Click Title to Access Melody
- `O kau hana mau no ia
- `O ka ho`okipa i ke aloha
- A na`u i ho`oheno mua
- Ka makani `o Laulani
- Hui:
- He inoa kêia no Waipi`o
- `O Kahalelauokekoa
- I puia i ke `ala
- Onaona i ke ihu
E ka i`a hamau leo- E hi`ipoi malie nei
- I ka mea kâmeha`i
- O ua `âina nei
- `O ka ho`okipa i ke aloha
John Papa `I`i
- Thou art ever extending welcome
- So cordial and so genuine to all
- And I surely know that I've been favored
- To know the wind of Laulani
- Chorus:
- So cordial and so genuine to all
- I sing the praises of Waipi`o
- Of Kahalelauokekoa
- Where the fragrance of the flowers
- Fills the air and bid thee welcome
- Of Kahalelauokekoa
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- O fish that silence the voice
- Hold her gently in your arms
- The dearest treasure
- Of your homeland
- O fish that silence the voice
Source:King's Hawaiian Melodies - Some credit this mele to George Allen, others to Charles Hopkins, but all agree Mekia Kealakai co-composed this mele. Written for Irene Kahalelauokekoa Holloway, the daughter of John Papa I`i, and the family home at Waipi`o, Ewa, O`ahu. John I`i was an attendent to Kauikeouli, son of Kamehameha Nui who became Kamehameha III. Verse I, stanza 4, Laulani is a place in Waipi`o. Hui, stanza 2, Princess Victoria Kamamalu, sister of Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V, was the foster child of John I`i. The princess once found shelter beneath a koa tree and John named his daughter Kahalelauokekoa to commemorate this event. Verse 2 stanza 1, pipi and oysters are fish that silence the voice because oyster hunters use hand gestures and do not speak. Speech causes ripples in the water and makes it harder to find oysters. Verse 1 and hui translation from King's Hawaiian Melodies. Verse 2 translated by Mary Pukui. Copyright 1928, 1943, Charles E. King. Music clip by Lani Lee