Beautiful Māhealani Moon - by John K. Almeida

Kaulana kou nani mālamalama
E beautiful Māhealani moon

Nāu i hali aku i koʻu aloha
A loaʻa kuʻu ipo ʻo ʻanoʻi pua

Kuʻu pua, kuʻu lei, kuʻu onaona
O lovely moonbeam, kiss her for me

Me ʻoe ka welina o koʻu aloha
E ka liko pua i ke kakahiaka

ʻO ka nahenahe nō me ka mali leo
Maliu i ke onaona lima

Mahalo i kou nani mālamalama
E beautiful Māhealani moon


Famed is the beauty and brightness
Of the beautiful full moon

It was you who bore my love to her
And found my sweetheart the choicest of flower

My blossom, my wreath, my fragrant one
O lovely moonbeam, kiss her for me

With you is my love in its entirety
O tender leaf bud of the morning

To whom I speak softly in tender tones
And touch with gentle fingers

I admire and thank you beautiful light
Oh beautiful full moon
 

 

Source: Na Mele Aloha - Translated by Mary Pukui, Hawaiian Text edited by Puakea Nogelmeier