ʻO ʻoe kuʻu lei o Naupaka
Ke onaona a ke aloha
Hauʻoli mau kāua
I nā pua ʻala onaona
A pili mau loa kāua

He pua no ʻoe
Hoʻopa ʻia e ke kēhau
Ko maka palupalu
Mau momi ʻālohilohi

Maliu mai e kuʻu pua
Naʻu e inu i kou nani
Pūlama a mālama
ʻO Naupaka

You are my lei of Naupaka
The soft fragrance of love
We will always be happy
The flowers, so fragrant
Two of us, together forever

You are my flower
Touched by dew
Your gentle eyes
Radiant, like pearls

Turn to me, my blossom
Your beauty, mine to indulge
(I will) cherish and care for you
Naupaka

Source: Ferris collection - Naupaka (scaevola) is a shrub found in the mountains (naupaka kuahiwi) or near the beach (naupaka kahakai) that bears white flowers, sometimes streaked with purple, that look like half of a flower. The Kauaʻi legend, as told by Jacob Maka of Haena, surrounds the lovers Nanau and Kapaka who broke a hula kapu the night before their ʻūniki (graduation). Wrapped in their pōʻe1e cloaks, they fled across Limahuli stream, passing Waialoha spring and Maniniholo cave. They raced across the flats of Naue pursued relentlessly by their kumu. Reaching Lumahai beach, they separated, Nanau scampering up the cliffs and Kapaka hiding in the beach cave of Hoʻohila. As the kumu approached the cliffs, Kapaka emerged from the cave blocking the way, hoping to give her lover time to escape. Enraged, the kumu struck Kapaka dead and pressed up the cliff intent on punishing the other disobedient student. Far up the ridge, Nanau heard the screams of Kapaka and turned back to rescue his beloved. It was at Puʻuomanu he encountered the teacher and was struck mortally. Later that very same day, Lumahai fishermen discovered a plant, never before seen, growing on the spot where Kapaka died. The plant had fleshy leaves and small white fruit resembling congealed tears and half a flower. Returning to Puʻuomanu, the kumu found another strange plant with half a flower also, growing on the spot where Nanau died. There are several versions of the Naupaka legend in Hawaiian folklore, but all concern lovers that are separated forever, one banished to the mountains, the other to the beach. Translator unknown

Virginia Gann Carter