`Ike I ke One Kani A`O Nohili (The Barking Sands of Nohili) - Chant

 

`Ike i ke one kani a`o Nohili
Me ka pahapaha lei a`o Polihale

`Ike i ka wai `ula a`o Mänä
Na niu e hola`i o Kaunalewa

Pa iho ka makani la he Kiu
`Ike `ia e ka noe la i Ni`ihau

Ho`ohaehae ana i ka näulu
Ka makani Mikioi la o Lehua

Püpü-kani-oe ko Kaua`i
Künihi Hä`upu `au i ke kai

Ha`ina `ia mai ana ka puana
Mokihana e ka pua la i `oi a`e

See the sounding sand of Nohili
And the sea lettuce for lei of Polihale

See the red water of Mänä
The coco palms poised aloft at Kaunlewa
When the "Spy" wind blows
Seen is the mist of Ni`ihau
 
Stirring up sudden showers is
The wind "Neat" of Lehua
 
The land shell is Kaua`i's
Steep Häupu juts into the sea
 
The story is told
Mokihana flower is choice

 

Source: Marmie Kaaihue: - This ancient chant arranged by Mahi Beamer is from the album "Hawaii's Mahi Beamer". Verse 1, Nohili is a point on the Barking Sands Beach at Kaua`i, derived from the crunching sound of the sand as one walks along the beach. It is a very great honor to receive the seaweed lei of pahapaha, unique to Kaua`i. The ridge and beach of Polihale (bosom of the house) is near Nohili. Verse 2, Kaunalewa was noted for its famous coconut grove. Verse 3, Kiu or spy wind is the name of the strong, cold, northwesterly wind of this area. Verse 4, Mikioi or neat is the strong, gusty wind of Lehua Island. This island was named for the lehua lei left by Hi`iaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele, for her brother, Käne`äpua, who decided to remain there, when he accompanied Pele on her first trip to Hawai`i. Verse 5, püpü-kani-oe (shell-sounding-long) the singing land shells of Kaua'i live underground in sand dunes far removed from the ocean. Ha`upu (recollection) is a peak in the Lihu`e district. Verse 6, Mokihana berry is the lei of Kaua`i