Mai`a Lau Pala (Yellowing Banana Leaf) - Traditional
Click Title to Access Melody `Auhea wale `oe e ka maoli Ka mai`a lau pala o ke kuahiwi Kaena ana `oe i kou kanaka u`i I na hua ohi`a pala ha`ama E ki`i a loa`a i ka wekiu Ka liko ka lehua ke `ako mai A`ole `oe a`o pua ka `ilima E memele kohu ai nei po`ohiwi Eia au nei pua ka lehua Kohu ai ke kaunu ana i laila Heaha no la ka`u hala nui Au a`e paweo `ike `ole mai Kohu `oli kahi mea o ka li`a `ana Ho`okahi kawele pulu i ka hou Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana Ka mai`a lau pala o ke kuahiwi	Pay attention, you banana The yellowing banana leaf of the mountains You brag about your youthful physique About the mountain apples half ripe Go after and get to the top To cut the leaf bud of the lehua You are not the `ilima flower So becoming, the yellow on my shoulders Here I am, the lehua flower Suitable for loving What is my great fault You turn away, without looking at me| That person is unsuitable and not desirable A towel damp with sweat The story is told The yellowing-leafed banana of the mountain
Source: There are other versions and verses of this mele. Mai`a is the general term for banana and maoli is a variety. Mai`a lau pala is the Hawaiian expression for bad or failing health. Music clip by Gippy Cooke