Wa‘ewa‘e
[Photo: Young girl demonstrating Hawaiian string figures; Hawaiʻi; SP 103509.] Wa‘ewa‘e Happy Mele Monday! Today we feature a mele hei, or string figure chant, contributed to the collection by J.P. Hale. (Mele translation by Mary Kawena Pukui) Wa‘ewa‘e —- O Wa‘ewa‘e, Hō mai ka i‘a Give me fish ‘A‘ohe i‘a I have no fish Kā […]
No Hilo ‘oe
[Photo: View of Hilo town looking towards Kamehameha Ave. on Waianuenue St.; Hilo, Hawaiʻi.; Ca 1947. SP 120087.][Photo: Aerial view of Niuliʻi; Kohala, Hawaiʻi; Ca 1930. SP 73629.][Photo: Waterfront of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with Mokuʻaikaua Church (left) and Huliheʻe Palace (right); Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi.; Ca 1885. SP 77418.][Photo: Waipio Valley and the Hāmākua Coast with view of […]
Honouli
[Photo: Nihoa Island from the air; Ca 1933. SP 86351.] [Photo: 11th Photo Sec. B-2396. W. Lehua Island. From W. 500 Ft.; July 10, 1924. SP 215433.] Honouli Today we feature a prayer contributed to the collection by Theodore Kelsey. Images of Nihoa and Lehua are beautifully illustrated through the composer’s use of poetic language. […]
A Puʻuhānau Wau
[Photo: Waiheʻe Valley, Maui. Photographed by J.F. Rock. SP_215214.] Welo Hou A Puʻuhānau Wau Contributed to the collection by J.P Hale, today’s featured mele originates from the Island of Maui and employs the ʻAlae bird as a metaphor to describe people who spread scandalous tales. (Mele translation by Mary Kawena Pukui) A Puʻuhānau wau, aha I was […]
Flightless Flies in Hawai‘i
Flightless Flies in Hawai‘i by Neal L. Evenhuis, Senior Entomologist Entomology The common joke goes …“What do you call a fly without wings? A walk”. Actually, most just hop. But I’ll wager many people do not think that there even can be things called ‘flightless flies’. Well, in Hawai‘i we have more species of flightless […]
He Pule Kanu ʻAwa na Kāne
[Photo: Dish for ʻawa; Kānoa. This is a handmade kamani wood bowl with a flat bottom and a shellac finish. It is a bowl used to prepare and serve ʻawa. Photo copyright by David Franzen. SXH 128115.] He Pule Kanu ʻAwa na Kāne Today’s featured mele is a prayer for planting ‘awa. Often associated with […]
ʻO Kamakaʻeha, ʻo Liliʻu, ʻo Loloku
“Kamakaʻeha (the sore eyes), Liliʻu (the smarting), and Loloku (the pouring tears) were names given to Queen Liliʻuokalani. Kīnaʻu, daughter of Kamehameha I, was once troubled with sore eyes, and her physician kept her in a dark room until she became well again.
Kuʻu Makua i ka Hale Uluna Kanaka
Today we feature a composition written by Queen Kaʻahumanu. In this mele kanikau, Queen Kaʻahumanu expresses feelings of deep grief as she mourns the passing of her mother, Namahana.
Hanohano Kapulani i ka ulu hala
Today’s featured mele, composed for E.D Henriques by Lucy Peabody, expresses the deep love a parent feels for their child. Miss Peabody is best known for serving as a lady-in-waiting for Queen Emma and for her role in resurrecting the ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu in 1906.
A Waho Wau o Kalaeloa
Today’s mele was contributed to the collection by Peter Pakele of Hilo, Hawaiʻi. The composer of this piece mentions significant places, such as Puʻuloa, to illustrate the story behind this mele.
