Na Ka Pueo - by Samuel Kalani Kaea

 

Na ka Pueo kähi ke aloha
Nënë `au kai o Maui
 
 
Kowelo ko hae Hawai`i
Ma ka `ilikai a`o Mämala
 
 
Malama iho `oe ke aloha
Kuleana na'u e hiki aku au
 
 
Ha`ina `ia mai ka puana
Na ka Pueo kahi ke aloha

 

Pueo, the Hawaiian Owl that flies by day
The Pueo is my one love
The seafaring gull of Maui
 
 
The Hawaiian flag flutters
Over the surface of Mamala Bay
 
 
Take care of my love
That's mine until I return
 
 
The story is told
Of the ship, Pueo that I love

 

 

Source: Bill Ali`iloa Lincoln - The Pueo kahi was a ship named for a village near Hana, Maui. A ship, boat or canoe in Hawaiian meles is a poetic reference to a woman. Older versions begin the song "Nou Pueo kahi ke aloha".