Mahina ʻO Hoku 

ʻAuhea wale ʻoe
Mahina ʻo Hoku
Hōʻike aʻe ʻoe
I kou nani

Ua laʻi nā kai
Mehameha nā pali
ʻO ʻoe a ʻo wau
E hoʻoipoipo nei

E moani ke ʻala
O ka pua hīnano
E ʻapo mai ʻoe
Me kou aloha

Haʻina kou inoa
Mahina ʻo Hoku
Ke noho nani maila
Mauna lani kiʻekiʻe

Mahina ‘O Hoku - Where are you full moon of the night, reveal your beauty

The seas are calm, the cliffs are lonely but you and I are making love

How fragrant is the hinano blossom that captivates you my love

Tell of your name full moon of the night, there beauty sits high above the heavenly mountains

****per He Mele Aloha, song refers to the moon the night before its fullest phase, Mahealani. Circa 1940’s

***per Huapala, composer is Lillian Awa

Po La’ila’i

Kāua i ka holoholo

I ka pō mahina laʻilaʻi

E kilo hoʻonanea

I nā hōkū o ka lani

Kō mai ana ke ʻala

O ka pua ʻo ka pīkake

I halihali ʻia mai

E ka makani kolonahe

Hoʻolono ana i ke kani

Honehone a ka ʻukulele

Me ka mele hoʻohauʻoli

Hoʻolana i ka puʻuwai

Huli aku kāua i uka

I ka aʻā nā kukui

Ua like me nā hōkū

E kau ana i nā pali

Haʻina mai ka puana

No ka pō mahina laʻilaʻi

E kilo hoʻonanea

I nā hōkū o ka lan

Haʻina mai ka puana

No ka po mahina laʻilaʻi

Ho`olono ana i ke kani

Honehone a ka ʻukulele

Po La’ila’i - Let’s go for a walk on a clear moonlit night to gaze with interest at the stars in the heavens

A fragrance is brought to us of the pikake blossom carried here by a gentle breeze

Listen to the sound of the sweet refrains of the ukulele with its cheerful melody uplifting the heart

Let’s turn to the uplands, towards the bright lights like the many stars nestling on the hillside

This is my song for the moonlit night, listening to the sound of the sweet refrains of the ukulele

***per He Mele Aloha, Pukui was inspired by the touch of the moonlight through the bedroom window as she drifted off to ssleep one night. Written in collaboration with Maddy Lam, the two formed a songwriting partnership. ***per Huapala, copyright 1958 Criterion Music Corp - Composed 1955; words by Mary Pukui, music by Maddy Lam

Celebration of Hawaiian Culture: Merrie Monarch Hula Festival

Kumu Hula: Nani Lim-Yap

Choreographer: Carrington Manaola Yap

Photographer: Ranae Keane-Bamsey

Venue: University of Hawaii Hilo

Makeup: Alan Cool & Team

Hair Artist: Minerva Tabucbuc & Team

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