Hawaii Aloha

"Hawaiʻi Aloha," also called "Kuʻu One Hanau," is a revered anthem of the native Hawaiian people and Hawaiʻi residents alike. Written by Lorenzo Lyons, a Christian minister who died in 1886, "Hawai‘i Aloha" was considered by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 1967 and by the Hawaiʻi State Constitutional Convention in 1978 to become the official state song, but "Hawaiʻi Pono‘ī," written by King David Kalākaua and composed by Royal Hawaiian Band Master Henri Berger, was chosen instead.

"Hawaiʻi Aloha" is typically sung in both small and large, formal and informal gatherings, both in Hawaiʻi and abroad, while participants stand in a circle with joined hands. It is a feature of the inauguration of the Governor of Hawaiʻi (called Ke Kiaʻaina), and the opening sessions of the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives and Hawaiʻi State Senate. Traditionally, the last chorus is sung with hands raised above heads; the act of raising hands is especially important to advocates of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

E Hawaiʻi e kuʻu one hānau e
Kuʻu home kulaīwi nei
ʻOli nō au i nā pono lani ou
E Hawaiʻi, aloha ē

O Hawaiʻi, O sands of my birth
My native home
I rejoice in the blessings of heaven
O Hawaiʻi, aloha.

Hui:
E hauʻoli e nā ʻōpio o Hawaiʻi nei
ʻOli ē! ʻOli ē!
Mai nā aheahe makani e pā mai nei
Mau ke aloha, no Hawaiʻi

Chorus:
Happy youth of Hawaiʻi
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Gentle breezes blow
Love always for Hawaiʻi.

E haʻi mai kou mau kini lani e
Kou mau kupa aloha, e Hawaiʻi
Nā mea ʻōlino kamahaʻo no luna mai
E Hawaiʻi aloha ē
(hui)

May your divine throngs speak
Your loving people, O Hawaiʻi
The holy light from above
O Hawaiʻi, aloha.
(chorus)

Nā ke Akua e mālama mai iā ʻoe
Kou mau kualona aloha nei
Kou mau kahawai ʻōlinolino mau
Kou mau māla pua nani ē
(hui)

God protects you
Your beloved ridges
Your ever glistening streams
Your beautiful flower gardens.
(chorus)

Listen to an excerpt: (The Rose Ensemble) http://www.roseensemble.org/recordings/hawaii.html

Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame
Patrons
  • Kalākaua
  • Leleiohoku II
  • Likelike
  • Liliuokalani
1995
  • Alfred Apaka
  • Helen Desha Beamer
  • Henri Berger
  • Sol K. Bright Sr.
  • Keaulumoku
  • Joseph Kekuku
  • Charles E. King
  • Lena Machado
  • Mary Pukui
  • Victoria K. I`i Rodrigues
1996
  • Albert "Sonny" Cunha
  • Sol Hoʻopiʻi
  • Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs
  • Haunani Kahalewai
  • Mekia Kealaka`i
1998
  • John Kameaaloha Almeida
  • Irmgard Farden Aluli
  • Robert Alexander Anderson
  • Bina Mossman
  • David Nape
  • Songs honored: Hawaii Aloha, Ua Like No A Like, Kaulana Na Pua, Makalapua and Na Ali`i
1999
  • The Royal Hawaiian Band
2000
  • Maddy Lam
  • Hawaiian Chanters: Keaulumoku, Ka`opulupulu, Kapoukahi, Kapihe and Hewahewa
2001
  • Haili Church Choir
  • Genoa Keawe
2002
  • Ray Kinney
  • Gabby Pahinui
  • Songs honored: Alika, Kalama'ula, Wehiwehi 'Oe
2003
  • Kamehameha Schools
2004
  • Kahauanu Lake
  • Kawaiahaʻo Church
2005
  • Alfred Alohikea
  • Kahauanu Lake Trio
  • Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln
  • Henry W. Waia`u
2006
  • Mahi Beamer
  • The Brothers Cazimero
  • Charles K. L. Davis
  • Linda Dela Cruz
  • Nina Keali`iwahamana
  • Emma Veary
2007
  • Bill Ka'iwa
  • Jesse Kalima
  • Eddie Kamae
  • Donald McDiarmid Sr.
  • Peter Moon
  • Marlene Sai
  • John Pi'ilani Watkins
2008
  • Joseph Ae'a
  • Elizabeth Leilu'uhipolani Alohikea
  • Anuhea Audrey Brown
  • Thomas Kihei Desha Brown
  • Alice Angeline Johnson
  • John Keola Lake
  • Albert Po'ai Nahale-a Sr.
  • Leo Nahenahe Singers
  • Palani Vaughan Jr.
  • James Ka'upena Wong Jr.
2009
  • Hui Ohana
  • Thomas Sylvester Kalama
  • Dennis Kamakahi
  • Ma'iki Aiu Lake
  • Kui Lee
2010
  • Pat Namaka Bacon
  • Andy Cummings
  • Ernest Kaʻai
  • Richard Kauhi Quartet
  • Keali'i Reichel
2011
  • Joseph Ilalaole
  • Benny Kalama
  • Sam Li'a Kalainaina Jr.
  • Akoni Mika
  • Alice Namakelua
  • Olomana
  • James Pihanui Kuluwaimaka Palea


Famous quotes containing the word hawaii:

    One can think of life after the fish is in the canoe.
    Hawaiian saying no. 23, ‘lelo No’Eau, collected, translated, and annotated by Mary Kawena Pukui, Bishop Museum Press, Hawaii (1983)