Meet the author: Kauwila Tai

Fragrance blowing in the Makani
Carrying memories

Pikake, ever so white with fragrant beauty
Kawailani, offering her gift of adornment to friends and family
Wafts of fragrant pikake exhuming perfume essence everywhere
The smell so strong
Reminds me of Sis Isa

Laua`e, smells like the mountain, earthy and full of life
Sis Jojo shades her laua`e leaves under a Kukui nut tree up in Kuli`ou`ou Valley
So green and fresh, ready to be picked and layed on the lū`au table for decoration

Lā`ī, steaming in the imu at Wai`anae Valley
Adding moisture and flavor to the recipe of Brother Herbert’s `ono Kalua pig
The smell moistens my mouth and makes my taste buds tingle

Lā`ī, freshly picked from the yard
Stripped and fastened around the waist
Brother Tony sways his skirt to the tapping of the ipu
Dancing to the ancient mele of our kupuna

Hala, sharp edged leaves, aromatic scent
Bearing red fruit woven into lei
In the scorching heat of Waipahu, the hala tree offers cool shade as you enter Brother Sabu’s hale

Hāwanawana, the misty ocean spray
Spreading out into the wind as it hits the kahakai at Waimānalo
Sis Rose sleeps peacefully with the smell of salty air
She is caressed by the sound of waves hitting the sand and echoing across the Ko`olau Mountains
Kaulana `o Waimānalo

Mountain apple, mango, popolo berries
The sweetness of fruit drifts by as the valley wind blows in
Bringing back memories of my childhood in Kalihi
Pio Place, Mama, Papa, Brothers and Sisters
Forever in my memory

‘Onaona
Fragrance blowing in the Makani
Reminiscence