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| Ma waho au a`o Mähukona lâ `eâ Hana `i`o ka ua iâ Kohala lâ A la`a wale nö ka ho`i lâ `eâ Ka huila a `o Kilauea lâ I `alawa iho au ma hope lâ `eâ Ka ninui poahi a ka huila hao lâ Hele kapalulu nei `iliwai lâ `eâ A komo i ka imu ho`omo`a lâ `O ka mo`a paha `ia 'o ke ko lâ `eâ Ke pipi`i nei ma ke aniani lâ Ha`ina `ia mai ka puana lâ `eâ Ka huila a `o Kilauea lâ | I arrived outside of
Mähukona The rain was heavy in Kohala I came by way of the steamer Kilauea, with its wheels turning I glanced back The wheels of the boiler room were turning A buzzing sound from the waterhose As it entered the oven Sugar may have been cooked this way The steam fogs the glass The story is told The wheels of the Kilauea were turning |
Source: Hines Collection - Mähukona was a port used primarily by Kohala Sugar Plantation to export its products. The Kilauea was an interisland steamer from the time of Kamehameha V. This mele tells the story of disappointment in love. In the 1st verse, the rain refers to someone truly in love, but now this pleasure has turned to pain. Kohala (ko is to draw and hala to the point of no return) means that the lover has been drawn away. The writer compares himself to the paddle wheel of the steamer. In the 4th verse he sings of love that has run its course. Ko is sugarcane but also means something that is drawn out and has come to an end. In this song, love has run it course. | |