A Kona Hema`O Ka Lani (The King At South Kona) - Traditional
Click Title to Access Melody A Kona Hema `o ka lani Nânâ iâ Ka`awaloa `Ike i ka la`i a `Ehu Ehuehu `oe e ka lani Ka helena a`o Hawai`i Mâlamalama nâ moku Ahuwale nâ kualono `Ike `ia ka pae `ôpua E kukû ana i ke kai I ke kai hâwanawana `Ôlelo o Kawaihae Hae ana e ka naulu Ka makani hele uluulu Kû ka e`a i ka moana Ka moana o Mâhukona Ka makani `Âpa`apa`a Lê`i mai `o Kohala I ka nuku nâ kanaka Ha`ina mai ka puana O ka lani Kaulilua	At South Kona, the king Observes Ka`awaloa Knows the peace of `Ehu Majestic are you, o king Going to Hawai`i To take care of the districts In plain view the mountaintops Seen are the cloud banks   At mid-tide on the sea On the whispering sea Speaking of Kawaihae Stirred by the sudden shower   The wind increases The sea rises The sea of Mâhukona The wind named `Apa`apa`a   Crowded is Kohala To the mouth with people Tell the theme The royal Kaulilua
Source: Edwina Kanoho - This ancient chant, set to music, praises the Kona and Kohala districts of the island of Hawaii and was dedicated to King Kalâkaua, also known as Kaulilua. Ehu was a chief famous for his peacful reign and also the ancient name of a land district in South Kona. Ka`awaloa is a village in Honaunau, Kawaihae and Mâhukona are villages in the Kohala area. 'Apa`apa`a is the strong wind from Kohala, the northwest district of Hawai`i. The last verse, Le`i mai `o Kohala i ka nuku (Kohala is crowded at the mouth) is part of a military intelligence report from Pupukea to Kamalalawalu, the Maui leader. The understanding was that all of the people had gone to the harbor mouth leaving that section unprotected. Kamalalawalu invaded the island, but was defeated. Translation by Noelani Mahoe, Music clip by Gippy Cooke