Pili Mai Nō I Ka Ihu (Unforgettable As A Kiss) - Willie 'Awihilima Kahaiali'i

 

Ke kuhi mai iā ʻoe
'O ʻoe nō koʻu maka lā
'Aʻala o ka nāhele
Pili mai nō i ka ihu

E huli i ke kula
E ō Maui kō inoa lā
A me ka pʻuuwai
Maui o ka ʻuhane

E hoʻi nō i ka makani
Mapu mai ka pua o Maui lā
Aloha ʻia ka maile
Ka maile hoʻomaikai

Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana lā
'Aʻala o ka nāhele
Pili mai nō i ka ihu


I often think of you
You who are my favorite
Fragrance of the forest
Unforgettable as a kiss

I search the land
Answer Maui to your name
With my heart is
Maui, land of my spirit

Returning on the wind
Is the fragrance of Maui's flowers
Beloved is the maile
The maile that blesses the spirit

So let the refrain be told of
The fragrance of the forest
Unforgettable as a kiss


Source: Contributed by G. Moore from "Amy & Willie K Live" Album - Translation by Lilikalā Kameʻeleihiwa
©1997 Mountain Apple Co