Heha Waipi`o (Drowsy Waipi`o) - by Sam Li`a Kalainaina, Sr.

 
Kaulana ku`u home puni Waipi`o
Me nâ pe`a nani o ka `âina
Kâkela he hale ali`i
Herode ko`u hoalike
Mô`î puni ha`akei
 
Kukuna o ka lâ ko`u kapa `ia
E `ôlino nei a puni ka honua
Aue a`i luna lilo
Lihi launa `ole mai
Nâ ali`i nui o ke ao
 
E o`u mau kini nâ makamaka
Me nâ kupa o ku`u `âina
Me ka wailele a`o Hi`ilawe
Ko`iawe maila `i luna
Ko`iawe mau i ka pali
 
`A`ole pêlâ ka `oia`i`o
Haku`epa loko`ino o ka makamaka
Ua like nô a like
Me nâ kini lehulehu
O ku`u one hânau
 
E ola mâua me a`u kini
Me a`u lei o nei `âina
Pulupê i ka hunakai
Ka i`a mili i ka lima
Heha Waipi`o i ka noe

Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana
No ka lei hapa pua Sêpânia
He kupa no ka `âina
E kipa mai ma loko
Hale`iwa beautiful home

Famous is my home, beloved Waipi`o
And the beautiful borders of the land
A castle, a royal house
I am like Herod
A haughty king
 
Rays of the sun are my garments
Sparkling on all the earth
Far above, so high, beyond reach
There are no limits
For the great lord of the day
 
My friends and neighbors
And natives of this land
Hi`ilawe, the waterfall
Showering from above
Showering always on the cliff
 
This is not the truth
Gossip started by a jealous crony
I am just the same
Like every one else
Of my birthplace
 
May the two of us and my friends
And my children live in this land
Drenched with sea spray
Where fish are caught in the hand
Waipi`o is drowsy in the mist

Tell the refrain
Of this half Spanish flower lei
A resident of the land
You are welcome to come to
Hale`iwa, my beautiful home

 

Source: This mele tells about the home of M. Smith in Waipi`o Valley called Haleiwa (frigate bird). Her hapa Spanish lover caused much gossip and compared her to the biblical King Herod. The title, Heha Waipi`o is an allusion to drunkeness or the physical drowsiness that follows love making.