E Nihi Ka Hele - by King David Kalākaua
Click Title to Access Melody E ka moana nui kai hohonu E lana mālie kou mau ʻale E ka makani nui ikaika E pā aheahe mālie ʻoe Hui: E nihi ka hele, mai hoʻopā Mai pūlale i ka ʻike a ka maka Hoʻokahi nō makamaka ʻo ke aloha A hea mai ʻo ka lani a e kipa ʻIke iā Kaleponi he ʻāina anu Ke hau hoʻokuakea i ka ʻili Lamalama i ka ʻili o ke kama Ka wahine i ka ʻiu o luna E hele me ka poina ʻole E huli ē ke alo i hope nei Eia kō lei kalaunu O ka ʻōnohi o Hawaiʻi	Great ocean, deep sea Let your stirring moods be gentle Great and mighty wind Blow gently Chorus: Tread softly, don't touch Don't be overwhelmed by what you see True friendship is love When royalty calls one to visit California, see, it is a cold land Snow that bleaches the skin Glowing skin of the Princess Lady of high station Go and do not forget To come back again Here is your crown lei Hawaiʻi is the heart
Source: In 1887, Queen Kapiʻolani visited California on her way to England to attend the Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The title, taken from the legend of Pele and Hiʻiaka, "e nihi ka hele mai hoʻolawehala " translates: walk softly and commit no offense. Hiʻiaka warns of the dangerous trip thru the forest of Panaʻewa and says "E nihi ka hele i uka o Puna mai ʻako i ka pua o lilo i ke ala o ka hewahewa" or "be cautious in the forests of Puna, do not pluck the flowers, lest you be lost in the pathways of errors". This song composed by King David Kalākaua for his Queen, is an expression of his love for her, a prayer for calm seas, an admonition to be cautious and careful in the cold of California, and a remembrance of his love, her duty as Queen, their nation and home. Translated by Henry Kaalakahi, Music clip by Kuaʻana, Hawaiian Text edited by Puakea Nogelmeier