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Pua Kukui O Molokaʻi - by David Burrows

Pua lehua o Hawaiʻi
Mokihana o Kauaʻi
O ka heke no pua i kaʻu ʻike
He pua kukui o Molokaʻi
He pua kukui o Molokaʻi

Roselani o Maui
Lei ʻilima Oʻahu
O ka heke no pua i kaʻu ʻike
He pua kukui o Molokaʻi
He pua kukui o Molokaʻi

Haʻina mai ka puana
Lei lehua o Hawaiʻi
Hoʻokahi no pua i kaʻu ʻike
He pua kukui o Molokaʻi
He pua kukui o Molokaʻi


Lehua blossom of Hawaiʻi
Mokihana of Kauaʻi
The best flower in my opinion is
The kukui flower of Molokaʻi
The kukui flower of Molokaʻi

Rose of Maui
ʻIlima wreath of Oʻahu
The best flower in my opinion is
The kukui flower of Molokaʻi
The kukui flower of Molokaʻi

Tell the refrain
Lehua wreath of Hawaiʻi
Only one flower in my opinion
The kukui flower of Molokaʻi
The kukui flower of Molokaʻi


Source: G. Cooke collection - The melody of this obscure mele that honors the flowers of the islands has been forgotten. Translation by Kaiu Kanoa