Wahiikaʻahuʻula - Words by Ruth Lilikalani, Music by Charles E. King

He inoa kēia nou e Kalani
E ka uʻi nohea o Hawaiʻi nei

ʻO ʻoe nō ka heke i ka uʻi `ike
O ka helu ʻekahi o ke onaona

Ua kaʻapuni au a puni Kaleponi
Ua ʻike i ka nani o American Beauty

ʻO ʻoe nō ka heke i kaʻu ʻike lā
Ka hau nani o Hawaiʻi nei

Nāna e haulani o Hale Aliʻi
Ka paepae kapu a Liloa

Haʻina ka puana i lohe ʻia
O Wahi-i-kaʻahuʻula he inoa ē


 This is a praise for you, o princess
Lovely beauty of Hawaiʻi

You are the greatest person in my sight
Number one in sweetness

I have gone all around California
And have seen the American Beauty

To me, you are the greatest
The beautiful snow of Hawaiʻi

She will beautify the palace
The sacred platform of Liloa

This ends my praise that all may hear
The name of Wahi-i-ka-ʻahuʻula
Source: King's Hawaiian Melodies - This mele was dedicated to Princess Kawananakoa, wife of David Kawananakoa, nephew of Queen Kapiolani. Ruth Lilikalani was a talented hula teacher and dancer who often visited the home of the princess. Translated by Mary Pukui© 1923, 1943 Charles E. King