Iiwi Ao Hilo

Source: Kawai Cockett Beautiful Kauai Album - This song was written for the Hawaiʻi Island float in the 1950 Kamehameha Day Parade and honors the birthplace of the composer. ʻIʻwi is a orange-red bird with black wings and a long, curved, salmon colored bill. The red feathers were prized and used in capes and helmets. ʻIʻiwi was often symbolic of a lover in Hawaiian poetry. A favorite flower to feed on was the ohia lehua and the bird and flower are often coupled as sweethearts. Translated by Kini Sullivan

ʻĪʻiwi Aʻo Hilo - by Alice Ku`uleialohapoina`ole Namakelua
Haʻaheo Hawaiʻi moku o Keawe ʻOhuʻohu i ka pua aʻo ka lehua Ka lehua ʻula me ka lehua kea Pua hoʻohihi a nā manu Hui: ʻIʻiwi e ka manu kau i ka ʻiu Hoʻolaʻi i ka lau lāʻau O ka ʻūlili a ka leo o ke kāhuli Honihoni i ke ahiahi ʻIke i ka wai welawela aʻo Puna Me ke kumu kukui a nā ʻliʻi ʻAuhea ʻoe Hawaiʻi e ō mai ʻĀina hanau o Paiʻea Hopoe ka wahine lewa i ke kai Hoʻoipo ana hoʻi me Lohiau Luana ʻia koʻu manaʻo Hawaiʻi no la e ka ʻoi	Cherished is Hawaiʻi, island of Keawe Adorned with lehua flowers Red and white lehua flowers Flowers fancied by the birds Chorus: ʻIʻiwi is the bird that perches high Poised aloft in the leaves of the trees The whistle of the voice of the tree shell answers Sweet and soft in the evening Seen is the warm waters of Puna With the foundation of knowledge for the young chief Where are you, Hawaiʻi, answer your call Birthplace of Paiʻea, (Kamehameha Nui) Hopoe is the woman swaying in the sea The sweetheart leaves with Lohiau Content in my thoughts Hawaiʻi is the best
ʻIʻiwi Bird	Source: Kawai Cockett Beautiful Kauai Album - This song was written for the Hawaiʻi Island float in the 1950 Kamehameha Day Parade and honors the birthplace of the composer. ʻIʻwi is a orange-red bird with black wings and a long, curved, salmon colored bill. The red feathers were prized and used in capes and helmets. ʻIʻiwi was often symbolic of a lover in Hawaiian poetry. A favorite flower to feed on was the ohia lehua and the bird and flower are often coupled as sweethearts. Translated by Kini Sullivan