Aia i ka u ka o Piʻihonua
Ke kîhāpai pua ulumāhiehie
I laila au la ʻike i ka nani
O nā pua ʻala a he nui wale
Hoʻohihi nā manu o ke kuahiwi
Nā ʻiʻiwi ma ka pōlena
I ka ʻono i ka wai o nā pua
O Moanikeʻala i ka uluwehiwehi
Mahalo iā ʻoe e ka hoa aloha
I ka hoʻokipa e nā malihini
Eia kō lei poina ʻole
ʻO Leimakani, Leionaona
Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana
Moanikeʻala i ka uluwehiwehi
Hea aku mākou e ō mai ʻoe
Kimo o ka uka ʻiuʻiu he inoa
-
|
- James Kimo
Henderson
|
In the uplands of Piʻihonua
A flower garden in beautiful
array
There I see the beauty
Of the flowers, fragrant, in great
profusion
The birds of the forest are
attracted here
The yellow eyed ʻiʻiwi
At the sweet nectar of the
flowers
Of Moanikeʻala's beautiful
gardens
Thank you dear friend
For gracious hospitality to
visitors
Here is your unforgettable
beloved
Leimakani, Leionaona
The story is told
Moanikeʻala, beautifully
verdant
We call, you answer
Kimo of the highlands, your
namesong
|
Source: Songs
of Helen Desha Beamer, © 1953 Harriett Beamer Magoon - Composed for James Kimo
Henderson, "James of the Highlands", a poetic reference to
Scotland, his birthplace. Moanikeʻala was the name of the
Henderson home in Piʻihonua, above Hilo. Leimakani was Kimo
Henderson's wife. |