Manu Kapalulu, translated to Quail, is one of the numerous songs and chants composed by Queen Lili'uokalani. Composed in November 1878, this was an admonishment from Liliʻuokalani to a disparaging remark. According to Hawaiian traditions lessons in life and morality were usually taught in music and riddles. Manu Kapalulu was about the queen's annoyance with someone.
This song has many allusion to Hawaiian mythology. The Kilohana in verse 1, stanza 2 is in Kalihi Valley on O'ahu and was the sacred home of Haumea and Wakea. Verse 2, stanzas 3 and 4 is an allusion to the old Hawaiian religion. Although Lili`uokalani embraced Christianity, she was very familiar with the practice of worshipping and feeding na aumakua (family gods). Kapo, the dark sorceress in verse 3, stanza 4, is Kapo`ula`kïna`u, the dual-natured goddess, daughter of Haumea and Wakea, and sister of Pele and Kamohoali`i. Her benevolent nature was Laka, the goddess of hula. This song also served as a mele inoa (name song) for Princess Ka'iulani
| Noho nani iluna ke ao ʻōpua | Beauty dwells on a rain cloud | |
| Kapu ʻihi kapu i Kilohana | Sacred at Kilohana | |
| Haiamū ihola ka lehua | The lehua trees is surrounded by | |
| I nā manu | The birds | |
| Hui: | Chorus: | |
| Kulikuli au iā ʻoe manu kapalulu | Be quiet, you quail | |
| Hana wale mai nō iaʻu | Who nags me | |
| He aha hoʻi ʻoe i koʻu manaʻo | You are nothing, in my opinion | |
| ʻAe nō hoʻi | Yes, indeed | |
| ʻŌlelo ana ʻoe i ko haʻi keʻe | You talk of the faults of others | |
| Eia iho nō me ʻoe | Yet there is | |
| Nā ʻaumakua peʻe i ka poli | An aumakua hiding in your bosom | |
| I aʻo lūʻau ʻia | That is fed sacrifices | |
| Kiʻina kahuna i Hawaiʻi | The darkness of Hawaiʻi is consulted | |
| Kūkulu nā haʻilona | Signs and omens are sought | |
| Kuhikuhi ke ola iā Kapo | Kapo is honored | |
| ʻO ia nō hoʻi | This is so, indeed | |
| Noho iho nā ʻoe ʻae pono iho | Stay and enjoy what you have | |
| I kou pōmaikaʻi nui | Your great blessing | |
| ʻIke ʻia ai he ulakolako | Your prosperity be known | |
| ʻO ia nō hoʻi | This is so, indeed |
Read more about this topic: Compositions By Liliuokalani