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Imagine a world without the written word. No books. No texting. No written contracts. No writing of any kind. It is quite difficult to imagine – almost impossible in a time when everything that matters must be written down. Imagining such a world brings us closer to the experience of our kūpuna – Kānaka ʻŌiwi who relied solely on oral traditions to communicate with each other, between generations, and with their beloved environment. It is no wonder why the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, our Lāhui, had one of the highest literacy rates in the world. The written word was a technology we gained, resulting in Oceania’s largest collection of newspapers, and laying the groundwork for a new kind of knowledge system.
But have we considered what technology we may have lost in the process? Today, we most often document knowledge by writing it down. We store knowledge in an exterior vessel – the written word on a piece of paper. Without the written word, our kūpuna embedded knowledge in a different container: mele. The skilled composers of mele – the Haku Mele – fashioned their composition as mnemonic devices, in which embedded knowledge was stored within the knower and recalled at the tip of the tongue. As an oral practice, mele represents a technology that shaped the worldview of our kūpuna. Their reliance on spoken/chanted/sung ʻōlelo informed what they knew about themselves, each other, and their surroundings. Through mele, they ensured continuity of knowledge, tradition and practice across generations. |
As Haku Mele and mele practitioners, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cody Pueo Pata, Zachary Lum and Kealiʻi Reichel have captured a variety of experiences in mele – from beloved people to unforgettable places. Yet these mele find consonance in the fact that they celebrate what we refuse to lose: our ancestral way of knowing through mele. Just as the revitalization of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi inspired further quests of knowledge about our people, place, and culture, a critical mass of mele knowledge will surely deliver future generations to renewed heights – elevating Hawaiian worldviews that remind the world of our relatedness to each other, to our environment, and to our future.
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Nani Wale ʻo Piʻiholo
KEALI‘I REICHEL
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ʻAe, Nani Wale ʻo Piʻiholo
Nani wale ē ʻehehene ʻO Piʻiholo ʻā ʻahahana Ka wai huʻi ē ʻehehene ʻO Kalena ʻā ʻahahana ē He mea ʻole ē ʻehehene Ta piʻina ʻā ʻahahana Ma luna pono ē ʻehehene O ka lio ʻā ʻahahana ē E paʻa pono ē ʻehehene I ta ʻōmuku ʻā ʻahana Naue tāua ē ʻehehene I ka niʻo ʻā ʻahahana ē Māloʻeloʻe ē ʻehehene A walawala ʻā ʻahahana Haʻu ʻōpī ē ʻehehene Kou waha ʻā ʻahahana ē Kaena atu ē ʻēhehene I ka piʻina ʻā ʻahahana ʻUhūʻuhū ʻē ʻēhehene A Piʻiholo ʻā ʻahahana ē, ʻae He inoa no Kawaiokalena |
Piʻiholo is Splendid
Simply splendid Is Piʻiholo The chilly waters Of Kalena Tis nothing The ascent When properly astride A horse Hold fast To the saddle horn We sway At the summit Stiff and aching Tilted backwards Open-mouthed puffing Issues forth Boast, brag About the ascent Neighing, snort sounds At Piʻiholo, indeed A name song for Kawaiokalena |
ʻAʻoe Hoʻolale a Koe Aku: Kahaluʻu
ZACHARY ALAKA‘I LUM
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ʻAʻoe hoʻolale a koe aku, ʻĀ!
Hālanalana Kahaluʻu lā ʻahahana I ta ua nāulu a Kahualoa lā ʻAʻoe hoʻolale a koe aku, ʻĒ! Halalē teletele Heʻeia ʻehehene I ta līpāheʻeheʻe me ka ʻeleʻele ʻAʻoe hoʻolale a koe aku, ʻĪ! Ikiiki Puʻu Niki i milia i ka nihi Ua tilitilihune huʻi koni i ka ʻili ʻAʻoe hoʻolale a koe aku, ʻŌ! Pohō hoʻokonokono ʻo Kalokomanu Hoʻokahi nō ʻōʻō ʻōtomotomo ʻAʻoe hoʻolale a koe aku, ʻŪ! ʻŪ Kahaluʻu i ta ua nāulu Kulukulu wai mūkīkī a ka manu ʻAʻoe hoʻolale a koe aku, ʻĀ, ʻĒ, ʻĪ, ʻŌ, ʻŪ! |
There is no urge stronger, ʻĀ!
