Kïlauea - by Figgs

 
Nani ka huila `o Kïlauea
I ka lawe mälie i ka lä`i
Kowali lua la e ka ho`ola`ila`i
Kapalili i ka `ili o ke kai
 
 
Hui:
Käu nänä naka pono nö ka i hola nö këia
I ka pu`uwai kapalili ho`i
Käu wili pono `ana i hola nö këia
I ka pu`uwai kapalili ho`i
 
 
Nani wale ho`i ka nohona ana iho
E walea `iki me Hanakahi
Pü`iwa au la hikilele i ka leo
Inä ua wale ka nahele
Splendid the propeller of the Kilauea
Smooth-running and quiet
It spins quietly
Quivering the surface of the sea
 
 
Chorus:
Perfect your twisting and turning
Thrills the heart
And then I go at it completely
O fluttering heart
 
 
Beautiful is the way of life
To relax a little with Hanakahi
I am startled at the sound
When it showers suddenly in the forest

 

Source: Hillier Collection Translater unknown - The Kilauea was an inter-island steamer that sailed between 1860-1877, probable date of this mele. Many songs portray the ship as a lover and the hui lyrics: huila (propeller), wili (screw) and Hanakahi (one task) suggest this be about an affair shortened by the departure of the ship. Perhaps this is the reason King David Kaläkaua used the pen name of Figgs.