ʻAnoʻai - Traditional |
|
| ʻAnoʻai kuʻu wehi lā |
Greetings to my love In the Kanilehua rain Beautiful is the lehua blossom Of Hilo Hanakahi. My sweetheart is In the sea of Mokuola. Intermingled with the fragrance Of the hala of Puna. Tell of my love In the Kanilehua rain |
| Source: Hiona collection - This ancient chant set to music, honors Hanakahi (deeds-done-in-unison), an ancient peace-loving chief who ruled the Hilo district. Wehi, an adornment is a sweetheart and Kanilehua (rain that sings upon the lehua) is the name of the Hilo rain. The red ʻohiʻa lehua is the symbol of the island of Hawaiʻi. Mokuola or Island of Life, is in Hilo Bay. Legend says, if one swam around Mokuola 3 times, health would be gained. Umbilical cords of babies were deposited there to insure a healthy life. Puna was famous for its hala (pandanus) and the natives of the area were skillful weavers of the leaves. Translation by Kaiu Kanoa. Hawaiian Text edited by Puakea Nogelmeier | |