Punalu`u - by Mary Kawena Puku`i & Irmgard Aluli

 
Onaona `o Punalu`u
Sweet i ka lilia
Ke `ala o ka hinano
Ho`ohenoheno i ka poli
 
 
He nani no ka ikena
Ke kai e nehe nei
Ke kai hawanawana
Nanea ho`olohe aku
 
 
He beauty no ka naupaka
Pua pili kahakai
He ho`okahi no `ao`ao
Ke lihilihi o ia pua
 
 
E ho`okahi no `oe
Ke `ike ia Punalu`u
Ke ahe a ka makani
He `olu`olu ka aina
 
 
Ha`ina mai ka puana
No Punalu`u aloha
Ke `ala o ka hinano
Ho`ohenoheno i ka poli
Fragrant is Punalu`u
Sweet with lilies
The scent of hinano
Appeals to the heart
 
 
Beautiful to see
Is the lapping sea
The whispering sea
Is soothing to hear
 
 
Beautiful is the naupaka
Blossom that hugs the shore
Only on one side
Are the petals of this flower
 
 
It'll be the same for you
When you see Punalu'u
With the gentle breeze
That cools the land
 
 
The story is told
Of the affection for Punalu`u
Where the fragrance of hinano
Appeals to the heart

 

Source: N. Miller Collection