Eh brah, you’ve heard and sung Hawai’i Pono’i one million times, but what does it really mean? No worry cuz, I going tell you…
Hawaiʻi ponoʻī, (Hawaiʻi’s own true son,)
Nānā i kou mōʻī, (Be loyal to your king,)
Kalani aliʻi, (Your country’s liege and lord)
Ke aliʻi. (The chief.)
Hawaiʻi ponoʻī, (Hawaiʻi’s own true sons,)
Nānā i nā aliʻi, (Look to your chiefs,)
Nā pua muli kou, (The children after you,)
Nā pōkiʻi. (The young.)
Hawaiʻi ponoʻī, (Hawaiʻi’s own true sons,)
E ka lāhui ē, (People of loyal heart,)
ʻO kāu hana nui (The only duty lies)
E ui ē. (Listen and abide.)
Hui: (Chorus:)
Makua lani ē, (Father above us all,)
Kamehameha ē, (Kamehameha e,)
Na kaua e pale, (Who guarded in the war,)
Me ka ihe. (With his spear.)