O ka heke aʻo nā pu
Ka uwila ma ka hikina e
Mālamalama Hawaiʻi e
Kuʻi e ka lono Pelekani e
A lohe ke kuʻini ʻo Palani e
Na wai e ka pua i luna e
Na Kapaʻakea he makua e
Haʻina ʻia mai ka puana e
Kalani Kāwika he inoa e
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King Kāwika Kalākaua
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The greatest of all flowers
(He is) the lightning in the east
That brightens Hawaiʻi|
News reached England
Also heard by the French queen
Who is this flower of high rank?
Kapaʻakea is his father
Tell the refrain
King David, is his name
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Analea Keohokalole
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Caesar Kapa`akea
Source: King's Hawaiian Melodies Copyright 1930, 43 - This mele inoa for King David Kalākaua (1836-1891) relates how he appealed to England and France for financial aid for Hawaiʻi. He was refused. The people of Hawaiʻi are called flowers. Caesar Kapaʻakea, a great grandson of Chief Kameʻeiamoku was the father of King Kalākaua and High Chiefess, Analea Keohokalole, a counselor to King Kamehameha III, was his mother. Kalākaua ruled from 1874-1891. The sign of the Kalākaua dynasty was the noonday sun symbolized by a flaming torch at midday