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Mahalo E Hilo Hanakahi - John P. Watkins 

Mahalo e Hilo Hanakahi
Me ka lehua aʻo Panaʻewa
Me ke aloha poina 'ole
O ka malihini
 
Ua nani uluwehiwehi
Ke ʻike aku i ka nani
Me ke aloha lā o ka makamaka
Mahalo a nui
 
O ʻoe ka heke o nā pua
Ka lehua aʻo Panaʻewa
Me ka maile ʻala onaona lā
Poʻina ʻole ia
 
Haʻina mai ka puana
Mahalo e Hilo Hanakahi
Me nā kini makamaka aloha
O ka ʻāina
Thanks to Hilo of Hanakahi
And the lehua of Panaʻewa
Your welcome is unforgettable
To the visitor
 
This place is beautiful and verdant
See the beauty
The friendly and loving people
Many thanks
 
You are the best of the natives
The lehua of Panaʻewa
And the fragrant maile
So unforgettable
 
Tell the story
Thanks to Hilo of Hanakahi
The friendly and loving people
Of the land


Source: Halemanu Collection - Hanakahi, a district of Hilo was named for an ancient chief of Hawaʻii. Panaʻewa is a forest. The 3 sections of Hilo are: 1 - Hilo one (sands of Hilo situated near the sea), 2 - Hilo Hanakahi (Hilo of Hanakahi, inland toward Keaukaha, 3 - Hilo pali ku (Hilo of the upright cliff, east of Wailuku river).