Meet the artist: Mālia Koʻiulaokawaolehua Helelā

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Manu O Ka Pali Kahakō

He Mele Inoa No Karen Nishimoto

1

Holo ka makani ke koa’e

‘Oi aku i nā pali

E ho’opi’i, e ho’opi’i

 

2

Ua noho ka manu i nā pali

No ka Manawa lō’ihi

Ua ho’omaika’ai ‘o ia

 

3

Hā’ule na ahi mai nā pali Kē’ē

Nalo koli’i nā huna’ahi

Ua lele akula ke koa’e kea

 

4

Ha’ina ‘ia mai ana kapuna

Ke koa’e, ka manu o ka pali

Ka manu o ka pali kahakō.

 

 

Unuhina:

1

The tropicbird rides the wind

There by the cliffs

Turning into the wind, turning into the wind

 

2

The bird has resided by the cliffs

For a long time

She has made all things right and pono

 

3

Fire falls from the cliffs at Kē’ē

The sparks gradually disappear

The white tropicbird has flown away

 

4

This is the story

Of the tropicbird, the bird of the pali

The bird of the steep cliff.