Lei Ohaoha (Perfect Lei) - Words & music by David Nape

Nani wale au e `ike nei
I ka kâkela ku `ike alo pali
I laila hia`ai ka mana`o
I ka hana a ka uwila

Hui:
Ohaoha wale ku`u lei
I ka lîhau ia e ka ua noe
Ka hikina `ana mai i ka pô nei
Ho`opumehana i ku`u poli

Mea `ole ia pouli nui
I hanu ia mai e ke `ala
Mea `ole ka loa o nei kula
Ke anu me ke ko`eko`e

It is wonderful to me to see
A castle before the face of cliff
It was there that my heart was thrilled
At the motion of the lightning

Chorus:
Perfect if my lei
Wet in the misty rain
When she came to me last night
She warmed my heart

Great
darkness is as nothing to me
Just to smell your fragrance
As nothing to me is the distance
Across the plain, the cold and bleak

 

Source: Hopkin's "Aloha Collection" - Ohaoha means every flower fresh and perfectly formed. Translated by Mary Pukui. Copyright Charles Hopkins, 1899