Hanohano Hanalei - Words & Music by Alfred Unauna Alohikea

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Hanohano Hanalei i ka ua nui
E pakika i kahi limu o Manuʻakepa
I laila hoʻi au i ʻike iho ai
I ka hana huʻi konikoni i ka ʻili

Aloha kahi one o pua rose
I ka hoʻopē ʻia e ka hunakai
ʻAkahi hoʻi au a ʻike i ka nani
Hanohano Hanalei i ka ua nui

Kilakila kahi wai nā Molokama
I ke kau ʻia mai hoʻi e ka ʻohu
He ʻohu hoʻi ʻoe no ka ʻāina
A Hanalei a e haʻaheo nei

Kilohi i ka nani Māmalahoa
I ka hoʻopē ʻia e ke kēhau
ʻElua wale iho nō māua
ʻEkolu i ka hone a ka ʻehu kai

Source: Na Mele O Hawaiʻi Nei - This song was composed about 1924. Manuʻakepa is a bright green seaweed, Molokama, a series of streams that flow thru Hanalei Valley, and Mamalahoa, a mountain peak. Alfred Unauna Alohikea (1884-1936) was born in Waipi`o Valley on the big island, but spent most of his life in Hanalei, Kauaʻi where he composed most of his music. A natural musician, he played by ear and could neither read nor write music. He was famous for his baritone voice and performed with the Royal Hawaiian Band, made one tour of the mainland (1901-02) and played ukulele, guitar, stand-up bass and saxophone. Music clip by Gippy Cooke

The glory of Hanalei is its heavy rain
Slippery seaweed of Manuʻakepa
There I felt
Tingling cool sensation of the skin

Greetings, o sand and rose flowers

Drenched by sea spray
Never have I seen such splendor
The glory of Hanalei is its heavy rain

Majestic streams of Molokama

Mist covered
You are the mist of the land
That Hanalei cherishes

Behold the beauty of Māmalahoa

Drenched by the dew
She and I are two
Three with the rustle of sea spray