Kahaluʻu is overflowing By the sudden downpour of Kahualoa There is no urge stronger, ʻĒ! Heʻeia slurps the rich and greasy Limu līpāheʻeheʻe and limu ʻeleʻele There is no urge stronger, ʻĪ! Puʻu Niki is humid with the gentle rain Stinging the skin There is no urge stronger, ʻŌ! Kalokomanu is an enticing bog For the insertion of only one ʻōʻō There is no urge stronger, ʻŪ! Kahaluʻu groans in sudden downpour The trickle of water for the bird to sip There is no urge stronger, ʻĀ, ʻĒ, ʻĪ, ʻŌ, ʻŪ! |
KAPUA
Mele Hoʻoipoipo
CODY PUEO PATA
CODY PUEO PATA
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Ua pulu i ka hunahuna kai
Kilihune i ka malu o Lēʻahi; I ke ahe o ka ʻŌlauniu, Niua i ka hana a ka ipo. Kīpapa ko heʻe i ka lala I ka ʻapa ihola a ke Kona Hōʻōhū aʻe ana i ka muku I ka nuku lā o Kapua. ʻEu aku i ke kō a ko lima, ʻŌlali i ka ʻili o ke kai; Hoʻolaʻi mai nō i luna– Luana i ka pae puʻe one. Nū mai ka leo o ke kai O Kaluāhole i ka huku ʻale; ʻAleʻale ʻo Kāneloa A poʻi nalu i kai o Waikīkī. |
Dampened by the sea spray
Which falls lightly below Lēʻahi; Amidst the breeze of the ʻŌlauniu, Dizzied by the lover’s acts. You paddle prone upon the lala wave As the Kona lingers offshore Causing the muku wave to rise Along the entrance there of Kapua. Stirred into action by the stroke of your hand, Gliding smoothly across the surface of the sea; Poised aloft just above– Finding joy as you come ashore. The voice of Kaluāhole’s sea moans As the billows swell; Kāneloa ripples Until waves break along the shore of Waikīkī |
Kuaokalā
KAINANI KAHAUNAELE
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Ke hea mai nei ko māpuna leo
ʻEhehene nei, e ʻuhene nei Huʻi koni ana i ka puʻuwai ʻEhehene nei, e ʻuhene nei ʻAuhea ʻoe e Kuaokalā Eia lā au, ka lae ʻo Kaʻena I ka nae ʻala o ka hunahuna kai Kuaokalā, Kuaokalā Nopu maila e ka lā a hahana I Nēnēleʻa nei, Nēnēleʻa nei I ka hana mao ʻole iā loko lilo nō Kukuna o ka lā, kukuna o ka lā ʻAuhea ʻoe e Kuaokalā Eia lā au, ka lae ʻo Kaʻena I ka nae ʻala o ka hunahuna kai Kuaokalā, Kuaokalā ʻO ʻoe a ʻo wau kai ʻike i ka wai Ke momoni nei, ke nonome nei A ka ua Nāulu me ke kuhikuhinia E lualaʻi nei, i Kaʻena nei Haʻina ʻia mai me ka ʻeha koni Hoa like nei no Waialua ē I noho ʻia e ke onaona, poli nahe ē Kuaokalā, Kuaokalā Kuaokalā, Kuaokalā |
Your expression of love calls forth
Giggling, laughing The throbbing in my heart persists Giggling, laughing Listen, Kuaokalā Here I am - Kaʻena In the fragrance of the fine seaspray And here you are The heat is on Here at Nēnēleʻa Hitting the very core of me deep within With your sun ray Listen, Kuaokalā Here I am - Kaʻena In the fragrance of the fine seaspray And here you are We know this water very well Gulping and munching along Of the Nāulu showers with rich cuisine Enjoying life in Kaʻena This song ends with a throbbing heart A like minded friend from Waialua With a suave and sweet disposition And here you are Kuaokalā, Kuaokalā |
IPO KA‘UPU
Mele Hoʻālohaloha
CODY PUEO PATA
CODY PUEO PATA
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ʻAuhea wale ana ʻoe,
E kuʻu ipo kaʻupu? Aia i ka moana ākea I ka hehi ʻale mai; Eia iho nō wau E kali aku nei I ko hoʻi mai A pumehana hou kāua. Mea ʻole ē ka hao mai A ka makani Ulumano I kūʻululū iho ai ʻO Kuaihelani; Hō mai ko ihu aloha I ʻolu hoʻi kāua, A nāueue pū I ka ulu a ke kīkīao. He aha nō lā kāu ahna E palai nei i ko maka? E hālō mai hoʻi ʻoe, E peʻe poli nei; Eia iho i ka pihe a manu, E pukukuʻi like kāua, He pūnana nō, he aloha– E ke aloha, ua hoʻi mai. |
Where could you be,
