ʻUlupalakua (Breadfruit Ripened On The Back)

by John P. Watkins

 

Kaulana mai nei
Aʻo ʻUlupalakua
He ʻīnikiniki ahiahi
Ka home aʻo paniolo

E wehi e kuʻu lei
Aʻo ʻUlupalakua
ʻOnaona me ka ʻawapuhi
He nani maʻoli nō

Haʻina mai ka puana
Aʻo ʻUlupalakua
He ʻīnikiniki ahiahi
Ka home aʻo paniolo

John Piʻilani Watkins

Famous
Is Ulupalakua
The pangs of the cold evening air
The home of the cowboys

My lei is an adornment
Of ʻUlupalakua
The sweet scent of ginger is
Truly beautiful

Tell the refrain
Of ʻUlupalakua
The pangs of the cold evening air
The home of the cowboy

Source: Kamehameha Schools HSI - An ancient Maui chief would send runners to Kipahulu for breadfruit. When they returned with the fruit, it was ripe. The chief called the district Ulupalakua or "breadfruit ripened on the back". The composer visited Ulupalakua, in up-country Maui on the southwestern slopes of Haleakala. He was so impressed by the cold mountain air, the scent of ginger and the cowboys, he composed this mele in 1947, to honor the district. © John P. Watkins Edited by Dr. Barbara Price