Campaign mele for William Heen
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, printed on June 6, 1919.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
Election time is upon us once again. While we still see sign waving and posters hung in shop windows and on the next-door neighbor’s fence, campaign mele have all but disappeared.
The following is one for William Haʻehaʻe Heen, when he was in the race for City and County Attorney in 1919.
Image: “He Hula no William Heen.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, June 6, 1919, p. 3.
HE HULA NO WILLIAM HEEN.
A HULA SONG FOR WILLIAM HEEN.
The diamond pin upon your breast
Glitters for all times
ʻO William Heen kou inoa.
Haku ʻia e MRS. MARY ROBINS,
Image: “Ka Lunakanawai William H. Heen.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, June 6, 1919, p. 1.
Other William Heen political mele:
“Mele no William Heen,” unattributed, Kuokoa, November 1, 1923.
“He Ohu Lei no W. H. Heen,” by S. K. K., Kuokoa, November 15, 1923.
“He Inoa no Ha’eha’e,” by Helen K. Davis, Kuokoa, November 15, 1923.
For much more on the subject, see: Eleanor Williamson, “Hawaian Chants and Songs Used in Political Campaigns.” In Directions in Pacific Traditional Literature: Essays in Honor of Katherine Luomala, edited by Adrienne L. Kaeppler and H. Arlo Nimmo, pp 135-156. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1976.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
