Hawaiian Music Archives

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.)

You might have heard this amazing rendition of Aloha ‘Oe by Tia Carrere in Lilo & Stitch. What are the lyrics and what do they mean?

Aloha ‘Oe Video from Lilo & Stitch

Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali (Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs)

Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele (As it glided through the trees)

E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko (Still following ever the bud)

Pua `âhihi lehua o uka (The ʻāhihi lehua of the vale)

Hui (Chorus)

Aloha `oe, aloha `oe (Farewell to thee, farewell to thee)

E ke onaona noho i ka lipo (The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers)

One fond embrace, (One fond embrace,)

A ho`i a`e au (‘Ere I depart)

Until we meet again (Until we meet again)

`O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai (Sweet memories come back to me)

Ke hone a`e nei i (Bringing fresh remembrances)

Ku`u manawa (Of the past)

`O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha (Dearest one, yes, you are mine own)

A loko e hana nei (From you, true love shall never depart)

Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani (I have seen and watched your loveliness)

Nâ pua rose o Maunawili (The sweet rose of Maunawili)

I laila hia`ia nâ manu (And ’tis there the birds of love dwell)

Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo (And sip the honey from your lips)