Ka Uahi O Kō Paka (The Smoke of Your Tobacco) - Traditional


I hewa i ka uahi aʻo kō paka
ʻIke ʻia mai ʻoe a he ipo naʻu

Mamina wale au i kō hulu manu
I ka hehikū ʻia e ka ʻōʻō

ʻAuhea wale ʻoe e ka ʻōʻō
Eia i ka poli i pumehana ai

Huli aʻe ku`u alo la a i hope
A he mea komo hewa e holuholu ana

ʻI mai ʻoe iaʻu he aloha kou
Ua like kō aloha me ka ʻōmole

Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
ʻIke ʻia mai ʻoe a he ipo naʻu

The smoke of your tobacco was at fault
And you became my lover.

I dislike harming your bird feathers
To have it trampled by an O'o bird.

Hearken to me oh O'o bird
You'll find warmth here in my bosom.

When I turned to look behind me
A rogue sneaked in to bounce.

You told me that you loved me
But your love is like a bottle, glossy and cutting

This concludes my song
For you who became my lover.


Source: Hailama Farden Collection - Recorded by Ida Keli`i Chun "Memories of Old Hawai`i" CD. This early love song was taught to Ida by Joseph Kahaulelio and cautions one to beware of lovers who appear and are as fleeting as the smoke of their cigarettes. Translation from Henry Pa Collection