Na Ka Pueo - by Samuel Kalani Kaea

 

Na ka Pueo kahi ke aloha
Nênê `aukai o Maui

Kowelo ko hae Hawai`i
Ma ka `ilikai a`o Mâmala

Malama iho `oe ke aloha
Kuleana no`u e hiki aku au

Ha`ina `ia mai ka puana
Na ka Pueo kahi ke aloha

 

Pueo, Hawaiian Owl
The Pueo is my one love
The seafaring gull of Maui

The Hawaiian flag flutters
Over the surface of Mamala Bay

Take care of my love
That's mine until I return
 
The story is told
Of the ship, Pueo that I love

 

 

Source: Bill Ali`iloa Lincoln - The Pueo Kahi was a ship named for a village near Hana, Maui. A ship, boat or canoe in Hawaiian mele is a poetic reference to a woman. Older versions begin the song "No Pueo kahi ke aloha".