My sweetheart who is like the kaʻupu bird? You are out over the great ocean Treading forth upon the billows; I am here Awaiting Your return So we two might once again know warmth. Trivial is the galing Of the Ulumano wind Which chills Kuaihelani; Grant me your affectionate nose That we two might know pleasure, And sway back and forth together As the sudden gust rises. What are you doing Bashfully hiding your face? Peek here at me, You who hides within the bosom? Right here amidst the din of birds, Let us nestle together, It is a nest, a love– My love, you have returned. |
LEI PAHAPAHA
KAINANI KAHAUNAELE
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Me he ala e ʻī mai ana
Ka wai liʻulā o Mānā Ka wai ʻula ʻiliahi Ke one kani o Nohili Nonohili Pehea lā e kuʻu lei pahapaha aʻo Polihale? I lei papahi no kuʻu kino I Kaulakahi Kaulakahi Hui: Hoʻi mai kāua I ke kili a ka ua Kohu ipo manuahi I oʻu pāpālina I paʻa ka lei, paʻahia I ka makani ua ahe Unulau O Kawaihoa i Kaunu Ka welona a ka lā I Lehua |
It’s as if you’re saying
You’re like the famous mirage of Mānā The rare dual colored waters of Waimea And the mysterious resounding sands of Nohili What do you think, oh prospect? Could you be a significant adornment For me at this place of connection? Chorus: I’ve missed you And our time in the passing showers Whose raindrops personify a lover Kissing my cheek It is set, affirmed In the rain bringing tradewind of Niʻihau It’s you and I for an afternoon delight As the sun sets at Lehua |
Me ʻOe Always Kuʻu Aloha
ZACHARY ALAKA‘I LUM
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ʻO ʻoe nō kaʻu e hāʻupu mau nei
E kuʻu ipo, e ka liʻa a loko Ma ʻaneʻi mai ʻoe ʻolu kāua I ka laʻi lua o ke onaona Hui Me ʻoe always kuʻu aloha E ka haliʻa hiki aumoe Hiki maila nō hoʻi ʻoe Maha aʻela nei puʻuwai ʻO ke ʻala anuhea aʻo Pua Rose Kai hiki mai i oʻu nei Me he ala e ʻī mai ana E hoʻi mai kāua e pili |
You are my enduring thought
My dear, my innermost desire Come to me, let us enjoy each other In the dual loveliness Hui My love shall always be with you My cherished memory of the evening You arrive to me And my heart is at peace The refreshing scent of the rose Comes to me As if it were saying Let us be together |
My Dahling
KAINANI KAHAUNAELE
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E Kuʻualoha, My Dahling
O ka ua noe o Kōloa Ko poli ʻala mēlia Kāhiko i ka nani o ka Malanai Ua hele wale a ʻohu I nā lei a Kalehuamakanoe Lei ʻīlima maʻemaʻe o kauhale ʻAwapuhi anuhea o ka uka Ka mea aloha o Makanalani Me ka pūkonakona o Nāwiliwili I haʻupu aʻe nei kahi manaʻo Wai huʻihuʻi o Kemamo Haʻina ko wehi e Honey Maka ʻālohilohi aʻo Poʻipū He ipo lauaʻe no nā kini O Kauaʻi o Manokalanipō |
My Love, Elaine, My Darling
Of the misty rain of Kōloa Your plumeria scented hugs Are adorned by the opulence of the Malanai You are never without flowers in your hair Or lei from your mother and daughter The signature lei ʻilima of the compound And the cool fragrant ginger lei of the uplands You’re adored by Makanalani And your mighty groom of Nāwiliwili I have so many fond memories Of the chilly waters of Kemamo Your song is sung, Honey Blue-eyed Hawaiian of Poʻipū A sweetheart that everyone knows and loves Belonging to Kauaʻi of Chief Manokalanipō |
He Mele Hua Inoa no Kuaola Kamaleiokauhale
ZACHARY ALAKA‘I LUM
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K – aulana Koolau, he pali kupaa
U – luwehi i na pua o ka wekiu notice A – ka ua Poaihale e milikaa ai O – naona mai nei ka nahele L – uhiehu ke oho o ka palai A - ala kupukupu i ka malu la-i K – ilakila Haleakala, kuahiwi nani A – Maui a Kama e hooheno nei M – e Na Wai kaulana ok a aina A – a mai ke kukui pio ole L – amaku o ka naauao E – aho no oe e komo mai I - ka malu hoolai o ke ao O – oe ia, ke kamaaina K – uu pua lei kau umauma A – u e pulama mau ai U – ilani hiikua na ka makua H – iilei ai na ke kupuna A – loha kuu lei poina ole L – ei oe, lei au, lei kakou ē E – o e Kuaola Kamaleiokauhale, ko lei, ko inoa ia |
Koʻolau is famous, with its steadfast cliffs
