Auhea `O Ka Lani (Where Is The Royal Chief) - Mele Inoa for Lunalilo

 
`Auhea `o ka lani la
Aia i ka he'e nalu
 
 
He`e ana i ka lala la
Ho`i ana i ka muku
 
 
A ka nalu o ho`eu la
Eu ho`i a`e kaua
 
 
A pae a`e Kaimu la
Ho`omu na kanaka
 
 
`Au`au i ka wai la
A`o Wai`akolea
 
 
Lu`u aku a ea mai la
Kanaenae o ka lani
 
 
Ha`ina mai ka puana la
No Lunalilo no he inoa
 

He Inoa No Lunalilo

King William Charles Lunalilo
 
High Chiefess Miriam Auhea Kekauluohi
Where is the royal chief?
There surfing
 
 
Surfing on the long wave
Returning on the short wave
 
 
On the ho'eu wave
We both return
 
 
And land at the sea of Kaimu
Where the natives gather
 
 
We bath in the fresh water
The pond of Wai'akolea
 
 
We dive and surface
A prayerful chant for the chief
 
 
Tell the refrain
Lunalilo is the name
 
 
In the name of Lunalilo
 
Source: Lunalilo by Peter Galuteria, Na Mele Hula by Nona Beamer - Ho`eu means a frothy, stirring, whirlpool wave. Kaimu is a famous surfing beach. Wai`akolea, water of the akolea fern, is a fresh water pond at Kalapana. Lu`u is a diving style with a leaf held in the mouth and covering the nose. This chant honors William Charles Lunalilo, 6th ruler of Hawaii and his surfing exploits in the Puna district of Hawai`i. Born January 31, 1835, in a coral house at Pohukaina, he was a prince of high rank; the son of High Chief Charles Kana`ina and High Chiefess Miriam Auhea Kekauluohi (the thriving growth), the 3rd highest ranking chiefess at that time. After the death of Kamehameha I, her uncle, she took the name Auhea (where has he gone). Hawaiian tradition traces genealogy thru the mother. When a name for the prince was about to be selected, his mother chanted: "I luna, i luna, i lunalilo, the highest, the highest, the highest of all". Luna (high) lilo (lost) means so high up as to be lost to sight. He was also named for King William IV of Britain, a great friend of Hawaiian royalty. Educated at the Chief's Childrens School, he was a good student, winning many scholastic awards. His keen memory, love of his people and a deep sense of justice were among his best assets. Upon the death of King Kamehameha V, Lunalilo was nominated for king. His birthright was enough to claim the throne, but he wanted the people to choose their ruler. His handsome features, gracious manners and intelligence endeared him to all and he was affectionately called Lokomaika`i, (merciful or gracious). He was elected overwhelmingly by the people, unanimously by the legislature and installed as king at Kawaihao Church, January 9, 1873. Noted for simplicity, he sat on the throne covered with the feather cape, symbol of Hawaiian Royalty. This was the ancient act of coronation. His reign began in the middle of an economic depression, but the greatest problem he inherited was the enforcement of the law to prevent the spread of leprosy. His pain for lepers separated from their families and friends and his commitment to protect the uninfected population weighed deeply upon his conscience. The arrival of Father Damien in 1873, was one answer to his fervent prayer. Unable to cope with the changing times and deeply burdened by the dwindling of his native people, he became addicted to alcohol. Feb. 3, 1874, the King died of tuberculosis at his home in Waikiki. He was 39 years old. His was the briefest reign of all, 1 year and 25 days, but the most democratic and receptive to American influence. His lasting legacy is Lunalilo Home, a care home for aged and destitute Hawaiians, founded in 1881.