Nani Moloka`i - Helen Smythe Ayat & Ida Hanakahi

Click Title to Access Melody

He nani Molokaʻi
Nui a Hina
I ka ulu kukui
Aʻo Lanikaula

He nani Hālawa
I kau ike
He wailele
Aʻo Moaʻula

He nani Kalamaʻula
I ka ulu o ka niu
He ʻāina hoʻopulapula
O Kalanianaʻole

He nani Hoʻolehua
I ka ulu o ka hala
He waiwai ui
Ke loaʻa mai

He nani Kalaupapa
Hoʻokipa malihini
Haʻina mai ka puana
A he nani Molokaʻi



Beautiful Molokaʻi,
Child of Hina
And its famous kukui grove
Of Lanikaula

Beautiful Hālawa,
In my sight
The waterfall
Of Moaʻula

Beautiful Kalamaʻula
With its coconut trees
Homestead land
Of Kalanianaʻole

Beautiful Hoʻolehua
With the pineapple
Brings wealth
To the community

Beautiful Kalaupapa
Welcomes visitors
Tell the refrain
Beautiful Molokaʻi

Source: G. Cooke collection - This mele composed in the1930’s honors the prominent areas of Molokaʻi and their claim to fame. Hālawa (curve), Moaʻula (red chicken), Kalamaʻula (red torch or red lama tree), Kalanianaʻole (chief without measure), Ho`olehua (no seed) and Kalaupapa (the flat plain). Translator unknown. Music Clip by Gippy Cooke