He `Ono (Delicious) - Words & Music by Bina Mossman

 

Keu a ka `ono ma ke alopiko lâ
Kahi momona piko ka nenue lâ
Lihaliha wale ke momoni aku lâ
`O ka `ô`io halalê ke kai lâ
`O ka `ôpelu e pepenu ana lâ
He `ono to mito ho`i tau i
Tou pu`u te momoni aku

Hui:
He `ono a he `ono a he `ono
`I`o nô a he`ono nô

Mai pi`ikoi `oe i ke akule lâ
A he i`a `âha`i i ka hohonu lâ
Ho`i iho `oe i kahi `anae lâ
Me ka manini pûlehu `ia lâ
`O ke kole ê ka i`a maka onaona lâ
He `ono to mito ho`i tau i
Tou pu`u te momoni aku

 
 

Oh, how delicious is the belly
The fattest part of the pilot fish
So rich when swallowed
The bone fish with thick gravy
The mackerel, dunked in sauce
Delicious tasting
A delight to the throat to swallow

Chorus:
Delicious, delicious, delicious
Indeed, how delicious

Don't choose only the scad fish
The fish of the depths
Pay some attention to the mullet
And the reef surgeonfish cooked on the coals
And the surgeonfish with the bright sweet eyes
Delicious tasting
A delight to the throat to swallow

 

Source: Baker Collection - It is said this was written while the composer was in the bathtub Translated by Kamehameha Schools HSI, Copyright 1961-66 Criterion Music Corp