Ka Inu Wai - Maika`i Ka Makani O Kohala - (Thirsty Breezes of Kohala )
Words by William J. Sheldon, Music by David Nape

 

Hui:
Ko aloha, ko aloha ka`u mea nui
He makana, he makana na ka pu`uwai

Maika`i ka makani o Kohala
`Ike `ia e ka inu wai
`O ka wai no ia pono kâua
Wai kaulana o ka `âina

Nani wale Niuli`i kâhela i ka la`i
`Ekolu `ôpua hiki mai
A la`i `ia mai e ka ulu hala
Nalo wale ka luna o Hapu`u

Ha`aheo ka hau i ka mauna
Kahiko i ka ohu o ka nahele
E ka oni mai nei lililnoi
I ka ohu noe ike kuahiwi

Ana `ole ka makani iâ Kohala
Holohia a ka ua Naulu
Aia ka luana i Makapala
I ka hea mia a Niuli`i

Nê hoe ka leo o ka wai
Hana pono i ka poli o ka `iwa
Ku`u `iea ku`i lei kâhiko ia
Na pua lehua i `Awini


Chorus:
Your love, your love is a great thing to me
A gift, a gift for the heart
Good is the wind of Kohala
Known as the drinking water
It's the water that is good for the two of us
Famous water of the land

The splendor of Niuli`i sprawling peacefully
Three clouds approach
Gently settling there at the hala grove
Hiding the top of Hapu`u

Proud is the hau in the mountain
Adorned over by the forest
The mist moves about
The misty rain enshrouds the mountains

Boundless is the wind of Kohala
Mingled with the Naulu rain
Rest will be found at Makapala
When the Niuli`i calls an invitation

Pleasant is the murmur of water
Refreshing among the ferns
My ferns, my adorning lei
Entwined witht he lehua of Awini
 
 

Source: Verse 1 & 2 from Hopkin's Aloha Colletion & Pete Donnelly, Verse 3, 4, 5 from Pukui collection - This song tells of the Inuwai winds that blow across Kohala and parch the land. Kohala, Niuli`i and Hapu`u are places on the big island. The 3 clouds represent 3 sisters and one is the writer’s sweetheart. Her home was hidden from his view by the hala (pandanus) grove of Hapu`u. Chorus, Verse 1, 2 translated by Ainsley Halemanu. Verse 3, 4, 5 translated by Mary Pukui. Copyright Charles Hopkins 1899