Verdant with flowers at the summit That the Pōʻaihale rain caresses This wilderness is sweet and alluring The fronds of the palai are beautifully laden The scent of the kupukupu in the shade of ti leaves Haleakalā is regal, a beautiful mountain That Maui of Kama adores With the famous waters of this ʻāina The unceasing light shines brightly A guiding torch of wisdom It would be good for you to come And enjoy the serenity of enlightenment It is you, child of this ʻāina My lei blossom placed on my chest Whom I cherish forever A heavenly beauty on the backs of your parents Worn as a lei by your kūpuna Aloha, my unforgettable lei We are all of this lei: you, me, all of us Respond, Kuaola Kamaleiokauhale, this is your lei, your name. |
No ʻUmaleimakani
KEALI‘I REICHEL
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ʻAe, He hoʻoheno no ʻUmaleimakani
ʻĒhē, ʻāhā ʻO ʻoe ia, ēhē ʻO ʻUmaleimakani, ʻāhā He pōhaku, (he) kanaka, ʻēhē Kūpaʻa i ka ʻāina, ʻāhā E oʻu hoa kīaʻi, ʻēhē O Hakapueo, ʻāhā E pale aku i ka ʻino, ʻēhē E pale aku i ka hewa, ʻāhā ʻO nā lawakua, ʻēhē ʻO Maka aʻo Hiwa, ʻāhā Uwalo aku ka leo, ʻēhē Nei paʻipunahele, ʻāhā He hoʻoheno kēia, ʻēhē No ʻUmaleimakani, ʻāhā ʻĒhē, ʻāhā He hoʻoheno no ʻUmaleimakani |
A cherishing mele for ʻUmalemakani
It is you, ʻUmaleimakani A stone being Firmly affixed to the land My guardian companion Of Hakapueo Ward off evil Deflect the wicked do-er Two close companions Maka and Hiwa My voice resounds Proclaiming you as favorite This is a cherishing mele For ʻUmaleimakani A cherishing mele for ʻUmalemakani |
Kahalaoweke
Mele Nala Lau Hala
CODY PUEO PATA
CODY PUEO PATA
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Kaulana Kahaloweke o ka hikina lā,
Hoʻonipo ana me ka hala o Māpuwena– Pili ana i ka piko o ka hono ʻO Kapueokahi i ka ulua ka Halemauʻu. Hoʻohaunuʻu Hāna iā Kaihuakalā, I ka pōʻai puni ʻia e ke Kiu, I ka haʻi mai a ka nalu o Keʻanini I ke alo pali o ka wai o Punahoa. Kīkiʻi Mokuhano i ka ʻehu o ke kai– ʻĀwala lua i ka lae ʻo Nānuʻalele; Pūkaula Kaihalulu i ka huʻa kai– Haʻimoeipo i ka poli o Kaʻuiki. ʻO ka waiho ohiohi kupu a lau Huki hiʻi Waikaloa i ka ʻiliʻili; Haʻina hoʻoheno i ka papā– I ka lele hunahuna mai a ka Uakea. |
Famed is Kahaloweke from where the sun rises,
Wooing the pandanus grove of Māpuwena– Approaching each other along the boundary of the bay Of Kapueokahi amidst the rising Halemauʻu wind. Hāna is prideful because of Kaihuakalā, Because of how it is encompassed by the Kiu breeze, Because of the breaking surf of Keʻanini Along the face of the cliff of the waters of Punahoa. Mokuhano leans into the spray of the sea– Tilting across toward the point of Nānuʻalele; Kaihalulu bears a bundle of sea foam upon its back– Absorbed in fascination within the embrace of Kaʻuiki. The lush and verdant sprawl of the land, Waikaloa tugs and takes up the stones; Telling lovingly of the blowing of the wind– Of the fine misty spray of the Uakea. |
Ode to a House
KEALI‘I REICHEL
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Welo Piʻiholo i ka ʻUlalena
Hālena palaʻehu i ka lehua Hū aʻe ke aloha ke ʻike aku I ka nani kau mai i luna Hui Aloha ē, aloha ʻoe Kuʻu home ʻalo ehu ē E ola ē, e ola mau Kuʻu home kuahiwi ē Ua laʻi ka nohona i ke anu Hānuʻanuʻa i ka haliʻa A piʻo mau ke ānuenue I ka maka o ka ʻōpua E lei ʻoe i kuʻu aloha Puīa i ke ʻala o ka maile Naʻu ʻoe a mau loa Kīpona mau i ka puʻuwai |
Piʻiholo flutters in the ʻUlalena wind
Spreading red and yellow hues on the lehua My aloha wells up at the sight Of the beauty placed above Hui Aloha, aloha to you My home of protection Live, live long My home of the mountain Life is made enjoyable by the chill Piled up with fond memories The rainbow arches above In the face of the clouds Wear my aloha as your lei Imbued with the scent of maile You are mine forever Forever intense in my heart |
