Lei Hala O Kaua`i -
Words & music by Alice Namakelua
He lei kāhiko mau ʻoe noʻu
Hoʻohihi ia ʻoe e ka lehulehu
Ua mānai ia me ka lauaʻe
Ke ko mai nei a he a ka makani
E hali ana i ko ʻala onaona
A naʻu no ʻoe aʻe lei aʻe
A kau ma neia kīpoʻohiwi
Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
E kuʻu lei hala me ka lauaʻe
Haʻina hou mai ana ka puana
Kāhiko mau ʻoe no kuʻu kino
Alice Namakelua
A lei to deck me with
You are admired by the people
It is strung with the lauaʻe fern
The soft breeze of wind blows
Bringing me your fragrance
I shall wear you
Over my shoulders
The story is told
Of my hala lei with lauaʻe fern
Again, I tell the story
Of the lei that will deck this body of mine forever
Source: "Aunty Alice Namakelua’s Lifetime Hawaiian Compositions" - The composer spent 4 1/2 months on Kaua`i in 1959, teaching hula, singing, and ukulele. The hala was in season and she wore hala lei every day because she loved hala leis. She composed this song Sept 6, 1959, in memory of her stay in Kaua`i at the home of Senator Francis M. F. and Ruth Ching at Kalaheo. Translation by Alice Namakelua. Copyright 1973, Heinz Guenther Gerhard Pink