Lei O Hâ`ena - Helen Desha Beamer |
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Noho ana i ka uluwehiwehi |
Nestling in lush beauty In a wooded grove over spread with soft sweet fragrance Throngs gather Like beautiful feathered birds This is the home of Lei o Hâ`ena Chorus: You are flower For the rain Kanilehua To nurture to full bloom at Ha’ena The grove is perfumed by your fragrance The birds gather here Kea`au’s hala grove dances in the wind Thunder roll surf where La’iekawai bathes Hâ`ena and Hôpoe Sway in the sea This is the home of Lei o Hâ`ena Where are you handsome one Close friend of the celebrated bloom Precious, beautiful flower Moistened and freshened At the lehua fringed pool O answer, Lei of Hâ`ena |
| Source: Barbara Andersen - This composition honors Hâ`ena, the home of Herbert Shipman. He raised orchids and nene there, both alluded to in the mele. Verse 2, stanza 2, Kanika’a is the wave that Princess La`iekawai surfed. Verse 2, stanza 3, Ha`ena and Hôpoe were hula dancers that lived at Kea`au. Verse 3, stanza 5, Waiko`olihilihi is the name of the fresh water pond bordering the historic Shipman estate. Barbara Andersen is the great-grand niece of Herbert Shipman and the proprietor of "Shipman House Bed & Breakfast" in Hilo, recommended by Conde Nast Johansen. For reservations phone 800-627-8447. Copyright 1991, M. Ka’aihue | |