A Koolau Au


A Koʻolau wau ʻike i ka ua
E kokolo a lepo mai ana e ka ua
E kaʻi kū ana kaʻi mai ana e ka ua

E nū mai ana ka ua i ke kuahiwi
E poʻi ana e ka ua me he nalu
E puka, e puka mai ana ka ua

Weli, ke one i ka heli ia e ka ua
Holowai nā kahawai
Koke wale nā pali
Hae e ka wai ka ilina he ʻīlio
He ʻīlio hae ke nahu nei

From Koʻolau, I watch with the rain
It comes with swirling dust
The rain passed in columns, it passed by

The rain roars in the mountain
It sounds like the roar of the surf
It smites, it smites, now the land

The sands were pelted by the rain
The creek beds filled, water ran down
It poured down the hillsides
The waters became angry and raged like a dog
The dog rages, he bites to be free


Source: Bishop Museum, Mader Collection 1930-35, Kanahele Kaʻio tradition. This hula tells of Hiʻiaka's journey to Kauaʻi to bring Lohiau back to Pele. Among the many obstacles she encountered was the rain at Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu. Only the first 6 lines are usually performed today.