Kananaka
The legendary mermaid Kananaka is the subject of this song. The temptress mesmerizes the men who are borne away (die) in the embrace of her love. It is an old song with at least a few variations. The chorus of this version may be more contemporary than the verses of the Kananaka legend.
Nani wale a ka mahina
O ka lipoa o Kananaka
Poina `ole a e hele ana la
Hali hali hali o ke kai
Hui:
Ioe, ioe, ioe, ioe, la
Ua pa`a `oe i ka pohaku
A ke kanaka
Na wai ka hana
A i ka `a `ana, a ika pahu `ana
A i ka pehu `ana, a i ka push `ana
A i ka pohaku
A ke kanaka
`O ka pa konane a ka mahina
Ho`ola`ila`i ana i ka po la`i
Konikoni ana i ka iwi hilo
Hali hali hali o ke kai
Ha`ina mai ka puana la
O ka lipoa o Kananaka
Poina `ole a e hele ana la
Hali hali hali o ke kai.
How beautiful is the moon
Of the lipoa seaweed of Kananaka
Don't forget to go
Borne on by the sea
Chorus:
Tra la la la, tra la la
You have been smitten by the stone
Of a man
Who did this?
The ignition, the thrusting,
The swelling, the pushing,
Of the stone
Of the man
The silvery gleam of the moon
Relaxing in the night's serenity
Causing the thigh bone to palpitate
Borne on by the sea
This is the story
Of the lipoa seaweed of Kananaka
Don't forget to go
Borne on by the sea
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