E Ulu - Chant


E ulu kini o ke akua
Ulu a`e o Kâne me Kanaloa
Ulu ka `ôhi`a lau ka wai ka `ie`ie
Ulu a`e ke kua a noho i kona kahu
Eia ka wai la, ka `awa, he wai ola
E ola ia`u i ke kumu
E ola i ka po`o pua`a
E ola i ke paepae
E ola i nâ haumana a pau
Elieli kapu, elieli noa


Increase our knowledge, multitude of gods
Inspire us, Kâne and Kanaloa
Grow and nourish us like the `ôhi`a leaf and the `ie`ie
Inspire the guardian to stay and persevere
Here is the water, the `ceremonial `awa, the water of life
Give life to the source
Give life to the leader
Give life to the hula assistant
Life to all the students
Profound the kapu, profound its lifting


Source: This chant is a prayer to inspire, understand and perform hula correctly. Stanza 3, the `ie`ie was one of 5 plants used on the hula kua`ahu (altar). Stanza 5, `âwa was used as a ceremonial drink.