Hâli`ilua - by Albert Nahale`a
Aloha kahi wai a`o Hâli`ilua lâ
Lana mâlie
`O ke one kaulana o Keôua lâ,
Me ka `ihi kapu
 
Kapukapu nâ maka a`o ka `ôpua lâ
Ke `ike aku
Ka `anapa i ka luna o Ka`awaloa lâ
Maoli pua
 
He pua nani `oe a he mea laha `ole lâ
Na ka mâkua
A he lei `â`î, na ke kûpuna lâ
He mea milimili
 
Ki`ina ko lei lehua i `Ôla`a lâ
Lei `ia mai
I `ohu no ka wahine e walea ai lâ
Me `ano`i pua
 
Mahalo aku wau lâ i ka nani lâ
Mau mea ho`ohihi
Ka`onohiokalâ mâlamalama lâ
Kau kehakeha
 
`O ke kô a ka Hau anu o Mâ`ihi lâ
`Au i ke kai
Kaomi i ka `ili o ke kamahele lâ
Me ka `eha koni
 
Ha`ina ko lei lehua i `Ôla`a lâ
Lei `ia mai
Ka`onohiokalâ, mâlamalama lâ
Kau kehakeha

Beloved, the water of Hâli`ilua
Gently flowing
Famous, the sands of Keôua
With the sacred kapu
 
The cloud banks are
Seen with new reverence
Sparkling on Ka`awaloa heights
The native blossom

You are a beautiful blossom
A rare thing of her parents
A neck wreath of her ancestors
One to be cherished
 
Go and get your lehua lei at Ôla`a
Wear it as
An adornment for a woman to enjoy
Like a precious flower
 
I admire the beauty of
Delightful things
Ka`onohiokalâ, radiant with pride
High above all
 
The cold breeze of Ma`ihi
Moving out to sea
Pressing the skin of the favored child
Stinging
 
The refrain of your lehua lei at Ôla`a
Now worn
Ka`onohiokala, radiant with pride
High above all


Source: Composed for Hannah Parish of Kona, on the occasion of her wedding. Hâli`ilua was the name of a spring and bathing pool at Kealakekua, Hawai`i, a favorite of Queen Kap`iolani. The cliffs above Kealakekua in Ka`awaloa are known as "Sacred Cliffs of Keôua", the ancient Hawaiian chief. 4th verse - the lehua lei at Ola`a, is the bridegroom. 5th verse - Ka`onohiokalâ (the eyeball of the sun), is the bride's Hawaiian name. 6th verse - Hau is the name of a cool and gentle breeze in the Mâ`ihi area. Translated by Kanani Mana