai lâ i luna
Lele hunehune mai lâ i nâ pali
Lele hunehune mai lâ i nâ pali
 
Kau nui aku kahi mana`o
A e `iki uhi aku i ka nani
I `uka i puîa
I ke `ala me ke onaona
I ke `ala me ke onaona
 
Onaona wale ho`i i uka
I ka pa`a mau `ia e ka noe
I `uka kû paoa
E moani nei i ku`u poli
E moani nei i ku`u poli
 
Na ke akua mana loa
E kia`i maluhia mai
I kêia mau pua
O ku`u `âina aloha
O ku`u `âina aloha
 
I ne`e oe kû au e `ako
I ka pua o ka `awapuhi
I laila nô ka malihini
Na`u ia a e honihoni
Na`u ia a e honihoni
 
Ha`ina `ia mai ka puana
I kahi wailele `o `Akaka
Kau mai lâ i luna
Lele hunehune mai la i nâ pali
Lele hunehune mai la i nâ pali
As a stranger, I saw
The waterfall of `Akaka
From high above
The water flows gently down the cliff
The water flows gently down the cliff
 
One great thought arises
Of being overcomed by the beauty
Of the sweet-smelling uplands
Fragrant and lovely
Fragrant and lovely
 
Alluring also are the uplands
Continually one with the misty rain
Whose overwhelming scent
Is welcomed into my heart
Is welcomed into my heart
 
It is for the Almighty
To guide and protect
The precious people
Of my beloved land
Of my beloved land
 
As I continue, I stop to pluck
The flower of the wild ginger
There it is a rarity
Mine to be smelled and kissed
Mine to be smelled and kissed
 
Tell the refrain
The waterfall of `Akaka
From high above
The water flows genly down the cliff
The water flows genly down the cliff

 

Source: - Legend says `Akaka fell to his death from the 442 foot falls now called `Akaka Falls. His two lovers, Lehua and Maile, could not stop crying and they can be seen in a ravine close by, disguised as two smaller waterfalls. Translated by Kâ`eo Kawa`a Copyright 1934, 1962 EMI Miller Catalog Inc