Kuʻu Tūtū (My Grandmother) - Words by Mary K. Pukui, Music by Maddy Lam

Aloha au i kuʻu tūtū lā
I ka nui loko maikaʻi
E lohe mau ʻia ana lā
Kona leo heahea

ʻO ka holokū kalakoa lā
Ka muʻumuʻu lima nui
Ka hainakā lei kilika lā
ʻO kona wehi mau ia

ʻO ka humu kapa pohopoho lā
Ka ʻulana i ka pāpale
ʻO ke kui lei pua ʻala lā
A ʻoia kona makemake

Aia ma kona lumi lā
He noho paipai nui
He mea hoʻoluliluli lā
I kāna lei moʻopuna

Haʻina mai ka puana lā
No kuʻu tūtū aloha
E lohe mau ʻia ana lā
Kona leo heahea

I love my grandmother
For her great kindness
She is always heard
Welcoming everyone

A calico holokū
A wide sleeved muʻumuʻu
A silk neckerchief
These she usually wears

Sewing on a patchwork quilt
Weaving a hat
Stringing leis of fragrant flowers
These things she likes to do

Inside her room
Is a big rocking chair
In which she cradles
Her beloved grandchild

So ends my song
Of my dear grandma
Who is always heard
Welcoming everyone


Source: Pamai Tenn collection Translated by Mary Pukui - © 1955 Criterion Music Corp