Pele Finds A Home - Traditional |
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| There is a pit in the east Made red hot by Pele’s fire How did the goddess find a home On the slopes of Mauna Loa On Hawai`i nei Island where Wakea sleeps Pele’s canoe with red sails Reached the island of Ni`ihau before dawn The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Halali`i I Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Ni`ihau, a home for Pele? Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole The sands of Halâli`i Will cover your fire Ni`ihau is no place for you, Move on! Pele’s canoe with red sails Reach Kaua`i just at dawn The sound of digging in the cliffs Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Ke`e I, Pele, came the answer A fire pit on Kauai, a home for Pele? I am digging a pit to find fire Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole The waters of Kawaikini Will drown your fire Kauai is no place for you, Move on! Pele’s canoe with red sails Reached Oahu as the sun rested on the horizon The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Alia-pa`akai? I, Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Oahu, a home for Pele? Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole The salty water of Alia pa`akai Will drown your fire Oahu is no place for you, Move on! Pele’s canoe with red sails Reach Moloka`i at mid-morning The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Mauna Loa? I Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Molokai, a home for Pele? Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole at Mauna Loa The fearless people of Kalae Will fill your pit with stones Molokai is no place for you, Move on! |
Pele’s canoe with red sails Reached Lanai at high noon The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Palawai? I Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Lanai, a home for Pele? Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole The green palawai will grow And smother your fire with pond scum Lanai is no place for you, Move on! Pele’s canoe with red sails Reached Kaho`olawe at mid-afternoon The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Moaula? I Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Kahoolawe, a home for Pele? Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole Heavy gusts of the south wind Will blow out your fire Kahoolawe is no place for you, Move on! Pele’s canoe with red sails Reached Maui in the late afternoon The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Haleakala? I Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Maui, a home for Pele? Not so, said Wakea Each time you dig a hole In this place that is too large The cold winds will chill you Maui is no place for you, Move on! Pele’s canoe with red sails Reached Hawai`i as the sun floated upon the sea The sound of digging on the plain Woke Wakea from his sleep Wakea asked: Who is digging there at Kilauea? I Pele, came the answer I am digging a pit to find fire A fire pit on Hawai`i, a home for Pele? Oh yes, said Wakea Dig yourself a firepit at Kilauea Dig a deep pit so the fire Will warm you there in your home Stop digging I want to sleep There is a pit in the east Made red hot by Pele’s fire The goddess has found a home On the slopes of Mauna Loa On Hawai`i nei island Where Wakea sleeps Warmed by Pele’s fire |
| Source: Verse #1 - Wakea is the ancestor of Hawaiians, Verse #2 - Halali`i was famed for the sugar cane growing in the sand with leaves protruding, Verse #3 - Kawaikini (mulititude of water) is highest peak on Waialeale, one of wettest spots on earth, due to heavy rainfall, Verse #4 Alia Pa`akai (Salt Lake), the viscid matter from Pele’s eyes formed the salt. Tunnel in the center connected the lake to the sea, Verse #5 - Natives of Kalae had reputation for not respecting kapu of others, Verse #6 - Palawai is dark green slippery fresh-water algae | |