Lei Hâlawa - Traditional


Lei Hâlawa i ka ua a ka Nâulu
Lei Ka`uhuhu ike `ala o ka lipoa
Lei Papâkea i ka makani lawe ehu kai
Lei ho`i `oe i ka ehuwai la o Moa`ula

Hui:
E ka makani houhou `ili o ka `âina
O ka `âina, o ka `âina o ka pâ kolonahe
Mai a ka Hau i ka po la`i
`A`ole hewa he `olu ia
La ua hiki no

Lei Ka`ili i ka lau o ke kamani
Lanikaula hoi i ka lau o ka kukui
Lei Kûnapa i ka maile lau onaona
Lei ho`i `oe ka ehu wai la Moa`ula

Lei Opele i ka `ala o ka pikake
Hanakaulua hoi ka lau o ka palai
Lei Kapana i ke onaona awapuhi
Lei ho`i oe i ka ehu wai la o Moa`ula


Hâlawa's wreath is the Nâulu rain
Ka`uhuhu's wreath has the fragrance of lipoa seaweed
Papakea`s wreath is the wind with white seaspray
You were wreathed with the spray of Moa`ula Falls

Chorus:
O skin piercing wind of the land
Of the land, of the land that gently blows
The Hau breeze stirs the fern
No flaw can be found here
All is peaceful, indeed.

Kaili's wreath is kamani leaves
Lanikaula comes with leaves of the kukui
Kunapa's wreath has fragrant-leafed maile
You are wreathed with the spray of Moa`ula

Opele's wreath has the fragrance of jasmine
Hanakaulua comes with leaves of the fern
Kapana's wreath has the fragrance of ginger
You are wreathed with the spray of Moa`ula


Source: G. Cooke collection, from Edward Kaupu - This mele defines and names some of the winds on Moloka`i. The Nâulu rain is a sudden shower. Ka`uhuhu wind forms on the edge of a cliff, Papâkea wind has white sea spray, Hau is a cool dew laden breeze, Ka`ili is the snatching wind, Kûnapa wind is not steady, Opele is a billowing wind, Hanakaulua is a strong north wind, Kapana is the wind on the border. Moa`ula is the waterfall in Hâlawa valley on Moloka`i. Translation by Kaiu Kanoa