Ke Ala Nui Liliha - Traditional


Listen to Ke Ala Nui Liliha on YouTube - www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LcA_V1AzQQ

E walea aʻe ana au
I ka ʻolu kou haʻihaʻi
O ke ala nui Liliha
Iʻa home pua ʻōhai
O ke kani a nā manu
I ka pili anu ahiahi
O he ana ke aloha me ka ipo
Kuʻu aloha aʻe kēia

ʻAkāhi au aha ʻike
I ka wai aniani aʻe
Lana a mālie nei
I ka luna o Hauhau koʻi
O ka noe a ka ua liʻiliʻi
I ke kulukulu aumoe
Mehe ala la eʻî mai ana
Kāua pū i laila

Boki and Kuini Liliha
I am accustomed to (I am)
Your recurring, vibrations
O great Liliha road
This home of the dwarf royal poinciana flower
Sweet sound of the birds
Huddled close in the chilly evening
To be with the sweetheart
This way, my love

The first time I saw
The clear, refreshing water
Floating calmly
Above Hauhau
Of the misty little rain drops
Night has passed swiftly
It seemed say
The two of us there, together

Source: G.Cooke collection - Liliha Street was named for Chiefess Kuini Liliha (1802-Aug. 25, 1839), daughter of Ulumaheihei Hoapili & Kalilikauoha. A chiefess in the ancient Hawaiian tradition, she was the wife of Boki Kamaʻuleʻule, governor of Oʻahu and granddaughter of Kahekili ʻAhumanu, king of Maui and Oʻahu. Boki and Liliha were members of the entourage that accompanied Kamehameha II and Queen Kamehamalu on a diplomatic tour of the United Kingdom, visiting King George III in 1824. The entire delegation contracted measles on the trip, resulting in the deaths of King Kamehameha II, Queen Kamehamalu and five chiefs. Boki and Liliha survived the measles and returned to Hawaiʻi with what was left of the delegation. Boki incurred large debts and the high chiefs agreed the government was not responsible for debts accummulated by Boki and Liliha. Boki attempted to cover their debts by traveling to the New Hebrides to harvest sandalwood. Before departing, he entrusted the administration of Oʻahu, the legal guardianship and sole trusteeship of Kamehameha III and his properties to his wife, Liliha. This was opposed by Kaʻahumanu, the queen regent, and caused a rift between Liliha and Kaʻahumanu. Boki and his entourage of chiefs were lost at sea in 1829, leaving Liliha permanently in charge of the administration of Oʻahu. She served as governor of Oʻahu from 1829 to1831. After the disappearance of her husband, Liliha became embroiled in the dispute over freedom of religion in the kingdom. Boki and Liliha were among the first chiefs to convert to the suppressed Catholic Church. This angered the queen regent, who was baptized into the Congregational church and wanted all chiefs to accept Protestantism. Kaʻahumanu influenced Kamehameha III to ban the Roman Catholic Church from the islands and forcibly deport the priests and lay brothers of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Native Hawaiians who converted to Catholicism were persecuted, beaten and imprisoned. When Kaʻahumanu realized the converts were steadfast and persevered, even in suppression, she stripped Liliha of her power. The intervention of the French government, Captain Cyrille Pierre Théodore Laplace and Kamehameha III's proclamation of the "Edict of Toleration" finally allowed native Hawaiians the right of membership in the Catholic Church. It is believed Liliha died of poison, mixed in her liquor bottle, by a relative. Beloved by the common people, there was great lamentation at the news of her death. translated by Kanani Mana