Honomuni (Moloka`i Jeep Ride) - by John Pi`ilani Watkins

 

Kâua i ka holoholo ka`a
Mea `ole ka pi`ina me ka jeep ride
Aia i ka nani a`o Honomuni, `eâ
Home ho`okipa malihini

Kaulana wale `oe e Moloka`i
Pumehana ke aloha na ka malihini
`Ike `ia i ka nani o Kalaupapa `eâ
Lei ana i ka kukui

Moloka`i nui a Hina
Me nâ kini makamaka o ka `âina
Ho`ohaehae ho`opoina `eâ
I leo pule nô `o Pi`ilani

Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana
Pumehana ke aloha na ka malihini
`Ike `ia i ka nani o Kalaupapa `eâ
Lei ana i ka kukui

 

Let's you and I go for a car ride
The climb is nothing with a jeep
There is the beauty of Honomuni
The home hospitable to visitors
 
Famous are you, Moloka`i showing
Affection for visitors
The beauty of Kalaupapa is seen
Wreathed in kukui
 
Great Moloka`i of Hina
With countless close friends of the land
Exasperations are soon forgotten
In the spoken prayer by Pi`ilani
 
The story is told
Warm affection for the visitor
The beauty of Kalaupapa can be seen
Wreathed in kukui

 

Source: Ea Collection - Honomuni is between Hotel Molokai and Halawa Valley. Watkins composed this song for the home of the Dudoit family. Pule in verse #3 refers to the old name of this island, Pule o`o meaning, deep & sucessful prayer