Kuʻu Waʻa (My Canoe) - Mary K. Pukui

He waʻa koʻu, he waʻa iki
Hoe, hoe, hoe e
Hoe au i ka lawaiʻa
Hoe, hoe, hoe e

Noho au me ka mākoi
Hoe, hoe, hoe e
Kuʻu pū me ka ʻupena
Hoe, hoe, hoe e

Hoʻi mai me kuʻu waʻa
Hoe, hoe, hoe e
Ua piha me ka iʻa
Hoe, hoe, hoe e

Hauʻoli ko ka hale
Hoe, hoe, hoe e
Nui ka ʻono o ka iʻa
Hoe, hoe, hoe e

I have a canoe, a small canoe
Paddle, paddle, paddle away
I paddle out to go fishing
Paddle, paddle, paddle away

I sit with my hook and line
Paddle, paddle, paddle away
I also let down my net
Paddle, paddle, paddle away

Then I return with my canoe
Paddle, paddle, paddle away
It is filled with fish
Paddle, paddle, paddle away

Those at home are filled with happiness
Paddle, paddle, paddle away
How delicious are the fishes
Paddle, paddle, paddle away


Source: Mana Collection