Nani Kauaʻi - Traditional

A he nani Kauaʻi ʻeā
ʻO kuʻu ʻāina

Ke one Nohili ʻeā
E kani mai nei

Ka wai ʻanapanapa ʻeā
I ke kula o Mānā

ʻO ke kaupoku hale ʻeā
Lau aʻo Limaloa

A he nani Hāʻupu ʻeā
Ka ua noe o Koloa

A he nani Lihuʻe ʻeā
I ka ua Pāʻupili

A he nani Hanalei ʻeā
I ka wai o Nāmolokama

A he nani Haʻena ʻeā
I nā pali ʻo ahi

A he nani Kalalau ʻeā
Nā pali o Koʻolau

Haʻina ka puana ʻeā
A he nani Kauaʻi

Beautiful Kauaʻi
My homeland

The sand of Nohili
Makes sound

The sparkling water
On the plain of Mānā

The roofs of houses
Are many of Limaloa

Beautiful is Hāʻupu
The misty rain of Koloa

Beautiful is Lihuʻe
In the Pāʻupili rain

Beautiful is Hanalei
With the falls of Nāmolokama

Beautiful is Haʻena
With the cliffs where the firebrands were hurled

Beautiful is Kalalau
And the cliffs of Koʻolau

The end of my song
Beautiful is Kauaʻi

Source: "Na Mele O Hawaiʻi" by West Maui Hawaiian Civic Club - Verse 2, Sounding sands of Nohili is known today as Barking Sands.The dry weather causes a dull whoofing sound when one walks on the sand .Verse 3, the sparkling water, or the water that deceives, refers to the mirages often seen in this area. Mānā means arid which describes this region. Verse 4 refers to the ghost houses of Limaloa (long-arm) the god of mirages and tricks. A mirage of a village with a man walking about, can be see at a certain phase of the moon. Verse 5, Hāʻupu (fond recollections) is the hill that overlooks Nāwiliwili bay on one side and Kīpūkai on the other. There is said to be a likeness of Queen Victoria on the side facing Nāwiliwili. Verse 6, Paʻupili (touch than cramp) is the cold rain of Lihuʻe. When the skin is touched with this rain, one cramps with cold. Verse 7, Hanalei is famous for its taro patches fed by the waters of Nāmolokama, the name of the mountain and waterfall at the back of the valley. Verse 8, Haʻena (red hot) tells of a custom unique to Kauaʻi. When the wind is right, experts hurl firebrands from the cliffs at night. The brands are caught by an updraft of winds and float in the air. To catch a firebrand before it touches the ground, and to burn your arm with it, is proof of going to Kauaʻi and/or confessing your love for someone. Translation by Mary Pukui