Lei `O Kohala
This song was written to commemorate a visit to Kohala for the North Kohala Millennium Reunion in the summer of 2000. It is dedicated to Mrs. Ewalina Solomon and family, Anuty Lei Kahanu Girelli, Aunty Maryann Lim and to the people of Kohala for the hospitality extend to the composer and friend Kekoa Wong. Performed in the key of G, modulates to A.
We first met Kaha'i Topolinski, when we played for his Halau for the King Kamehameha Hula Competition. This was one of his competition numbers, we instantly fell in love with the song, and approached him about recording it.
Ke la`i nei au me ku`u hoa
Ku`u lei hinano a`o Kohala
A he konikoni lua `ala i ka poli
He aloha no ka wahine o Kapa`au
Ke noho nei au me ku`u pua
Ku`u pua rose lani o Kohala
Ua nani i ka waokele o Kamehameha
Honi mai kaua i ke kilihune o Hauala
Ke noho nei au me ku`u maka
Ku`u pua koa melemele o Kohala
Kilohi mai i ka nani o Pololu
Honi ihu mai i ka wai o Kaha`i-a-hema
Ke noho nei au me ku`u hiwa
Ku`u lei lana mana`o o Kohala
E ho`ala ana ku`u mana`o `a`ala
Ku`u ipo au, `au`au i ke kai o Pololu
Ke noho nei au me ku`u "beauty"
Ku`u "sweet blossom" o Kohala
Ho`onanea me ka "fancy"
lei lau li`i
I ka piko o `Awini me Hula`ana ma
Ke noho nei au me ku`u `i`ini
Ku`u lei lehua haku o Kohala
Hone mai ka lihipua o Lilinoe
Nou e ka lei kau i lanakila
Puana Kaulana lei o Kohala
Ka hale lau rose o ke koa
Ho`oipoipo la me ku`u `ala
Nani no `oe ke aloha ka unu pa`a
Here I sit with my friend
My adornment the hinano of Kohala
A breeze stirring the bosom full with passion
For the love of the lady of Kapa`au
Here I relax with my companio\n
My royal beauty rose of Kohala
How lovely the uplands of Kamehameha
Come let's romance in the mist of Hauala
Here I repose with my favorite one
My golden, yellow koa blossom of Kohala
Gaze above the beauty of Pololu
Inhale the essence of Kaha`i-a-hema
Here I rest with my choice one
My hopeful adornment of Kohala
Entrancing memories are recalled
My sweetheart and I bathing in the sea at Pololu
Here I linger with my young beauty
My "sweet blossom" of Kohala
Content with the "fancy" lei of small leaf maile
In the uplands of `Awini at Hula`ana
Here I embrace the one I love
My adornment of lehua fashioned of Kohala
Come, kiss the petals of Lilinoe
For you the adornment placed in victory
Sing the praise of Kohala's famous lei
The house adorned with roses and koa
Romancing, loving my beloved
Beautiful art thou, firm in love's embrace
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