Ka Manu Kikaha `Olu
Chad Takatsugi wrote this song for the late Lani "Dear" Custino and of her home below Wa`ahila. Chad spent a good amount of time with Aunty Dear, and learned alot from her. Custino was a noted hula dancer and the composer compares her to a "graciously gliding bird... lovely in its ascent in the fragrance." Performed in the key of D, modulate to G, then finally to C.
Aia i ka uka ka nahele
He manu e mele mai
Lohe maila i ka leo
O ka manu kikaha `olu
Pumehana i ka la
Pulupe i ka ua Lililehua
Nohea ka pi`ina i ke onaona
Nohea ka pi`ina i ke onaona
`Ike `ia ka nani a`o Wa`ahila
Me na pua i ho`oulu ai
`Auhea wale `oe
E ka manu kikaha `olu
In the wooded uplands
There is a bird who sings to me
I have heard the voice
Of the graciously gliding bird
Sun-warmed
Washed by the Lililehua rain
Lovely is the ascent in the fragrance
Lovely is the ascent in the fragrance
Beheld is the beauty of Wa`ahila
With its blossoms that you have cultured
Where are you
O graciously gliding bird
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