Kuʻu lei ‘awapuhi melemele
I puīa me ke ʻala onaona
Hoʻohihi ka manaʻo iā ʻoe
E kuʻu lei ʻawapuhi

You’re as lovely as can be
My yellow ginger lei
My heart is yearning for you
My ʻawapuhi

Haʻina ʻia mai
Ana ka puana
Kuʻu lei ʻawapuhi melemele
Hoʻoheno i ka puʻuwai

My yellow ginger lei
Reveals sweet, soft fragrance
Entranced with thoughts of you
My ginger lei

My ginger

The story is told
Of
My yellow ginger lei
Cherished in the heart