Liliʻu Ē - Chant by Antone Kaoʻo, Music by John Kaulia

Ē Lilʻu ē
Noho nani mai
Kō kino ē
Kiʻi milimili

Kō maka ē
Nōweo nei
Kō papālina
Ē kukū ana

Kō poʻohiwi
Ani peʻahi
Kō poli ê
Nahenahe wale

Kō kuli ē
Nuku moi ʻoe
Kō wāwae
Pahu aʻe i luna

Haʻina ʻia mai
Ana ka puana
Ē Liliʻu ē
E noho nani mai

Ē ō ē Liliʻu
I kou inoa
Ka hae kalaunu
O Hawaiʻi nei

 

    
Antone Kaoʻo

O Liliʻu
Sitting so beautifully
Your person
We fondly touch|

Your eyes
Sparkle
Your cheeks
Stand out 

Your shoulders
Wave like a fan
Your bosom
Is so soft 

Your knees
Like a moi fish nose
Your feet
Are lifted up 

Tell
The refrain
Of Liliʻu
Sitting beautifully 

Answer, Liliʻu
To your name
The crowning glory
Of Hawaiʻi

Source: Thomas T Shirai Jr., Great-great- grand nephew of Antone Kaoʻo, Hula master from Waialua) - This chant was originally composed for Queen Kapiʻolani (Ē Kapiʻolani ē) and modified for dedication to Queen Liliʻuokalani. Also known as the Queen's Hula, Kaoʻo wanted to express his loyalty and aloha for Queen Liliʻuokalani. Moi is the threadfish. ©1923, 43 Charles E. King

Antone Kaoʻo


Queen Liliʻuokalani